Best “American” Gimmicks In WWE History

There has never been a shortage of gimmicks in WWE. Having a character that connects with the audience, and sets yourself apart from the rest is the goal of every wrestler on the roster.

Since the business has been around for so long, just about every gimmick imaginable has been used to get a wrestler over, but the American Hero gimmick has to be one of the most popular. Being an American company, WWE busts out this particular gimmick whenever they can. It evokes a sense of patriotism in the audience.

WWE has been around for decades and has trundled out the American Hero gimmick whenever they could, but which rose above the rest? Let’s take a look at the 10 candidates below.

“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan

Jim Duggan was saddled with one of the more over-the-top American gimmicks. Everything associated with his gimmick surrounded the good ole U.S of A.

At times, it was more comical than anything but that doesn’t mean it was not an incredibly effective gimmick. Marching to the ring, with his 2×4 in tow, Duggan got massive responses wherever he went.

His enthusiasm for the gimmick helped to get him over. He embraced every aspect of America and the fans lapped it up.

Who didn’t chime along with Duggan as he shouted his chants of “U.S.A”. He was a great mid-card talent who rode his American gimmick for as long as he could.

Lex Luger

Lex Luger first debuted in WWE as the Narcissist. He was a man who was better than us and had no problem letting the world know.

It was not a gimmick that lasted long and, when Hulk Hogan left WWE, Luger was saddled with another gimmick. One that brought him to the main event.

WWE needed another American Hero when Hogan left, so in stepped Lex Luger. Donned in red, white, and blue, Luger was pushed to the moon.

He slammed Yokozuna – a feat no one could accomplish – on his way to a WWE Championship shot. It was an opportunity that didn’t last long but the visuals around his push were great.

Luger was the American Hero of the New Generation.

Kevin Owens

It may seem odd to have a Canadian on the list of American heroes but it’s Kevin Owens so it’s okay. Everything that Owens touches turns to gold, including the American Hero gimmick he adopted when he won the United States Championship.

Owens trimmed his beard, started wearing a suit, and gave a sermon-like promo proclaiming his ascension to hero for the masses. What made this short-lived gimmick great was the irony that was dripping with every movement.

Owens patronized everyone when he adopted this gimmick and every word lacked sincerity. It was more of a slap in the face to everyone watching than a genuine babyface character.

It was perfectly executed by Owen’s and a shame it didn’t last longer.

Hulk Hogan

Hogan is the epitome of the American Hero. He spent some time toying around with other gimmicks, but it was his Real American schtick that hit gold.

Hogan became one of the most over acts in the company and, before long, was defeating Iron Shiek for the WWE Championship, to usher in the era of Hulkamania. The Immortal one bled America.

Accompanied to the ring by Rick Derringer’s amazing “Real American”, the Hulkster would carry an American flag while having the colors cover his tank top. He would routinely refer to American pride in his promos and was the poster boy of America.

There might be no other wrestler who epitomizes the American Hero.

The Fabulous Rougeaus

This was another fantastic gimmick that turned the American Hero gimmick on its head. The Rougeaus started as babyfaces but they were so white meat that no one cared about their matches.

Then they were given the tongue-in-cheek American Boys gimmick. What sets this apart from others is the parody that it was.

The Rougeaus were heels but they danced to the ring singing along to their hilarious All American Boys entrance music. Everything they did was meant to be a joke towards the American Hero gimmick.

It instantly drew the ire of everyone in the audience. It was a great way to subvert the ideal American gimmick by making a joke of everything that it stood for.

They were the perfect heel foil for many teams of the Golden Era.

The Patriot

Del Wilkes was a great professional wrestler who took his Patriot gimmick all over the world. In other promotions, he was successful. Then WWE got a hold of him and fed him to Bret Hart.

The Patriot was an amazing character in WWE. He had a great look with a luchador-inspired mask that was covered with American symbols.

His physique was great, and he was competent in the ring. The Patriot was a great addition to the roster but just had the unfortunate luck of being brought in so that Canadian hero Hart had someone to symbolize his American hatred.

Wilkes was a man who could have gone far with his American Hero gimmick, only to be a flash in the pan.

Sgt. Slaughter

A military character has always been a popular one in WWE. None may be more popular than the man who inspired an actual G.I. Joe character, Sgt. Slaughter.

Slaughter has bounced between heel and babyface characters, but his military persona has always been in the background. Whether pro or anti-U.S.A, this gimmick has carried him throughout his career.

The American Hero character helped to get Slaughter over. It resonated with fans as the gruff drill sergeant made his way to the ring.

He looked the part, and his American fervor was a characteristic that was always going to get a pop from the crowd. There was a short time when Slaughter was anti-American, but this wasn’t accepted by many, so much so that within a year of adopting the gimmick he was switched back to pro-United States.

You just can’t keep an American Hero down.

Dusty Rhodes

This entry may be slightly adjacent to the American Hero gimmick. Dusty Rhodes was never outwardly portrayed, with no red, white, and blue garb to be had.

That doesn’t mean that every part of his character was dripping with America. To begin with, Rhodes was the epitome of the American Dream (see what I did there?)

He was a man who came from nothing but built himself into a star. The son of a plumber came from humble beginnings and became one of the most popular stars in WWE.

It was a dream that every American could get behind and it promoted a sense of belonging with the crowd. Of course, his banging entrance music was all about being the best part of the United States.

It chronicled his journey and it helped to coin the moniker that he would keep for the rest of his career.

Kurt Angle

When he broke into the company, Kurt Angle had a claim that not many could have. Winning amateur wrestling championships at both the collegiate and Olympic levels, Angle was one of the few who won championships for his country.

For that reason, he expected to be showered with praise upon his debut. Much to his dismay, the fans hated Angle and chanted against him every time they could.

His American Hero character backfired, and Angle became one of the most hated men in the company. It was his arrogance that the audience hated but it was this arrogance that got him over.

He went to battle for his country and came back the victor, for that alone he should receive their love. This thought process was justified but how he presented himself was wrong, but it all worked out for the Olympic Gold Medalist.

It was a great example of when American fervor goes wrong.

The Undertaker

The Undertaker is a man who remained relevant, for so long, because of his uncanny ability to remain relevant. He was always looking for ways to reinvent his character and this evolution led to his most interesting character, The American Badass.

The Undertaker went away from his stoic character and brought more personality to the American Badass. We got to see him giving an impassioned promo and riding to the ring on a motorcycle with an American flag on the back.

It was surreal to see this much character from a man who had spent years silently going about his business. During this run, The Undertaker was the voice of America.

When it came time to defend the country, he was the man to take up the fight. He was the longest-tenured employee, so it made sense to give him these projects.

It was the biggest step away for The Undertaker but one that added so much to his overall legacy.

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling

Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the WWE Network and Peacock.