7 Times WWE Used Wrestlers To Capitalise On US Foreign Policy

While the use of Kurt Angle as a patriotic hero was a reaction to a devastating geopolitical event on US soil, Hulk Hogan was a part of a prolonged and conscious effort to capitalise on the foreign policy of the US over most of the late 20th century.

When in the real world it was the US versus Russia or the US versus Iran the WWF followed suit in the ring with Hogan playing to role of the American hero and defeating heels like Volkoff, The Iron Sheik and Sgt. Slaughter. The hyper masculinity radiating from Hogan imitated the foreign policy of Reagan and the tough talking Hulkster cut fierce promos on his foreign foes while the president was doing the same on the world stage.

The Hulk Hogan character rivalled the other American heroes of the eighties who battled foreign villains like John Rambo, John McClane and Rocky Balboa. The unforgettable lyric of Hogan’s “Real American” entrance theme echoed the sentiment that the US was the good guy on the world stage by encouraging Americans to stand up for the rights of others. At a time when WWF was becoming increasingly more targeted at a younger generation, Hogan was considered the ultimate symbol of good triumphing over evil.

Hogan was synonymous with WWF in the eighties. If it was not for the popularity of the Hogan character would WWE be the entertainment powerhouse we know and love (or loath depending on your leanings) today? And if we accept the importance of Hogan in the building of WWE we have to acknowledge how the Hogan character grew in popularity due to its reflection of US foreign policy.