10 Weirdest Patriotic Moments In WWE
Most people celebrate Independence Day with burgers and fireworks. WWE does things differently.
WWE likes to brand itself as a global company, one with an entire Universe of fans, but for decades, it has draped itself in the patriotic trappings of the United States.
From all-American flag waving heroes like Hulk Hogan, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and The Patriot Del Wilkes to right-wing border-patrolling heels like JBL and Zeb Colter, and even the dastardly foreign heels that get cheap heat by insulting America, barely a day goes by without a U-S-A chant prompted by some face or heel.
Sometimes, the WWE shows its patriotism in less self-serving ways. The WWE held the first mass gathering of its kind only two days after the 9/11 attacks, sending a powerful statement of unity across the airwaves, and declaring that Americans would not live in fear. The yearly Tribute to the Troops often sends WWE superstars to far-flung lands in order to entertain members of the U.S. military serving overseas, and it's a wonderful gesture to the brave, hardworking men and women of the armed forces.
But other times, WWE celebrates its patriotic spirit in more peculiar fashion. Today, let's look at the ten weirdest patriotic moments in WWE.
(And don't worry, there will be no mentions of Donald Trump in this article.)
10. Bodyslamming Yokozuna On An Aircraft Carrier
We start off this list with one of the most effective patriotic moments in WWE history. That doesn't make it any less bizarre.
Less than a month after capturing the WWF World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Hulk Hogan (thanks to an exploding camera, long story), the massive Yokozuna commemorated his victory by hosting a bodyslam challenge aboard the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier.
Many athletes accepted the challenge, only to falter when faced with the bulk of the enormous champion. Finally, Lex Luger emerged as a surprise entrant, arriving by helicopter before slamming the superheavyweight and winning the challenge. His face turn confirmed, Lex then embarked on a long bus tour of America for some reason.
Yes, Lex Luger, much like many of us, celebrated the Fourth of July by struggling to remove an obnoxious fat guy from a party.