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WWE in 1997 was something else to say the least, considering the overwhelming changes to the product. With that said, one of the most notable changes during this time was the heel turn of Bret Hart, after years of being a beloved babyface. And because he turned heel, Bret Hart soon adopted an anti-American and pro-Canadian persona. Although Bret Hart established himself as the top heel, he had an unusual foe that took a stand against his anti-American attitude. That very foe is none other than The Patriot.
Bret Hart Turns Heel And Takes A Stand Against America
WWE shifted away from its former family-friendly programming to a more aggressive-based product in 1997. Bret Hart was among the main-event-level superstars that took a more aggressive tone towards his character. 1996 and 1997 were the years not only newly brought in superstars like Steve Austin and Mankind were coming to their own, but even veterans like Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart were evolving to fit the mold of WWE's creative vision.
Bret Hart's character throughout the rest of 1997 before departing from WWE revolved around being a patriotic Canadian while badmouthing WWE's American fans. For instance, on the first Monday Night Raw episode after WrestleMania 13, where he defeated Steve Austin in a classic bout, Bret Hart expressed his disgust with American fans for cheering a rugged person like Steve Austin. Once his heel turn kickstarted, he became a target for not only Steve Austin, as their feud continued after WrestleMania, but every other top babyface on the roster in 1997.
Considering Bret Hart's disgust with America, wrestling fans instantly imagined that a red-hot patriotic American would stand up to him. The wrestling industry had always showcased characters and storylines revolving around American patriotism. An example would be back to the Rock 'n' Wrestling Era days when Hulk Hogan, one of the biggest stars in wrestling, showcased his American patriotism as part of his persona. The All-American hero was sure to get his hands on Bret Hart in some way, shape, or form.
The Patriot Stands Up To Bret Hart
On a July 1997 episode of Raw is War, a man that went by "The Patriot" made his WWE return and set his sights on Bret Hart. The Patriot may be a forgotten act by many fans, but to his credit, received a main-event push upon his arrival. Despite his run with WWE in 1997 lasting less than a year, The Patriot became a featured performer during the months heading into the launch of the Attitude Era.
For those who may not be familiar with The Patriot's wrestling career, he was already a ten-year veteran before getting his big break in WWE for a second time. Making his professional debut in 1988, The Patriot, or by his real name Del Wilkes, wrestled for many promotions before his last run in WWE, such as All Japan Pro Wrestling and American Wrestling Association, where he first debuted in 1988. Del Wilkes had stints in bigger promotions like WCW and even WWE in the mid-1990s. The Patriot persona wasn't exclusively used as a foe for Bret Hart in 1997, as Del Wilkes portrayed that character in his first stint with WWE in 1992 and another promotion before that.
WWE decided to resume that very persona to push a program for Bret Hart. After Bret Hart captured the WWE Championship at Summerslam 1997, as he defeated The Undertaker, Bret Hart got set to defend the title belt against The Patriot. Not only was The Patriot getting a WWE Championship shot despite being in WWE for a few months, but also, his championship was at a PPV event. Before this, it's worth noting The Patriot picked up a pinfall victory over Bret Hart on a July 1997 episode of Raw, thus making him seem more of a threat to Bret Hart.
The Patriot's PPV Bouts Against Bret Hart
At Ground Zero: In Your House 1997, The Patriot failed to capture the WWE Championship from Bret Hart after submitting to the sharpshooter. However, The Patriot lasted twenty minutes with the Hitman and put up a good fight, as he even utilized the sharpshooter on Hart during the final moments of the match. The Patriot may have lost but he looked as if he could compete with the likes of a Bret Hart, considering his in-ring talent and his physical build.
The forgotten match between Bret Hart and The Patriot at Ground Zero: In Your House 1997 also received positive reviews from critics. The Patriot's main-event push continued following his match with Bret Hart, as he teamed with Vader to take on Bret Hart once again, as he teamed with The British Bulldog in a Flag match at Badd Blood: In Your House 1997.
Unfortunately for The Patriot, he lost again on PPV, as his main-event push came to a screeching halt following his second PPV defeat to Bret Hart. After a few matches in late 1997, The Patriot was released by the company in early 1998.
Del Wilkes' Positive Wrestling Legacy
Even though The Patriot could only go so far regarding its persona, getting a WWE Championship match with Bret Hart is something many wrestlers can't say they've done. During his ten-year career, one could argue that Del Wilkes had a decorated career. He's won many championships and received positive recognition from internet critics like Pro Wrestling Illustrated, getting awarded the 1991's PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year.
Del Wilkes deserves to be remembered positively for what he's done in the wrestling industry. Even though some might be under the impression that The Patriot persona is too cartoony to be taken seriously, Del Wilkes's portrayal of such a gimmick highlights his natural abilities as a performer.