Who Really Would Be on the Mount Rushmore of WWE #WWE

A fairly common debate amongst wrestlers, wrestling journalists, and wrestling fans is who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of the WWE. On the WWE.com's most recent video of the five records the Undertaker currently holds the narrator says that the Undertaker belongs on WWE's Mount Rushmore. But, is that true?





History
To really pick who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of the WWE, we must first look at what Mount Rushmore is about, what it means and why it was made. Mount Rushmore is a "shrine to democracy". It consists of the presidents that shaped, aided and modified democracy as we know it in America. The Presidents listed on Mount Rushmore are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. All four presidents played an important role in American history and made America what it is today.

Therefore to look really pick the Mount Rushmore of the WWE we must look at who shaped the WWE to be what it is today. This means that we can not just pick the four most popular wrestlers; as if that were true then the real Mount Rushmore would have to constantly be updated.

Analyzing and Comparing the Players 

George Washington

George Washington is the first President of the United States. George Washington laid the groundwork for what a President should be. He set the two term maximum during his presidency despite the fact that citizens wanted him to do a third term. His dedication to the country and desire to form a democracy that is strong, independent and self-sufficient is what made Washington beloved by Americans. George Washington represents the birth of America.

The only person in WWE history that really fits the bill to be the George Washington of the WWE is Vince McMahon. While Mr. McMahon is modest and rarely wants to be considered one of the greats in terms of on-screen personality. Vince McMahon is the forefather of the WWE. He created the sports entertainment idea and built the WWE to what is now. He is responsible for the birth of the WWE.

Therefore, the George Washington of the WWE is Vince McMahon.

                                                                            
                                                                           

Thomas Jefferson 
Thomas Jefferson is the next president in US history that is featured on Mount Rushmore. He is the third president of the United States and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. He helped double the size of the country through the Louisiana Purchase and his place on Mount Rushmore represents growth within our country.

To find someone in WWE history that matches the description of Thomas Jefferson's role in our country we have to look for someone who represents growth in WWE. Someone who helped the WWE double in size. The person that best fits this description is Hulk Hogan. Hogan helped start the Rockin' Wrestling era which kickstarted WWE's growth and helped WWE double in size. The WWE's wrestling boom would not have happened had it not been for the popularity of Hulk Hogan.

Therefore, the Thomas Jefferson of the WWE is Hulk Hogan. 

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is the next president (in sequential to years served, not on the actual Mount Rushmore) to be featured on Mount Rushmore. Abraham Lincoln held the nation together through it's greatest test: the Civil War. Lincoln worked his hardest to preserve the country while simultaneously doing what was right for its citizens. Lincoln was chosen to represent the preservation of America.

To find our Abraham Lincoln we have to find someone who held WWE together during it's greatest trials. The person that was there through the rough times and held WWE together when there seemed to be no hope. This person would be Bret Hart. After the steroid trial, all of WWE's bigger buffer wrestlers had to leave. And the ones that weren't forced to leave jumped ship to WCW. WWE was in it's darkest days and they needed a new hero. Bret Hart was the one who carried WWE through its rough patch. He represented a new era of smaller, athletic, technically sound wrestlers. He put on excellent matches, gave the company the babyface it needed, and preserved the WWE.

Therefore, the Abraham Lincoln of the WWE is Bret Hart.
                                                      
Theodore Roosevelt 
Theodore Roosevelt is the final president listed on Mount Rushmore. He was the leader of America during one of America's most profitable times. He helped ensure the rights of the common man and set limits on monopolies. Roosevelt developed many of the economic laws America has today. Theodore Roosevelt represents the development of the United States.

Our Theodore Roosevelt is, of course, Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin led the WWE through it's most profitable era. He led WWE out of the slump that was in and carried it to victory. He developed and redefined what it means to be a WWE Superstar while appealing to the common everyday fan. He is the prototype that so many WWE Superstars attempt to follow today.


Therefore, the Theodore Roosevelt of the WWE is Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Conclusion
In conclusion, while many depict an array of superstars to be the Mount Rushmore of the WWE to really pick we need to look at the meaning of Mount Rushmore and why each president was chosen. It is more than just who was or is the most popular. Rather, we should look at who had the impact these former presidents had. Who shaped the WWE in the way that they shaped America. Therefore my pics for the Mount Rushmore of the WWE are Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

                  -Britt Star