10 Most Controversial Storylines Of WWE's PG Era
2. Jack Swagger, Zeb Colter And "We The People" (2013)
WWE channeled its inner Tea Partier in 2013, creating characters in Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter that strongly supported the deportation of illegal immigrants.
The duo voiced their disapproval of Mexicans and pledged allegiance to the United States via their "we, the people" taunt. The act was a reaction on WWE's part to real world issues and, as history tells us, their portrayal of those issues typically result in controversy.
This was no different.
Colter was outstanding, an old-school wrestling mind who understood how to elicit reactions through promo work. Swagger was at his best as an in-ring performer, motivated with a renewed push.
However, the portrayal of a real political issue, affecting the lives of so many, came across as far more over-the-top and cartoonish than it should have.
It ultimately did nothing to help Swagger and, before long, him and Zeb settled into the midcard where they languished. What started off very strong, with superb promos and focused work by all involved, devolved into a storyline that offended more than it benefited the Superstar it was intended to.
Swagger's ill-timed arrest for speedin' and weedin' didn't help matters...