WWE has a protracted historical past of incorporating patriotism into their storylines.

For instance, Sgt. Slaughter’s iconic rivalry towards The Iron Sheik had this very theme at its core. Their Boot Camp match stays one of the vital brutal but superior shows of storytelling within the historical past of this enterprise.

It’s true that many superstars have employed the pink, white and blue gimmick on this trade, however just a few have been really been capable of evoke the patriotic spirit. These are the 5 most patriotic stars in WWE historical past.

“The All-American” Lex Luger

Lex Luger was pushed to the moon following Hulk Hogan’s departure from WWE in 1993. The previous Narcissist grew to become the fan favourite towards the then-world champion Yokozuna. Luger would bodyslam the superheavyweight on the USS Intrepid on July 4 after a number of superstars failed tried and failed.

Regardless of the spectacular feat, Luger couldn’t solidify his run as “The All-American” due to his controversial win over Yokozuna at SummerSlam 1993. He did captain “All-Individuals” towards Yokozuna’s “Overseas Fanatics” at Survivor Collection later that 12 months. Luger, Undertaker and The Steiners would go on to beat Yokozuna, Crush, Ludvig Borga, and Quebecer Jacques.

The Undertaker reinvented himself throughout WWE’s hottest interval

The Undertaker will perpetually be one in every of WWE’s biggest gimmicks. Taker would reinvent himself a number of instances in the course of the Angle Period. He’d debut his “American Badass” character in the course of the closing moments of Judgment Day 2000. American Badass Taker could be a significant fixture on WWE tv until Survivor Collection 2003, when his “little brother” Kane helped Vince McMahon defeat him of their notorious Buried Alive match.

Whereas Taker admittedly loved enjoying the ass kicking American Badass, he believes the gimmick would’ve struggled to outlive in the long term. “With one thing just like the American Badass, there’s not a complete lot of locations to evolve to. I’m an enormous badass biker who will get in fights and talks sh*t. There’s simply not a whole lot of locations to go along with that,” Taker stated on his Six Ft Below podcast in November 2023.

“The Olympic Hero” Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle‘s Olympic Gold Medal win in 1996 is likely one of the most talked-about accolades within the historical past of sports activities leisure. A 28-year-old Kurt defeated Iran’s Abbas Jadidi with a “damaged freakin’ neck.” Angle’s legit wrestling credentials got here in useful following his transfer to professional wrestling within the late nineties.

WWE gave Angle The Patriot’s theme music to go along with his wrestling presentation. “Medal” would quickly turn into synonymous with “The Olympic Hero,” who went on to have a Corridor of Fame profession in each novice {and professional} wrestling. Whether or not you’re a fan of Kurt Angle or not, this listing of his biggest WrestleMania matches is value testing.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan

U-S-A! U-S-A!

Being a proud patriot was actually Duggan’s gimmick. “Hacksaw” proudly carried a 2×4 and an American flag to the ring all through his embellished profession. He received followers over along with his “U-S-A! U-S-A!” chants all through arenas throughout the globe.

Duggan was one of many largest stars within the Eighties, successful the King Of The Ring title from Randy Savage in 1989. (The crown was defended like a title a number of instances earlier than KOTR grew to become an everyday pay-per-view occasion in 1993.)

Considered one of Duggan’s most iconic appears was really a one-time deal. He teamed with Demolition at SummerSlam 1989 and painted his face with the celebrities and stripes of Outdated Glory. It was fondly remembered sufficient that it was immortalized in motion determine kind in 2016.

Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan outlined the eighties professional wrestling scene. His theme music “I’m an actual American” personified the American Dream. Each professional wrestling fan who grew up on that period had the lyrics memorized. From his battles with Iron Sheik to his feud with Nikolai Volkoff, Hogan was always combating overseas heels whereas telling children to say prayers and eat nutritional vitamins. 

Hogan’s charisma made this patriotic fervor work like appeal over thousands and thousands of his followers world wide. The Hulkster stayed on the prime of the trade for a prolonged time frame earlier than leaping ship to WCW in mid-1993. There, he tried to push by “The Actual American” earlier than turning his again on the followers at WCW Bash on the Seashore 1996.

Additionally learn: Hulk Hogan Teases Working For President: I Know Proper From Unsuitable, Brother