Back in the mid-2000s in WWE, Canadian born talent we’re being introduced from where they lived in America, rather than their place of birth in Canada. One example of this is Chris Benoit, he started being introduced as hailing from Atlanta, Georgia instead of his normal hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
According to former WWE superstar and proud Canadian, Lance Storm, this was because Vince McMahon thought anyone form Canada would be booed at that time, even saying “How will the audience know that they are good guys if they’re from Canada?”
Responding to a fan on Twitter, Storm said the reason for this change was due to Vince McMahon becoming concerned that all Canadians would be viewed as heels, following Bret Hart’s 1997 anti-American role in the company and the 2002 faction known as ‘The UnAmericans’ a faction comprised of three members, all who were Canadians – Test, Christian and Lance Storm. Englishman William Regal would also be added to the stable later on.
Storm would go on to remind another fan, that the wrestling business is scripted:
The Un-Americans were portrayed as hating the USA, even burning the American flag on tv. The group didn’t find much success, and current WWE executive Bruce Pritchard has since said, the members of the group were not comfortable in their roles, due to the fact they all lived in America.
I think it’s safe to say, Vince was proven wrong in this instance. The current incarnation of WWE has many popular ‘Babyfaces’ from the ‘Great White North’ such as; Kevin Owens, Edge and Tyler Breeze.
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