#2 – Yokozuna
Similar to Volkoff not being Russian, Yokozuna wasn’t Japanese. Rodney Anoa’i was actually Samoan and born in San Francisco. Regardless, Anoa’i became a legend in the WWF as a sumo-champion turned anti-American mega-heel in the early 90’s, showing up with the hated Mr. Fuji as his manager and eventually taking on mouthpeice Jim Cornette as a consultant. Yoko squashed everybody, including jobber-to-the-stars Virgil at Survivor Series.
He dominated everyone to win his first Royal Rumble and defeated Bret Hart at Wrestlemania 9. His reign lasted 128 seconds, as Hulk Hogan came out and defeated Yoko for his 5th WWF Title. The ensuing feud was tremendous, and led to Yoko defeating Hogan at King of the Ring, setting up the arrogant Intrepid July 4th Bodyslam Challenge and the feud with Luger.
Along the way, Yoko challenged wrestlers to even simply knock him off his feet, which Jim Duggan was the first to do. The punishment? 4 Banzai drops, the last with the American Flag draped over him, and broken ribs.
Yoko’s feuds with Luger, Hogan, Hart, and the Undertaker were very memorable, though his face turn (and subsequent dismantling at the hands of Vader) were not the best send off for one of the greatest heels in wrestling history.
And the number 1 “Patriotic Wrestler” of all time is…
