WWE Turning Point: Analyzing Historical Impact of the Flag Match

In just over one week at SummerSlam, Jack Swagger and Rusev will engage in a Flag match. But when that match was announced, how many of you asked, "What is a Flag match?"

Only a handful of these matches have taken place in WWE, and even fewer have been held on such a stage as SummerSlam—widely regarded as the second-biggest event of the year.

For Swagger and Rusev, both men will be battling for the honor of their respective nations, looking to be the first man to climb a pole and yank down his flag. That is, if WWE uses those rules for this match.

At WrestleMania 2, Nikolai Volkoff battled Corporal Kirchner in a match that was billed as a Flag match. Kirchner won the match, but he did so after pinning Volkoff, not after retrieving the American flag.

The same was the case on Saturday Night's Main Event in October 1985. Volkoff was again on the losing side of a Flag match after being pinned by Hulk Hogan.

In both of these matches, the winner of the match was just allowed to wave his flag in victory.

More recently, WWE has held Flag matches in which a flag had to be captured from a pole in order to obtain victory.

On a 2003 episode of WWE Raw, Sylvain Grenier defeated Rob Van Dam, and in January 2012, Ted Dibiase defeated Hunico on Smackdown. In each case, the winner pulled a flag down to signal the end of the match.

These are two of the more recent Flag matches in WWE, and both of them were held on free television. WWE has never made a big deal out of a Flag match.

Until now.

Rusev has yet to taste defeat in WWE—at least by pinfall or submission. Swagger has revitalized his career by defending the honor of the United States. In addition, Zeb Colter and Lana have both been brilliant in their roles, adding plenty of fire to a strong storyline.

"

Swagger/Rusev flag match at SummerSlam is best idea. Fits the story & it's a match where Swagger can go over w/ out Rusev being pinned #WWE

— Justin LaBar (@JustinLaBar) August 2, 2014"

After bulldozing through the roster and defeating former intercontinental champion Big E, Rusev has struggled to figure out the former All-American wrestler.

On the other hand, Swagger looks refreshed and energized, ready to take the fight to the Bulgarian. Adding the Flag match stipulation was an excellent move.

It's somewhat shocking that a memorable Flag match doesn't already exist in the annals of WWE. Sure, there have been some memorable moments.

After defeating Colonel Mustafa and General Adnan in a handicap Flag match inside Madison Square Garden in February 1992, Sgt. Slaughter gave a stirring rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance. The problem was, not that many people saw it happen.

Now, WWE has a chance to put together a match that millions will see. They have a chance to put together a memorable match, capitalizing on a feud that has been put together well.

Finally, regardless of the rules it chooses to go by, it has a chance to properly reintroduce this old school style of match.

Throughout history, WWE has had plenty of Superstars like Hogan defend the honor of America. WWE fans got used to seeing "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan proudly wave the American flag. On top of that, they have had countless international Superstars come and go, yet the Flag match was a rarity.

Swagger and Rusev have a chance to do something special at SummerSlam.