Rusev
Over the years WWE has seen its fair share of barbaric conquerors spouting anti-American rhetoric, seeping foreign superiority from every single pore. The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, General Adnan along with the turncoat Sgt. Slaughter, the late Yokozuna, Muhammad Hassan, and currently Rusev.
In recent memory, Rusev, save for perhaps Yokozuna has been the most dominant of these foreign invaders. The “Hero of the Russian Federation” has been an unstoppable force ever since his Raw debut, crushing fan favorites such as Zack Ryder, Kofi Kingston, R-Truth, and RVD along the way. Back-to-back PPV wins over the massive former Intercontinental champion Big E at Payback and Money in the Bank cemented the fact that Rusev is a force to be reckoned with. Though we have seen Rusev staggered before, to quote the late, great Gorilla Monsoon: “he’s one tough hombre.”
However, every time one of these brutes emerges from the depths of their country of origin, staking their flag directly in the middle of the WWE ring, so to arises a hero to meet this foe. The likes of Hulk Hogan, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, and Lex Luger have all proudly carried the moniker of American Hero after defeating their foreign enemies.
Jack Swagger
Enter Jack Swagger. Swagger is a former All-American Division One collegiate wrestler, a former ECW champion, former United States champion, and former World Heavyweight champion. It doesn’t get any more American than the All-American “Real American” Jack Swagger. Jack has all the tools to beat the monster Rusev, he’s been in the ring with and beaten some of the best in the business. Even though he has tasted defeat at the hands of Rusev before, this time it’s different. This time there will be no count-outs.
Swagger and Rusev don’t do much talking and I like that. Both have people who do plenty of talking for them, and more. Sunday at SummerSlam all the talking, all the back-and-forth and all the posturing between both sides ends. No need for gorgeous, yet cold, venomous Lana. Nor is there call for the fuzzy, compact, and always angry Zeb Colter. The mouthpieces can give their propaganda machines a rest for the night.
Flag Match
Truly, there is only one match stipulation fitting for two men dubbed the “Real American” and “The Hero of the Russian Federation.” The objective for this one is simple: capture the other man’s flag. Only one man waving his country’s flag will be left standing when this match ends. The pride of an entire nation is on the line.
This one will be a grueling affair from start to finish when these two collide for what could very well be their final match in this very heated feud. If Rusev goes 2-0 over Swagger at consecutive PPV’s like he did with Big E, then there will be no need to continue this saga. In that case, Rusev will be declared the superior wrestler. That being said, Swagger doesn’t need to win this match; he has to win this match. His entire persona depends on it. Should Jack fail to get the job done, I have to question whether his shoulders really are broad enough to carry the title of “Real American.” If the unthinkable happens, and Rusev does capture Old Glory, I suggest that Swagger change his catchphrase from “We The People!” to “Zeb, Shut Your Pie-Hole!”
Photo via WWE.com
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