How Wrestling Has Changed Since 9/11

6. John Cena

The Rock Vince McMahon 9/11 SmackDown
WWE

The 16-time World Champion has become one of WWE's go-to patriots since starring in 2006's The Marine, in which he played Master Sergeant John Triton on an anti-al-Qaeda mission in Iraq.

Returning to television after filming The Marine saw a number of pro-USA traits start creeping into Cena's character. He started wearing military dog tags to the ring, saluting to the audience, and even made a gun corps-inspired ring entrance at WrestleMania 26, as well as adopting a pro-American stance in various feuds with foreign wrestlers.

Perhaps Cena's most patriotic spell came during his fun United States Championship run in 2015, throughout which he was constantly paired with anti-American wrestlers like Rusev. Either way, the red, white, and blue has always suited him well. He's the perfect company role model in that he's talented, extremely marketable, about as clean-cut as clean-cut gets, and even looks like an American serviceman with his square jaw and shorn head. As such, he was the pro-USA face of WWE for a long, long time, from waving flags to carrying the United States Title.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.