How Wrestling Has Changed Since 9/11

5. La Résistance

The Rock Vince McMahon 9/11 SmackDown
WWE

Sylvain Grenier and René Duprée formed the original incarnation of La Résistance. Initially, they were presented as a couple of arrogant French-speaking eels who'd criticise the United States and the country's foreign policy in a series of vignettes filmed in a news studio, with the US's handling of their post-9/11 War on Terror one of the more prominent topics.

This led to them debuting by assaulting Scott Steiner, who'd previously compared France to hell on WWE programming. A textbook "evil foreigners" run followed. Memorial Day 2003 saw them interrupt Lilian Garcia while she was singing "America the Beautiful," and after p*ssing on the USA on the microphone, they claimed they'd no longer allow America to police the world. Only a 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin appearance could run them off.

Rob Conway was later added as La Résistance's third man, having originally posed as an American serviceman who was being bullied by Duprée and Grenier before swerving the audience in a feud with The Dudley Boyz. The run continued, with Duprée eventually leaving, but ran out of steam long before their 2005 disbandment, having gone to the anti-USA well too many times.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.