Sgt. Slaughter, a previously established patriotic character, turned heel and aligned himself with General Adnan, becoming an Iraqi sympathizer. This move, while controversial, generated immense heat. In a time of national uncertainty, Slaughter became a target for public anger, a convenient villain for a nation on edge. This heat, however uncomfortable in retrospect, was gold for the wrestling business.
Enter Hulk Hogan, the embodiment of American patriotism. His role was clear: defend America's honor against the "traitor" Slaughter. This feud played perfectly into Hogan's established persona, increasing his image as the ultimate American hero. It wasn't just a wrestling match; it was a symbolic battle for national pride, a narrative that resonated deeply with the audience.
Hulk Hogan defeated Sgt. Slaughter for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania VII. While the event's financial performance has been debated, it was ultimately a commercial success. Bruce Prichard, who worked for WWE at the time, has indicated on his podcast, Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard (episode #9), that it likely broke even or was in the black, showing that even if it wasn't a record-breaking event, it still achieved a level of financial viability.
WrestleMania VII was also an achievement for WWE and both wrestlers. For many pro-wrestling fans, WrestleMania VII is completely linked to the historical Gulf War due to several reasons. Sgt. Slaughter being an Iraqi sympathizer mirrored the real-world conflict and made him a heat magnet, while giving Slaughter the opportunity to show how great of a heel he truly could be. Hulk Hogan, WWE's top star, was positioned as the American hero who would defeat Slaughter and defend the nation's honor, resonating with audiences during the war, enabling the feud to play right into Hogan's patriotic persona. The event was even moved to a smaller venue due to security concerns related to the Gulf War and Slaughter's controversial character. These elements combined to make WrestleMania VII one of the most memorable and controversial events in wrestling history, forever associated with the Gulf War in the minds of many fans.
The WrestleMania VII match was just the beginning of the Hulk Hogan-Sgt. Slaughter feud. After the match, Slaughter sneak attacked Hogan backstage with a fireball to the face, leading to them having more matches across the country, with a number of them being, "Desert Storm" (no disqualification) matches.
The Hulk Hogan-Sgt. Slaughter feud ended at SummerSlam 1991, when Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior teamed to defeat Sgt. Slaughter and his fellow members of The Triangle Of Terror faction (General Adnan and Colonel Mustafa) in a, Three On Two Handicap" match. These matches allowed WWE to further capitalize on the storyline's momentum and generate additional revenue. By extending the feud beyond WrestleMania, WWE demonstrated an understanding of how to maximize the financial potential of an angle. After the feud, Hulk Hogan moved on to engage in a feud with Ric Flair, and Sgt. Slaughter became a face again, expressing regret for all of his anti-American actions.
From a purely business standpoint, the feud was a win. It generated notable attention and kept pro-wrestling relevant in the national conversation, further strengthened Hogan's position as the top star, and left a lasting impression on fans due to its historical context. While the ethical considerations of using a real-world conflict for entertainment are valid and important, they don't cancel out the achievements of the angle.
This feud perfectly demonstrates how professional wrestling can capitalize on current events and public sentiment to create compelling storylines. It also was an example of how a compelling storyline should start with a strong concept, as discussed in my post on how to write a compelling wrestling storyline. It wasn't just about athleticism; it was about storytelling, marketing, and understanding the cultural climate.
Looking back, the Hulk Hogan-Sgt. Slaughter feud is an interesting case study in the business of professional wrestling. It highlights the complex relationship between business, entertainment, and patriotism. While the angle's sensitivity cannot be ignored, its success and impact on Hogan's career and Slaughter's heel run are undebatable. It serves as a reminder that wrestling, at its core, is a business, and sometimes, the most controversial angles can be the most beneficial.
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