The Best All-American Heroes and Anti-American Villains of All Time

by Alex Archer

Part One | Part Two

Two of the most successful and widely used wrestling persona's of all time have been the classic American Hero and his counterpart: the Anti-American.  There's no mystery as to why these characters get over so well as babyfaces or why they draw so much heat as heels; the audience can easily connect with them.  The wrestlers, the promoters, and the broadcast team have one goal and that's to make you care about the plight of the hero.  What better way to pull at an American's heartstrings and connect them to the story than to have an evil character attack the values or morals of Americans?  It sets up the hero to come in, wave his flag, say his prayers, eat his vitamins, and defend America's honor.

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.

"You do not boo an Olympic Gold Medalist!"

Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle won gold for the US at the 96 Olympics, and is the only Olympic gold medalist to ever compete in professional wrestling.  Not only is he the only Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, he also did it with a damn near broken neck.  It's like the American Hero storyline wrote itself.

Or so you'd think.

Back in '99 when Angle debuted, the WWE knew it's key demographic wouldn't get behind an American Hero.  It was the age of the anti-heroes.  Stone Cold and the nWo were thriving.  The WWE made the decision to have Angle portray a cocky, arrogant American.  Angle would constantly stress his three I's: Intensity, Integrity, and Intelligence.  The fans hated Angle and serenaded him with a sing-song "you suck" chant to the tune of his theme music.

Although Angle never relied solely on an Anti-American shtick, his work as a heel revolved around the fact that he was an American hero, and that meant he was better than everyone else. 

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"HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

Duggan was involved in a couple of feuds that played off of his patriotic character over the years. The most notable would be his debut feud with Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik. Duggan would hit the ring before Volkoff and Sheiks' matches would begin to interrupt Volkoff singing the Russian National Anthem.  Surprisingly enough, Duggan would eventually join forces with Volkoff and take on the Orient Express 3 years later.

If you were to play the word association game and you said "Hacksaw Jim Duggan", you'd undoubtedly hear one of three responses: 2x4, "USA!", "Hoooooo!", or American flag.  Or if you're asking a smartass, "cocaine with The Iron Sheik".

Although he is one of the most popular wrestlers of all time and a member of the WWE Hall of Fame (2011), Duggan never won the WWF Championship.  In fact, he only fought for the title once when he defeated Sgt. Slaughter by disqualification, allowing Slaughter to retain the belt.

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@TheAlexArcher | @FTLOW_Official