WWE: "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and the 15 Most All-American WWE Wrestlers of All Time

Perhaps one of the easiest gimmicks to give someone is that of an American, mainly because most wrestlers are actually American.

The majority of the gimmick is often involving carrying an American flag and starting "U-S-A" chants.

Many have tried, but few did it better than "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last week.

So where does Duggan stack up compared to the large amount of gimmicks that have tried to embody the idea of "All-American"?

Christopher Nowinski

Brought into WWE via Tough Enough, Christopher Nowinski was an interesting and intriguing gimmick. Nowinski's gimmick centered around his real-life alumni status from Harvard University.

Nowinski would wear crimson trunks with an "H" on them, coming to the ring with collegiate-sounding music and would spout off about being the smartest wrestler in WWE history. He was a mix of Matt Striker's teacher gimmick and The Genius.

Nowinski had that look of an All-American kid and his gimmick helped get him noticed as a young up-and-comer. The problem for him: concussions. Nowinski suffered one at a house show and was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, forcing him to retirement.

Since then, Nowinski has learned more and more about concussions, publishing a book and beginning a research company. It was Nowinski's company that investigated Chris Benoit's brain after his death to determine his mental state at the time of the double murder-suicide.

Muhammad Hassan

Muhammad Hassan was one of my favorite all-time gimmicks in WWE. It took the idea of the angry foreigner wrestler and flipped it on its side. Hassan was an American citizen who was fed up with being disrespected after the events of 9/11.

In reality, the man who portrayed Hassan was Italian, but his look and mic skills were top-notch for a young guy. If not for real-life events that made him more controversial, Hassan could have stuck around on WWE television.

Muhammad Hassan embodied those American citizens who get their liberties violated because they are believed to be foreigners. He will always be one of my favorite all-time heels because what he said was often the exact truth.

Tatanka

Tatanka was All-American... All-Native American, that is.

A Native American gimmick has been tried before, but none stick out greater than Tatanka, who embodied the spirit and heart of his people.

The coolest part of Tatanka's gimmick was that it was legitimate. Chris Chavis portrayed Tatanka, which translates to "bull buffalo" by the Lakota people of the Sioux tribe.

In 2006, during his second stint in WWE, Chavis was accepted into the Oglala Sioux tribe.



The Patriot

The Patriot was one of those gimmicks that was only created for the credibility of another superstar. The Patriot came to the World Wrestling Federation in 1997 to feud with Bret Hart, who had just become anti-American.

The Patriot wore a luchador mask to the ring and was almost gone as fast as he arrived. He served his purpose of getting Hart over as a heel in America.

Fun fact: his theme was titled "Medal," which was later used by Kurt Angle.

Irwin R. Schyster

Irwin R. Schyster was a unique gimmick that was specific to only American culture. Schyster is known for his link to Money Inc. and Ted DiBiase.

The main part of his gimmick centered around being an accountant and knowing about taxes way too much.

Schyster has had many appearances on television since retiring as a full-time wrestler. He has also made contributions of other kinds to the wrestling business.

Both of his sons are in the WWE developmental leagues, with one of them formerly known as Husky Harris.

Ted DiBiase

What better sums up the American way than people who spend money ridiculously?

Ted DiBiase could have helped out wit the the national debt, but decided to pay off people to do his dirty work and wear a flashy non-sanctioned championship belt instead.

I'm not sure if DiBiase's worth was evident at the time, but years later, he would become a WWE Hall of Famer. He revolutionized being the cocky heel.

Before DiBiase, most heels were just angry people. DiBiase was just plain evil and it was awesome.

He's totally right, by the way. Everybody has a price.

Dusty Rhodes

"He's just a common man working hard with his hands. He's just a common man working hard for the man."

And those polka dots rule, Dusty.

While he may not be the most in-shape wrestler, many believe that the reason Dusty looked so big was to fit all of the charisma he had.

On just charisma alone, Rhodes is arguably one of the best wrestlers ever.

In the 1970s, when wrestling became more of a soap opera, Rhodes was a driving force in making and keeping wrestling on television.

No matter how flashy Dusty was, you knew that he was just one of you guys and not the larger-than-life person that most wrestlers have been.

Lex Luger

Looking like an American Gladiator, Luger was not ashamed to tell you that he was an American.

Most of Luger's accomplishments were in WCW, including the longest United States Championship reign ever at 523 days.

If you ask WWE what his biggest accomplishment has been, aside from winning a Royal Rumble and co-winning another, Luger was the first man to body slam Yokozuna 17 years ago.

Luger was also rocking some nice American flag pants, similar to those worn by that Rex-Kwon-Do guy from "Napoleon Dynamite."

John Bradshaw Layfield

The self-proclaimed "Wrestling God" has been one of the best workers in the WWE for many years.

I have to admit that when he stopped being Bradshaw and started being JBL, I wasn't sure if it was going to work.

However, there was just something about JBL's attitude and the way he presented himself that wasn't there when he was one-half of the Acolytes.

JBL was always more of an American than you were and wanted you to know about it.

Being from Texas, coupled with being a stock market businessman (basically, himself) was the perfect blend for a heel.

I really wish that he was still a color commentator. They could finally tell Jerry Lawler to retire.

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

Duggan doesn't look much like a great gimmick at a glance. His catchphrase of "Hoooooo...." doesn't make a lot of sense.

He carried an American flag around for some reason. Those blue shorts were a killer to look at. The two-by-four... I still don't understand that one, honestly. However, Duggan made it all work somehow.

We can't explain what the heck Hacksaw was really about, but his spirit was truly American and was infectious. He was never an all-time great, but Duggan certainly deserved the Hall of Fame spot he was granted.

Mr. America

The gimmick of Mr. America was pretty much Hulk Hogan with red, white and blue instead of yellow and red.

Well, that and the fact that they aren't the same guy. Just ask Mr. America, brother.

Sgt. Slaughter

The Sarge.

There is nothing about this man that doesn't ooze America... you know, except for that heel turn where he praised Iraq.

In fact, Sgt. Slaughter is so much of a legendary American that they incorporated him into the G.I. Joe series.

Hulk Hogan

I dare you to play "I Am a Real American" and not feel like punching a terrorist.

Hogan paved the way for the classic "cheer for me because I'm American and my opponent isn't" angle that has been used with foreigners ever since.

Nothing says "Happy Fourth of July" like booing an inaudible non-American because he was born somewhere else.

Hogan put sports entertainment at the level it is at today. If there was a pro wrestling version of Mount Rushmore, Hogan would definitely on there.

And again, he isn't Mr. America, brother.

Jack Swagger

The "All-American American" may not be high in many people's eyes, but when half of the words out of the lisping former World Heavyweight Champion is "American," you need to give him some props.

The man went from amateur All-American to the original FCW Champion to ECW Champion to World Heavyweight Champion. End of story, roll credits.

Then, they tried to make him into the next Kurt Angle.

Then, they teamed him with Michael Cole. Well, at least it left Swagger with some victories to speak of. Anyone else miss his Soarin' Eagle mascot?

Kurt Angle

This isn't debatable.

The man is an Olympic gold medalist and hasn't wavered much from his real-life gimmick.

His work ethic is second to none, and despite not lack of flash, Angle has always been entertaining.

Angle's ability to flip from heel to face, while retaining an "American hero" mentality, is not something that everyone can pull off.