Over the years we've seen countless versions of the American Hero and just as many variations of the Anti-American character. I'm going to profile some of the greatest wrestlers that have ever fought for, or against, America.
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| "Youuu Magggggotttt!" - Sgt. Slaughter |
The "Sergeant" in Sgt. Slaughter isn't just a gimmick. Slaughter did actually serve as a Sergeant in the armed forces before focusing on professional wrestling. Though he's known more for his role as the American Hero babyface, Slaughter's best work may have been as a heel. One of Slaughter's best heel programs was with Pat Patterson, stemming from a $10,000 Cobra Clutch Challenge. Slaughter would later turn babyface again, become a top star, and then leave the company in 1994 following a dispute over his involvement with the GI Joe toy line.
In 1990, Slaughter returned to the WWF and turned his back on the American fans in one of the most controversial storylines of all time. The US was involved with Iraq in the Middle East, and Slaughter played the role of an Iraqi sympathizer disgusted with the American people. Slaughter was so hated during this time period that he had to travel with a full security team while wearing a bulletproof vest.
Slaughter captured his one and only WWF Championship on January 19th, 1991 when he defeated The Ultimate Warrior at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event. He went on to drop the title to Hogan at WrestleMania VII. Following this loss and a subsequent feud that involved both Hogan and Warrior, Slaughter would flip-flop between face and heel for the rest of his career, eventually settling in as one of the staples of the WWE Legends group. Sgt. Slaughter was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
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| "fuck the tuesday in the ass" -@the_ironsheik |
"Sheiky-baby" hasn't always been the bitter, profane, hilariously-angry man we've grown to know and love over the last few years. Or he just didn't have anywhere to vent until Twitter came around. Either way, The Iron Sheik is one of the best Anti-Americans in the history of pro wrestling.
Other than his infamous Twitter rants, Sheik is probably most well known for ending Bob Backlund's six year run as WWF Champion in 1983. Just four weeks later, he would drop the title to Hogan, essentially giving birth to Hulkamania. Sheik would go on to join forces with Nikolai Volkoff to form one of the greatest Anti-American factions in WWE history. The two would enter the ring to blaring Russian music, and Volkoff would sing a very inspiring version of the Russian National Anthem.
After a 3 year absence from the WWF (he was fired for getting busted doing coke in Jersey with Jim Duggan), Sheik returned as Colonel Mustafa, an Iraqi sympathizer. He would team with Sgt. Slaughter and General Adnan, an Iraqi General, to feud with The Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan. This was the same storyline mentioned above that led to Sgt. Slaughter having to wear a bulletproof vest and ride with a security detail.
The Iron Sheik was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Next up in Part Two: Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Kurt Angle.
@TheAlexArcher
