It definitely has gotten more interesting. The downfall I see for Luger, is the extreme environment. If the match stays in the ring, he has a chance, because there's not much Vader could do to take him out of his element. He's smart enough to know that, but the SHWs are all smart enough to know what they need to do as well.
In saying that, you're almost implying that Lex Luger is stupid enough to follow them into the
"Lion's Den". Luger doesn't have to follow them anywhere, and he's smart enough to realize this.
Look at how Luger overcame the odd's of the number's game against the n.W.o. He didn't chase them, he let them come to him, and he dealt with them with force upon entry. He can use that same advantage against any Super Heavyweight who tucks tail and runs for a weapon.
Luger doesn't have to follow them, and both men get a breather if neither engage in chase. The only difference is, the guy (SHW) who runs out to grab a weapon, has to manage to find their way back in.. and Luger can stop them, then get the weapon to boot.
I've said all over these forums that the Torture Rack is terribly under-rated, but it'll be a tough move to pull off on the big men, especially in Denver, and especially with extreme rules. If he gets beat badly enough with the right weapon(s), it'll be tough to pick up anyone, much less a SHW.
Luger has racked Big Show on multiple occasions, in multiple points during the same match. His endurance and pain tolerance are above average. He's shown great strength both through his power, and his ability to withstand huge amounts of punishment.
Because of that, weapons and the Denver effect will take a place, but it'll effect all the others before Luger.
I said it about Shawn, and I'll say it about Luger. He's not used to the extreme environment, and it is a huge disadvantage. His only true equalizer is the Rack, and I've already covered why that may be tough. His "Flying Forearm" is going to be mostly ineffective against 500-600 pound men who can catch him and snap him over their knee. He stands as good a chance as any, but he needs to get through Vader before thinking about Andre or the Show.
Lex Luger is in-un himself, an illegal object. His
"Flying Forearm" was mentioned to having a metal plate in it. I don't know if that was ever a "gimmick" or real, but either way, it should play a role since it was mentioned of him having it.
Luger doesn't even need to leave the ring to use it, either. So dispite not being a hardcore wrestler, it doesn't mean he doesn't have his own weapons.
And how exactly would they "break Luger over their knee"? He uses that forearm in a surprise fashion. They often don't see it coming, and by the time they do, they're suddenly out cold.
How can you say he'll use the Torture Rack to win, but won't expend as much energy? Even if he does it once, if they don't submit, it'll be twice as hard to pick them up a second time. He better hope he can adapt to extreme rules, and get them hurt before he attempts to finish them off.
In a hardcore environment, who's to say Luger will ever need to use it more than once? If he slaps it on early enough, he can hold them in it until they either submit, or he loses strength. And the rack is more unbearable than a fat guy on your shoulders, especially when you have adrenaline rushing through your vains.
Luger does indeed add an element of a twist here. He's stron enough to rack Vader. He got the Giant up before so he can get Vader up. He beat a lot of big men, and that's going to play in his favor. Can he beat Vader? Yes. Will he? I'd be very suprised. Lex was good, Vader was great. This might be asking too much, but all of a sudden Vader isn't invincible anymore.
I'm not quite sure where you get your comparison. Luger has defeated some of the very best, when they were in more of their prime than when Vader beat them.
Luger's also defeated Hulk Hogan, when he was at the top of his best as a heel, in the n.W.o., fighting off an entire faction to do so.
The only surprise that'll happen, is Luger getting a screw job through votes. But I digress. I shall eagerly await Irish's defense of Vader, against the new (what I believe to be) dominate force, in this sub-region.
If only Yokozuna had been in this sub-region...