Corrigan’s Corner: America’s 10 Greatest Enemies

Wrestling fans love when America kicks ass.

As our Olympic hero says, it’s true. It’s damn true.

Throughout the history of the genre, foreign villain vs. patriotic defender has equaled big box office. Of course, as time passes, so do the origins of the foreign menaces. Japan, Germany, England, Russia, even our friends up north have produced enemies for Uncle Sam.

So, in celebration of Independence Day, let’s look back on America’s top ten greatest rivals.

10. William Regal

Since 1993, Lord Steven Regal has been cleaning up America, one handkerchief dab at a time. The British southpaw debuted in WCW, mocking the dirty, hideous southerners, and attempting to usher England’s influence back to the States. First accompanied by Sir William, Bobby Eaton, and for a brief time, Triple H, then joining the Un-Americans and later King Booker’s Court, Regal always flocked to powerful troupes that carried out mischief. When he came to WWE, he was appointed as “Goodwill Ambassador,” but that quickly transformed into a power trip, spawning etiquette sessions and revised history lessons. While these days he’s revered for championing the future of the business in NXT, no one should sleep easy knowing Sir Regal is in a position of authority.

9. Bret Hart

Alright, so The Hitman’s anti-American crusade lasted less than a year, but it was so impactful that it ignited WWE during the summer and fall of 1997. Frustrated with the fans cheering for the profane, beer-swilling, rule-breaking Stone Cold, Hart snapped after WrestleMania 13. Insulting the American way of life, questioning parents’ lack of responsibilities, and denouncing his stateside fans, the “Excellence of Execution” embraced his Canadian heritage and reformed the Hart Foundation. Along with brother Owen, in-laws Neidhart and Davey Boy, and American turncoat Brian Pillman, Bret Hart waged war on America while gaining the support of fans from every other country. (If you’ve never seen Canadian Stampede, do yourself a favor this extended weekend and check it out on the WWE Network.)

8. Sgt. Slaughter

That’s right, wrasslin’s real-life G.I. Joe once hurt the country he fought for, and hurt us deep. During the Gulf War, Slaughter returned to WWE after a five-year exile. It was perfect timing as fans needed an American hero after Hulk Hogan stepped out of the title picture for the Ultimate Warrior. Well, cue up “Taps,” because the patriotic Sarge that fans remembered was dead and buried. In his place was an Iraqi sympathizing, Saddam Hussein hugging, downright bully. Aligned with General Adnan and former archnemesis Iron Sheik, Slaughter quickly marched up the ranks of the company, eventually wrestling the WWE Championship away from America and into the clutch of a modern-day Benedict Arnold.

7. Latin American Exchange

One of the hottest teams in TNA history, LAX rebelled against “The Man,” playing off the controversy surrounding illegal immigration. Managed by Konnan, Hernandez and Homicide stole the show with every match; of course, that’s only when they decided to wrestle. Claiming Latino discrimination, the militant trio conducted their own protest, building a border around the Spanish announce table and attacking whomever dare cross. Winning the tag team titles a total of three times, LAX engaged in bloody feuds with America’s Most Wanted, Team 3D, and the dream team of A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels.

6. Rusev

Originally a nod to the foreign villains of yesteryear, Rusev has emerged as a multidimensional monster who not only despises Americans, but also the independence of women. The Bulgarian brute steamrolled through the WWE roster, crushing every defender of Old Glory who crossed his path. Bestowed as Hero of the Russian Federation, that country’s highest honor, Rusev, along with his “Ravishing Russian” Lana, eventually conquered the U.S. Championship. Despite John Cena nearly killing all of his momentum, and a foot injury sidelining him from action, Rusev is still young enough to one day sit atop the list of America’s greatest enemies.

5. Baron von Raschke

Although ‘50s star Hans Schmidt paved the way for the evil German character, Baron von Raschke evolved the trope into the goose-stepping, fascist monster fans still despise today. Clamping down on opponents’ craniums with his Claw, Raschke terrorized the United States throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. Legend has it (ok, Wikipedia) that WWWF TV would censor Raschke’s claw with a big red X because of the excessive blood pouring out of Dean Ho’s temple. Obviously, Raschke’s character wouldn’t fly in 2015’s P.C.-laden minefield, but that makes his legacy all the more mythical.

4. Daivari

You expected to read Muhammad Hassan’s name, didn’t ya? Well, too bad, because his manager Daivari posed a nastier threat to the United States. While Hassan stirred so much hostility that he was banished from WWE per pressure from network executives, his run was simply too brief to crack this list. Whereas Hassan became a footnote in wrestling history, his Persian translator channeled the controversy into a successful career. Managing Great Khali and even American hero Kurt Angle, Daivari remained a thorn in Uncle Sam’s ass. Then he jumped to TNA under the moniker of Sheik Abdul Bashir, and won the X-Division Championship. After that reign, he went to Ring of Honor and then Lucha Underground, completing the cycle of national wrasslin’ invasions.

3. Ivan Koloff

Although the “Russian Bear” actually hailed from Canada, nobody was going to question him. The stocky, bearded brawler charged opponents before the bell, mauling foes up and down the East Coast. On January 18, 1971, Koloff shocked the world by pinning Bruno Sammartino, ending his almost eight-year reign as World Heavyweight Champion. The silence of the crowd compared only to the stunned reaction of those who witnessed The Streak die in New Orleans. Koloff’s reign lasted a mere 21 days, but he scratched his name in the annals of the business, and put the rest of the country on notice. About 15 years later, he recruited his nephew Nikita and comrade Krusher Kruschev to wreak havoc over the NWA.

2. Mr. Fuji

The Devious One preyed upon the United States for a quarter-century, leading his foreign clients in terrorizing the WWE and before that, doing his own dirty work. A five-time WWE Tag Team Champion, paired with fellow Japanese assailants Toru Tanaka and Mr. Saito, Fuji feasted off the World War II prejudices of Baby Boomers, vowing to avenge the loss of his homeland. (Kayfabe Spoiler: He was born in Hawaii.) Then he hung up the tights and sported a tuxedo, bow-tie, and top hat, along with a freely-swung cane, as he transitioned into a managerial role. He led Demolition to the longest tag team title reign in history, and led Don Muraco to Hollywood with the critically-acclaimed “Fuji Vice.” But his greatest accomplishment, his ultimate defeat of America, was tossing salt in the eyes of Bret Hart, causing Yokozuna to crush The Hitman and win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania IX.

1. Iron Sheik

“Iran, Number One! USA, Hack-Phooey!” That pretty much sums up Sheiky Baby’s stance on the U.S. of A., right? Twirling those Persian clubs, stomping heads with those pointy boots, and donning the Arabian headdress, Iron Sheik defined the stereotypical, cartoonish style of the Rock N’ Wrestling Connection. But what made him stand out from the pack was his legit athletic background: an amateur wrestling badass, Greco-Roman champion, and assistant coach to Olympic wrestling teams. Sheiky could throw down with the best of ‘em, which led to his WWE Championship victory over all-American boy Bob Backlund. Sure, the reign only lasted under a month, but Sheik proved that for a brief time, at least, Iran was indeed No. 1.

Wrestledelphia.com editor John Corrigan can be reached at . Follow him on Twitter at .