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Counting Down The Most Patriotic Wrestlers

Counting Down The Most Patriotic Wrestlers

Posted: Jul 4th 2013 By: CMBurnham

Happy Fourth of July!

As you slice the apple pie and gaze at the fireworks, remember the men and women in uniform who have sacrificed their lives by defending our privilege of freedom.

When your favorite hobby features genetic superheroes splitting each other?s skulls against a gigantic steel cage over reasons such as bragging rights,women, or even a Japanese shampoo commercial, you tend to appreciate our daily liberties.

Despite the premiere pro-wrestling company on the planet calling itself World Wrestling Entertainment, you might wonder why this column on competitive athletes appears in the Arts & Entertainment section.

Well, pro-wrestling is the most underrated American art form and some of the most profitable storylines hinge on preserving that art work?s canvas.

In honor of Independence Day, let?s reflect on those art form defenders by counting down the most patriotic wrestlers in history.

10. The Patriot

Unless you watched wrestling before 1998, chances are you?re thinking of Mel Gibson.

As a matter of fact, the Patriot?s sole legacy is that his entrance theme was borrowed and slightly modified for this list?s number one grappler.

Donning the red, white, and blue mask in 1991, the Patriot achieved success as the Patriot in World Championship Wrestling, All Japan, and the Global Wrestling Federation before entering the WWE in the summer of 1997.

In all honestly, the Patriot is the definition of right place, right time.

Bret Hart was waging an international war against America, so it only made sense for the Patriot to defend our nation?s honor.

Unfortunately, a pay-per-view loss to Hart and a torn triceps ended the Patriot?s tour of duty.

9. Jack Swagger/Zeb Colter

Whether you agree with their right-wing sentiment or not, and since they?re portrayed as racist miscreants, you?re not supposed to, Swagger and his manager Colter have spent the past few months fighting for their country.

Well, the way Andrew ?Dice? Clay prefers it.

Pontificating on anti-immigration, the ?All American-American? and his xenophobic mouthpiece gained mainstream attention from Fox News and Glenn Beck for supposedly mocking the Tea Party.

They unbelievably broke character to explain pro-wrestling to the conservative nutcase, and invited him to Monday Night RAW.

Apparently, Beck couldn?t have risked his reputation by appearing on such an outrageous program.

8. Jim Duggan

As I type this, the 34-year-veteran is scheduled for a match in a couple hours in Iowa.

As popular as Joey Chestnut this time of the year, ?Hacksaw? Jim Duggan can be expected on WWE TV marching to the ring with his trusty 2?4, a thumb in the air, and a hearty ?Hooo!? battle cry.

Aside from his father serving as the Glens Falls, New York Chief of Police, I?m not sure why Duggan obsesses over the USA.

Ever since he and arch nemesis Iron Sheik were pulled over for drug paraphernalia, I?ve wondered if Duggan is actually a spy.

7. John Cena

Have you seen The Marine?!

6. Dusty Rhodes

As the common man, Rhodes represented the people in the ring and echoed their sentiments of blue-collar hard times during his mesmerizing interviews.

If a chubby kid with a lisp can become a three-time world heavyweight champion, then he certainly has lived up to the ?American Dream.?

5. John ?Bradshaw? Layfield

While the idea of a manicured, Wall Street mongrel doesn?t exactly evoke images of patriotism, JBL has nothing but respect for our soldiers.

When WWE holds their annual Tribute to the Troops shows during Christmas, you can thank the self-proclaimed ?wrestling god? for pitching the concept to company owner Vince McMahon.

4. Hulk Hogan

If you experienced the Rock ?n? Wrestling Connection of the 80?s, you might be typing a profanity laced comment right now about why the Hulkster should be ranked number one.

Although the power of Hulkamania prevented evil foreigners such as Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, and Andre the Giant from conquering the land of the free, Hogan turning his back on the Hulkamaniacs during the mid 90?s has forever tainted his ?Real American? status.

3. Sgt. Slaughter

Decked out in fatigues with his piercing whistle, the Serge has pledged allegiance to Old Glory in various manners over the years.

When he debuted in the WWE, Slaughter demonstrated his Marine Corps teaching in typical overbearing drill sergeant fashion.

After a brutal feud with the Iron Sheik, who we can all agree by now was the United States? ultimate wrestling enemy, Slaughter earned cheers for his military passion.

Before The Rock enlisted in G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Serge was initiated into the franchise with appearances in comic books, cartoons, and merchandise.

And now we have reached the asterisk in every Slaughter biography where we frown about his Iraqi sympathizer role during the Gulf War.

Damn you, Saddam!

2. Jesse Ventura

For most of his life, Jesse ?The Body? Ventura has served our country in one capacity or another.

Whether in the Navy, in political office, or on TruTV?s Conspiracy Theory, the eccentric hall of famer has fought for truth, justice, and previously owed royalties.

1. Kurt Angle

The ?Wrestling Machine? won the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics with a broken freaking neck.

While you can scoff at pro-wrestling for being fake, Angle?s dedication to America is certainly real.

 

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1

Spotlight in History

  • 1971 Bill Watts def. Dusty Rhodes for the TSW North American Title
  • 2001 Jenna Love became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 2001 Justin Lee def. Dexter Hardaway for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 2012 Crossfire Morrison def. Drake Gallows for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 2012 Kareem Sadat def. Crossfire Morrison for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 2023 Tommy Prince became the TexPro Dynasty Champion
  • 2023 Nashoba became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 2023 Skidz def. Nashoba for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title

Week of Sun 09-20 to Sat: 09-26

  • 09-20 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Title
  • 09-20 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-20 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-20 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 09-20 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2025 Gideon Vane became the EPW International Champion
  • 09-20 2025 Miles Bane became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-20 2026 Neo Genesis def. T. J. Spade for the ASP WTF Title
  • 09-21 1954 Johnny Valentine def. Joe Christie for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-21 2002 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
  • 09-21 2012 Tim Storm became the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-21 2012 Kyra Maya became the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 09-21 2013 Nasty Swag (Robert Lee & Ace Archuleta) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-21 2019 Slice & Kill (Skylar Slice & Killista) def. The Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Brandon Warhawk def. Seth Daniels for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-21 2024 Fuel def. Killbane for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-21 2024 Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) def. Black Flag Rising (Anarchy [2nd] & Faded Ghoul) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Super Crash Brothers (Badger James & Trench Blythe) def. Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2026 T. J. Spade def. Will Chambers for the CAPW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-22 1971 Bill Watts def. Dusty Rhodes for the TSW North American Title
  • 09-22 2001 Jenna Love became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 09-22 2001 Justin Lee def. Dexter Hardaway for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-22 2012 Crossfire Morrison def. Drake Gallows for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2012 Kareem Sadat def. Crossfire Morrison for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2023 Tommy Prince became the TexPro Dynasty Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Nashoba became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Skidz def. Nashoba for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-22 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-23 1974 Tex McKenzie & Johnny Valentine def. The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan & Blackjack Lanza) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 1975 Jose Lothario def. Billy Graham for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-23 2000 Grenade def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2016 Xavior became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 09-23 2016 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 09-23 2016 Psycho Mike def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-23 2017 Kikutaro def. Ryan Davidson for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Dusty Gold def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-23 2017 Double D def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 Drake Gallows def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
  • 09-23 2017 Xavior def. C. J. Ward for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 The Omega (O’Brien & O’Malley) def. The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Skidz def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-23 2023 Koko def. Dan Webber for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2023 Sweetness (Cappuccino Jones & Romeo Reese) def. Southern Aristocracy (Eddie LeVaughn & Anthony Wild) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Killbane def. Leo Fox for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-24 2002 The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-24 2016 Ricky Starks def. Ky-Ote for the IWR Revolutionary Title
  • 09-24 2022 London Calling (Dutch Hagen & Richie Adams) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-24 2022 Martin Justice def. Tyler Watts for the EPW International Title
  • 09-24 2022 Logan Knight def. Kareem Sadat for the EPW All-American Title
  • 09-24 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Danni Bee for the NCWO Women's Title
  • 09-25 1965 Don Kent def. Red McKim for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1981 The Great Kabuki def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 Big Daddy Moore def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 The Casualties of War (Malice & Shrapnel) def. Red Eagle & Night Hawk for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 09-25 1999 Kid Flash def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2004 Michael Barry def. Brandon Groom for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2010 Wage def. Bernie D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-26 1978 Terry Latham & Ricky Fields def. Seigfried Stanke & Kurt Von Hess for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 09-26 1984 Adrian Street def. Terry Taylor for the MSW Television Title
  • 09-26 2004 John O'Malley def. Mr. Brown for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-26 2009 Jeremy Quinn III became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-26 2014 Paul Puertorico def. Matt Majestic for the SRPW United States Title
  • 09-26 2020 Brian Dixon def. Ethan Cole for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 09-26 2020 The Ritual (Samedi & Shadow Gemini) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-26 2025 Riley Grinn def. Tommy Dean for the BUW No Pressure Title
09-22
  • Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd Today!
  • Doug Somers Sep 22nd Today!
  • Harley D Sep 22nd Today!
  • Red River Brawler Sep 22nd Today!
  • Satine Sep 22nd Today!
  • Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
  • Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
  • O'Malley Sep 23rd
  • Kai Fayden Sep 24th
  • Joe Jones Sep 24th
  • Len Rossi Sep 24th
  • John J. Bishop Sep 24th
  • Jason Bruce Sep 24th
  • Connor Crunk Sep 24th
  • Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
  • Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
  • Toots Estes Sep 25th
  • Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th
  • Chief Mike Sep 25th
  • Kendo Nagasaki Sep 26th
  • Lone Eagle Sep 26th
  • Clifton Clinstock Sep 26th
  • BB Sep 26th
  • Ka$haNova Sep 26th
  • Jhamil O$Neal Sep 26th
  • Chris Matthews Sep 26th
  • Ben Miller Sep 27th
  • Tyler Cordingley Sep 27th
  • Angel Camacho Sep 27th
  • Alec Bisogno Sep 27th
  • Kamille Sep 28th
  • Trey Count Sep 28th
  • Rip Tyler Sep 28th
  • Tommy Prince Sep 28th
  • Billy Ray [2nd] Sep 28th
  • Scott Lee Sep 28th
  • David Sammartino Sep 29th
  • Ann Casey Sep 29th
  • Skandar Akbar Sep 29th
  • Bang Bang Bennett Sep 29th
  • Seth Coburn Sep 30th
  • Marlboro Slim Sep 30th
  • Fred Urban Sep 30th
  • Raymon Downey Sep 30th
  • Lady Starwind Sep 30th
  • Kidd Riggs Sep 30th
  • Hector Guerrero Oct 1st
  • Cold Blooded Chris Oct 2nd
  • Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
  • Waldo Von Erich Oct 2nd
  • Funnybone Oct 2nd
  • James Southard Oct 2nd
  • Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
  • Mike Foxx Oct 2nd
  • Don Fargo Oct 3rd
  • Johnny TV Oct 3rd
  • Crystal White Oct 3rd
  • Tim Geohagen Oct 4th
  • Bobby Fulton Oct 4th
  • Violent V Oct 4th
  • Dick Hutton Oct 4th
  • P. Y. Chu-Hi Oct 4th
  • Jay Strongbow, Sr. Oct 4th
  • Studd Lee Oct 4th
  • Abyss Oct 4th
  • T-Arsenal Oct 4th
  • Dennis Heflin Oct 5th
  • Joaquin Wilde Oct 5th

More Look Back In History

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