u-s-a!! u-s-a!! u-s-a!!

VETERANS DAY, to say the least, is one day where america collectively celebrates and recognizes those who serve and have served in the military; it is a day to celebrate patriotism. and when i think of patriotism, i think of a man who [arguably] popularized the 'u-s-a!' chant more than anyone in american history. yes, i think of 'hacksaw' jim duggan.

for those who are unfamiliar with who 'hacksaw' jim duggan is, he is a professional¹ wrestler who has had the same [some would say tired²] gimmick of coming into the ring waving an american flag the size of texas while starting or perpetuating the 'u-s-a!' chant [and intermittently yelling things like 'hooo!!']. by no means was he a great wrestler, but his significance transcended his sport [or 'sport']. without him, crowds everywhere who love america and 2x4's may not know what to chant to show their patriotism. so today, i thank those who have served in the american military, both past and present. i thank the same people for their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families. and last, but certainly not least, i thank you, 'hacksaw' jim duggan.

¹ the term 'professional' is used loosely, considering the it was 'not necessarily real.'
² i know, how dare i.

this is truly the total package

other than having a nickname that reminds everyone of a penis, lex luger is well-known in the wrestling community for many things: being the only wrestler to bodyslam yokozuna in an competition in which that was the goal, having a steel plate implanted in his forearm and having a finishing move called the 'torture rack,' among other things. but none of those can compare to his infamous battle with a t-shirt. there are so many great parts to this clip, i really can't decide which one is my favorite. let's review:

0:07 luger shows frustration by placing two hands on his face. and who says wrestlers are bad actors.

0:18 oh. i guess that's why people say they're bad actors.

0:20 luger has trouble saying 'despicable.'

0:30 not sure of the name of the upcoming show, luger refers to it as 'super brawl,' then 'super saturday.' the interviewer then has to quietly correct luger as he fears for his life.

0:39 little did luger know that when he says, 'i don't know!' it would become the gayest moment of his life.

0:43 luger has great difficulty taking off a shirt. after defeating the shirt, he quips, 'and these shirts are too tight!'

0:55 correction: luger saying 'i'm pissed now!' might actually be the gayest moment of his life.

1:00 luger apparently has a problem exiting, as he is heard off-screen saying, 'and the door is locked too!' unable to keep a straight face, the interviewer cracks a smile and realizes that this might be the funniest event of his life.