10 Most Cringeworthy Political Angles In WWE History

2. Sgt. Slaughter Turns On America

Sgt Slaughter
WWE Network

Sgt. Slaughter was the ultimate pro-American babyface. A huge, bruising power wrestler, Sarge’s military persona was immensely popular back in the day, and his GI Joe crossover saw his popularity transcend wrestling and merge into mainstream culture. Slaughter was so popular that he was genuinely rivalling Hulk Hogan for WWE’s top spot at one point, but he threw it all away

Sarge turned his back on America. He became repulsed by his countrymen, who, in his eyes, had grown soft and weak through the Cold War. Slaughter would cut increasingly scathing promos on his homeland while lauding Saddam Hussein, and started wearing Arab headdresses to the ring. In short, Slaughter pulled every cheap tactic in the book, and after aligning with General Adnan (a kayfabe Iraqi military general), Slaughter was the most hated man in wrestling.

He reportedly received multiple death threats throughout the turncoat run, and it’s reported that he had to wear a bulletproof vest and travel alone to ensure his public safety. There’s no doubt that turning on America got Sarge over as a heel, but things went way too far.

When a wrestler receives legitimate death threats for playing a TV character, something’s very wrong. Sarge eventually turned face again when the heat levels grew too dangerous, but his career was never the same, and he soon transitioned to a non-wrestling role.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.