Man Up! - Wrestling With the Devil

This is Rodney from the masculine journey podcast. We explored manhood within Jesus Christ your chosen Truth Network podcast starting in just a few seconds.

Sit back and enjoy it, share it, most of all, thank you for listening and choosing The Truth Podcast Network. This is the Truth Network. Once a world champion wrestler, now a champion for Christ. Once the Russian nightmare. Now the devil's worst nightmare and your tagteam partner, Noah keyed a call. It's time to walk the Russian nightmare. Well, now let's be accurate. The devil's worst nightmare. Have a question for you. Have you ever wrestled with the devil will my guest today is none other than WWE WWF WCW wrestling superstar in a world champion. The total package lacks Luger separated from the wrestling world. He and I for 11 years. The Lord reunited us back together 14 years ago as tagteam partners, not in the squared circle, but as ministry partners. I want to welcome to the show, not the total package, but the whole complete package lacks Luger lecture is so great to have you with me today. Why don't my friend, but well let's say that we we of course you know we had a lot of history back in the in the day you had a stellar career back in the 80s and 90s even leading into the that the decade of the 2000's and and tell our listeners out there. Just give them a just a quick synopsis of of perhaps what that career was like before we talk about your transition into thousand and six. Can you give our listeners just a snapshot of that my life in general.

Well, just your your your career that you just a snapshot of your career would doubly see www.WWE air, but my career was Garrett arose quickly like that fourth of July fireworks going out on no I don't world title one of Polygram arrive I am. It was really something. What what were some of what would you say were maybe maybe one or or two highlights of of that crew that really just even when I asked that question just jump out at you just stand out when you look back, I got I get I get that question asked a lot in my you know when I'm interviewed and what what would you say what would be your answer to your one particular match of one particular thing or or maybe two that are great memory or stand out for you like I had everything early in my career. Member of the intermix for art that got group with correct plan planter on a manager that was a real high point in my career I look back now I would tell my neck expressed to her with WW now In July for an incredible moment, then I say thank would be the one I wore in general but ethically I wrote title would not live a national back in 97 microfilm 601 97, when will I live on on Monday night when I wore a big moment as well and out so many I called everybody but it was fairly narrow down my life in a place that I can relate to that II understand that even even as I'm asked that question on different different interviews and boy just those three emits no certainly, I'm sure for the avid wrestling fan out there. I just brought them back to to some wonderful memories and… I am a little tribe decided by disappointed my not disappointed. The unit I have a a lot of history together. But… I'm joking of course. But we did have up a pretty memorable match that comes to mind. And in Greensboro North Carolina and if I'm not mistaken in a cage where where you became the United States heavyweight champion.

I'm sure you recall that that that event that night that I was there was always a crowd that are not found in credit without all the time. I remember right, but that was that it was also that we highlight for sure my neck by the way I forgiven you in my neck. I was I was injured for three, four months after that Matt well is to borrow a phrase.

Review wrestling is not an exact science, and so that I would think they got your bucket because for the listener out there. It certainly was not intentional by by any means in thankfully you recovered from it and went and did go on to have a stellar 15 year career, but that brings back fond memory to me. I'm yeah I've never that matching in Greensboro and then of course no meant many others, and in you know the presenting at a brand-new US belt you in Phoenix, Arizona. At one point in but more than anything. I'm just grateful for the for the opportunity to be able to step in the ring with you and especially with the career that you had and so thank you for sharing some of those wrestling memories with us though that I joke. But realize that.

At any moment to match my cake 2031, on the far left or slammed her phone into the cage and at night and anyone of those it may not abet you as my opponent, all are take on and canning. We entered that as well. Yeah, absolutely. And I think I think more more people are appreciating you the fact that in the not just the RF political abilities and understanding. Now you know that it is a form of of entertainment that there is a very physical side to that business that injuries are very real and some of which have been career ending for some guys and so very valid point for you to point out to to our listeners and so appreciate you sharing a little bit of that portion of your life in it and I would step away from resting at the tail end of of 1992 and inefficiently in my mind retire from wrestling and in the beginning part of 1993. Note no fanfare of sorts. It was just a decision I made. Walking away under my own terms. Some have coined me that the Barry Sanders of of pro wrestling. The football fan made me appreciate or understand that but that decision of mine in walking away. I know sometimes when you when you introduce me. I have to cut a chuckle to myself because I'm not mistaken you like okay you said in the past is an idiot with what you doing walking away you have your thoughts when you first heard that I stepped away from pro wrestling background now at that time always around the world. But like globally what the expansion of what we now call the global and turn our contract or your pain exploded with an out pay scale like to. I mean it was when we start making all the sudden and walked away just when that period of time… Your mind without doubt a quick neck on my understand Dr. Craig Wright is not appreciate what you know sometimes when you're in a decent evil would tag teaming together as we doing today. AA had it because it just brings me back to brings me back to those days and and for not me, not knowing what what the future held for me at that particular time now. As you know, in many of the listeners. Nor maybe some out there listening don't know you will be about 11 months later that I would surrender my heart to Jesus by myself at an altar given my life to the Lord. 17. October 1993 that would set me that was set me on a trajectory that would set me on a path that I would say, never in a million years what would I ever of of thought I would be doing what I'm doing now whether it's the broadcasting of of this show, or traveling. Now the globe as you mentioned traveling globally and sharing the good news of the gospel, but that decision separated you and I from from essentially thinking 1993 I think I saw you again at the Charlotte Coliseum in 1995. But then I would see you again this near as I can recall until June 2006 back in Phoenix, Arizona. But not this this time not not not to hit you upside the head with a belt, but we were at a conference hosted by Larry and Wendy care, Chuck called aim international athletes, international ministries, and you and I would be would come back together meet once again, basically about 11 years later, at this Christian athletes conference because something happened in your life. In April 2006. You want to take up a couple minutes and just share for our listeners.

So what happened now brand-new Christian higher net conference.

I got a road map to salvation wrestling career will well make undermining Obama at a very what people look at is a very successful full life. So I got something like an empty heart but I did not have because I grew up on church and never had any kind of relationship are really knowledge of religious people and in the course of I spoke to worldly standards and everything I found in pursuing what you call pleasure seeking chasing the wind. When I share everything with them. I kissed Her with a lot of instructor, which I'm sure a lot of people are familiar with all young successful, sometimes famous people, alcohol women, I went down the know now is basically the path of the structure was really in a life-and-death struggle with those things. 01206 and out of jail on felony drug charges taken a complete downward spiral that people didn't know I welcome a lot of people really gone downhill about really. At that point any point and it felt to Jeff Chapman back in 3 to 200 commercial spiritual dad, Dr. Brady, I went to service and earned a end of a certain amount which was 724 227 like that of the sand on the rock. Basically, Jesus being the rock is a great quote by Edward Moats on Christ the solid rock I stand all about the sinking sand. I realized that service life. Missing to Dr. Brady speak on sinking sand that landed me altar call was a Baptist church, and I wrapped the back door.

My heart was pounding. I do know what happened that the Holy Spirit got a hold of me. I ran out the door and escaped. But the Holy Spirit probably back to hotel at time and a week later the same hotel room overdosed coming back then in high risk lifestyle living after Steve came over and I need a conflict wrong with me. He came over to share the gospel and me got on that same hotel room on the same context of parking on and I Jesus rendered him.

He became a large figure I might have never been famous for that happiness is gone yeah I like how you say, like that's a such a powerful story. I like sometimes you say you feel like you are power wash from the inside out and in all yeah yeah I just said that that that cleansing and you know the answer. Such a amazing story for those who may be unfamiliar with your story. I mean you just start giving us a snapshot today. I mean it's there's so much more to your story in it and that's that's in book form right people could could get that book out there right was the name of your book now wrestling with the devil and and you know you're out there you want to hear more of Alexis Triano. I'm telling you he's just given you a glimpse into his life and in the really is so much more that I believe that you will find fascinating up about his about his story, wrestling with the devil. So you know don't go on Amazon go where you need to go to find find that book bookstores and and I get yourself a copy that book and so so you have this life changing transformation this if you will say this spiritual birth which by the way, speaking of birth.

We just wish you a happy birthday today my friend happy birthday to you happy birthday to you, my birthday, my mother, like that was out waiting for Gordon equity I know now and really my special day. Now it really April 23. My spiritual court I transformation by the grace and mercy got into eternity. I really might like to come by big guilt birthday celebration my my other birthday becomes a side note, speak of. Yes no well and and that's a I just love the Lord connecting us together because we're in. In many ways so much alike in and certainly on the same page with that as well. My birthdays in my physical birth is in March, but either 17, October 1993 is the date that I celebrate. More than anything and so so I still wanted to at least wish you that that that that happy birthday but speaking of that, through that decision. Pastor Steve Askins Dr. Brady becoming a mentor of yours. The Lord reconnect reconnected Nesta back together and in Arizona there at the aim conference at and from that point on.

From 2000 in sex really, till present day you we've just again when I said in my introduction I really meant it that you're one of my biggest inspirations because of not only just how you walked your journey with Jesus out, but even the adversity and things that you have have gone through and at and overcome. Just like Bible.

The Bible talks about. We are more than over comers can take just a minute lax and then again I know is just a snapshot but no, not long after your salvation you you had to pretty you had something happened that that really open your eyes to really do want to be the brevity of life, but even the significance of of health right can you just take a minute share that with our listeners want to salvation out the door that could really start after my liquid drama didn't change that) aperture I had got so money would have to say that you're not leading up to my injury, my spinal cord injury, which is I know what you're referring to people after Steve and Dr. Frank just giant yourself. You became a wonderful incredible mentor to me port in my life and discipled me and and watered me and my roots. Can you tell me how to pray or not apply to my life.

So thankfully I had some kind of foundation because your nap later notes that late 07, cord injury, and it was. I woke up in a hotel room paralyzed the heavy shoulder trap and got the night before something feel right at woke up. I think that could move back to my hotel door down ship me off 911 to emergency room on California damper which is a credible place in the diagnosis swelling in my spinal cord and not sure till this day. Why they set out to be a quadriplegic. The rest of my life.

24 hour care painting fed some and helping to everything that was quick to point the big warrior for Christ, tonight I was I thought would be a quadriplegic dressed my life. Well, to it's going quite a story.

Again, I know you got of the just a few minutes left ear and ends. That's why am encouraging you to pick up a copy of Lex's book to really read his whole story, but from that, you know, just the largest in connecting our hearts together. We began to do a variety of different ministries together in 2015 we we actually a hero who spent almost a year together. You know, living under the same roof and and and spent time just in front of the Lord and in seeking God's direction and guidance in it and got birth the vision for us. It is given us favor with man and is we have a real hard for man again another connection point for us in and out of that came came some conferences in our camp which which are you and I are blessed to be able to co-facilitate called call man camp and then one day conferences, the local churches and communities will bring bring that that that conference a call man up and imagine that it's time to man up and but these camps lecture you on just take a second and just share with the folks of the vision there was to bring men in and equip him and what what's our goal of the man can't permit for men listening out there what what why should they consider, the man camp outside of the opportunity spent time course would you not, but outside without encouragement to consider coming to me and I credible I feel different men in particular and we can pack our drawing a mentor to me as well and I was just so thrilled to be a part of the idea of a man camp with some other men's event and were always talking about the highlights of no doubt that there were certain things emphasized at the event, but you and I always talk about the whole man meeting mentally, thickly and spiritually. Spiritually, the most important thing the whole man meeting to cure the temple with exercise and nutrition document? Take care of him so never really anything at all that and how to best take care of the barn nutritionally and exercise lies and also the mental and emotional struggle. This man go to some emphasized that, but we never wanted to really count them with all three and that was kind of bird provision of this right. I think that anybody will attend the man Is going to get something that they've never really experienced before. I think the wholeness of meaning mind body and spirit. Now that's good. Yeah being you whole man living holy lives wholly available under the Lord and our goal is to send those men back to their ladies into their families and into their communities and their businesses no better equipped to be the man of God that God is calling them to be and so let's it says such again a privilege of having you on the show with me today and and thank you for sharing some of your story just looking forward to how we are able to team up in the future and in just the build the kingdom of God together. Thank you my friend forever. Thank God, will God bless you my brother and have a awesome birthday celebration. Well folks. Let's look at the total package, so grateful to have him on with us today and I would just take another minute or two and just share with you a story I told you from time to time.

You know I have people that whether through social media, twitter Instagram, whether it's through Facebook or were they just directly email me the get they get it. My email: for christ@gmail.com they'll email me questions, or sometimes I'll email me stories and and I'm just inspired by the stories and sometimes even just the questions and the opportunity to be able to speak into somebody's life and this one comes from from Juan up up in the the East Coast new New York area and adjusted indicated just want to say hello and and check in with you and I want to thank you for the impact you've had on my life. I remember watching wrestling at the age of four and being amazed by it.

I saw you wrestle Ric flair in 1986 and you want me to wear to become the world champion course that that that happened that particular match but all the matches that were for me. You must must see events that in 2016.

I got the up to meet you at a convention in New York.

I still do legends, conventions and signings, and what a dream come true. That was we talked for a while and he said the Lord asked me if I could pray impressed upon me to pray for you and so we prayed, we lifted up the name of Jesus right in the middle of a very crowded wrestling convention. We pray while only God can cause something like that to happen. Since then, we become friends inspired. You've inspired me to chase after my dreams and never quit four years later, I began to teach and to add that the last part of that story is. He said many times I said to myself I said not to give up or or or not to quit. Thank you for the inspiration.

Thank you for caring about the life of one of your lifetime fans, who is now your friend. And last but not least, especially grateful for the concern for my father that you showed as he battled cancer last year and tell your known to wrestling fans worldwide, which are used to such an incredible person and and so down to earth and can't thank you enough for all of your inspiration then and I will keep you my prayers, Juan.

Are from upended New York area and on that note, you have a thought. If you have a prayer request. If you have a story you know email that to me reach out to me through social media and I want to thank you for being a listener today and listen, you have a God blessed day okay take care men.

I would like to challenge each of you to consider spending five days with less liver and I am pursuing the heart of ladies your listening will send your men home with God. Godly husbands and on you and your blessing and am signed up today at band camp.info pastors. If you would like to bring Holland for Christ ministries and man up conference to your community protocol off.org and email.

Remember this. It's time to man up. This is the Truth Network