Sgt. Slaughter is regarded as one of the biggest icons of the Golden Age during the 1980s, one of the most controversial heels in the early '90s, and a real-life G.I. Joe character. It's no question that Slaughter has made a significant impact in wrestling history.
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Slaughter has had a long and illustrious career on and off the ring, but some stories and accomplishments get lost in the shuffle due to bigger names stealing the spotlight or moments lost in wrestling legend. Let's honor one of wrestling's most iconic yet underrated icons with these moments and stories that most fans may not be aware of.
10 Super Destroyer Mark II
Before he donned the drill sergeant persona that fans would come to know him for, Robert Remus wrestled under a gimmick that was far from the cigar-chewing Marine: Super Destroyer Mark II.
In the late 1970s, Remus worked for the AWA, donning a luchador mask, being managed by Lord Alfred Hayes and Bobby Heenan. The reason he was Super Destroyer Mark II was due to the fact that there have been several wrestlers before him that took on the mantle, one of them by the name of Hulk Hogan in the late '70s.
9 He Blew Smoke At Vince McMahon Sr.'s Face
When Sgt. Slaughter finally debuted in WWE in 1980, he quickly rose as one of the company's top heels. Shouting at fans to stand up, calling them maggots and pukes as he walked to the ring while chewing on a cigar.
Few wrestlers take their gimmicks this seriously, and Slaughter had no problem in legitimizing his character as best as he could by once blowing smoke directly at Vince McMahon Sr's face during one of his first entrances.
8 Offered $5000 To Any Wrestler That Could Break Out Of The Cobra Clutch
The Cobra Clutch is one of the most protected finishers of his era, and Slaughter knew it by putting it to the test. During his initial heel run in the '80s, Sarge was confident enough that he offered $5000 to anyone that could break out of his deadly submission hold.
He once doubled the price on Pat Patterson for $10000 to see if he could break out of the hold. As Patterson was close to escaping, Slaughter broke the hold and began assaulting him, kicking off their legendary feud.
7 Earned 'Match of the Year' Honors Thanks to "Alley Fight"
Slaughter and Pat Patterson had a feud that was so intense, that it culminated in a violent "Alley Fight" in Madison Square Garden in 1981. Surprisingly, the match wasn't as back-and-forth as one would think. Slaughter managed to get a little offense, but it was mostly Patterson gaining the advantage on the abusive drill sergeant.
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The match's story was enough for Wrestling Observer Newsletter to grant it "Match of the Year", as it was the climax of a bully finally getting what he deserves.
6 Quit WWE Over His G.I. Joe Toy Line
Sgt. Slaughter was one of the first wrestlers to transcend into pop culture media. The toy company, Hasbro agreed to have him be a part of the famous G.I. Joe toy line and later in the hit animated series.
Unfortunately, Vince McMahon was not having this and disputed with Slaughter to be removed from the whole franchise. This made Sarge choose the plastic army men over WWE. He left the company for a return to the AWA, who had no problem with the deal.
5 Only WWF Challenger Not To Lose To Bob Backlund At MSG
During the late '70s and early '80s, Bob Backlund was the face of the WWE, winning the title in 1978 and facing a who's who of legendary wrestlers including Pat Patterson, Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, and many others.
Madison Square Garden is considered to be the WWE's "home" and Backlund was synonymous with the venue, defending the title multiple times at MSG. However, Sgt. Slaughter would become the only wrestler in WWE to not be pinned by Backlund at the Garden. Slaughter fell to Backlund later at the Meadowlands.
4 Had To Wear A Bulletproof Vest In Public
One of WWE's most infamous heel turns, Sarge returned to the company in the early '90s, this time as an Iraqi sympathizer, instead of the hard-headed American drill sergeant. This was an attempt to gain major heat, as the Gulf War ensued overseas.
While this did gain the heat WWE was looking for, many fans took it a step further; sending death threats so intense that Sarge had to wear a bulletproof vest and be accompanied by a security detail while he was in public.
3 Released A Full-Length LP Titled "Sgt. Slaughter And Camouflage Rocks America"
When fans think of Sgt. Slaughter, "singer" may be at the bottom of the list of things he would be remembered by. Regardless, Sarge felt he needed to express his American patriotism in a full-length LP titled "Sgt. Slaughter and Camouflage Rocks America".
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Slaughter signed with aptly named, Cobra Records to record the album which was released in 1985 during his second tenure with the AWA. The album includes songs like "Cobra Clutch", "Love Your Country", and "Happy Birthday Miss Liberty".
2 Saved Roddy Piper's Life
While Roddy Piper and Sgt. Slaughter worked for Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (later known as WCW) in the early '80s, Hot Rod received major heat as one of the company's top heels. So much so, that a fan stabbed him inches away from his heart.
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Thankfully, Slaughter had his camouflage limo to drive him to the hospital.
1 He Discovered The Undertaker
Sgt. Slaughter quickly became one of Vince McMahon's most trusted advisors back in the day, and he seemed to have struck gold when he showed Vince tapes of a young Mark Calaway.
Vince was impressed with the 6'10" would-be Phenom and told Sarge to bring him in for a tryout, and the rest is history.
