The Unlikely Champion: Would Lex Luger Have Won the WWF Championship at WrestleMania 10 if He Defeated Yokozuna at SummerSlam in 1993?

Lex Luger's rise to the WWF Championship was short-lived and plagued with controversy. This hypothetical scenario explores what might have happened if Lex Luger defeated the legendary martial artist, Yokozuna, at SummerSlam 1993 by pinfall instead of losing the World title to him in a less glamorous fashion. Would Luger have gone on to become the champion at WrestleMania 10?

Luger's Emergency Ascension

When Hulk Hogan left the WWF, Lex Luger was brought in as an emergency fix. His entry into the storyline was meant to cover up for Hogan, who was replaced by the Hart family. A storyline was pitched where Hogan would feud with Yokozuna over the summer, leading to a Hart/Hogan feud, with Luger's patriotic branding meant to go hand in hand with Hogan, who was often referred to as the Real American.

After Hogan lost the World title to Yokozuna in a manner that did not do justice to his efforts, it was planned that Hogan would retaliate by slamming Yokozuna on the USS Intrepid, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, before embarking on a tour to have fans clamor for a SummerSlam rematch. However, reality diverged from the plan.

The Putting It All Together

For Luger to have become champion, it is clear that he would have needed to excel in the role and catch the fans' attention rather than remaining a bland, generic patriot babyface. The storyline with Yokozuna was a quick patch job, and fans desired to see Yokozuna lose the title, which worked much better than having Luger in a prolonged title reign.

So, for Luger to have become champion, he would have needed to transition into the role and become a compelling face, excelling in the role as he took the mantle from Hogan. If Fight! (Sinfault) thinks:

Survivor Series and Royal Rumble Simulations

In terms of Survivor Series', the storyline of the match between Yokozuna and Undertaker in the casket match would have remained the same. The Royal Rumble, on the other hand, would have seen a twist in the Luger storyline. Since Luger was an up-and-coming star, it is reasonable to assume that he would have retained the title despite the intense competition. The actual Royal Rumble match might have seen a slightly different twist, with different competitors, such as Shawn Michaels, being considered for a shot at the title.

The Royal Rumble and Beyond

However, when it came to the Royal Rumble, the storyline ideas from Survivor Series would have to be altered. Since Luger was performing exceptionally well, it is possible he may have held onto the title, meaning there may not have been a need for Bret Hart to become the champion at WrestleMania 10. A more likely scenario would be that the Royal Rumble match itself would feature a three-way elimination match between Bret Hart, Owen Hart, and Yokozuna.

At the Royal Rumble event, Owen Hart and Bret Hart would need to smooth over their issues and perform as a team. However, this would not be enough to overshadow Yokozuna. Despite their efforts, the Harts would likely be left facing Yokozuna, resulting in a thrilling conclusion, which sets the stage for a compelling casket match at Survivor Series.

Ultimately, the fate of the World title and the trajectory of the WWF would have been significantly altered if Lex Luger had defeated Yokozuna at SummerSlam 1993 by pinfall. Such a win would have ignited Luger's career, making him a formidable champion and setting the stage for an unforgettable series of events leading up to WrestleMania 10.