5 Things you didn't know about Sgt. Slaughter

#3. Sgt. Slaughter Was A Victim Of His Own Success

Sgt. Slaughter: Hasbro GI Joe

All-American babyface Sgt. Slaughter was becoming a mainstream draw and attracting thousands of fans. Wrestling fans from all over the world showed up to WWE events in droves just to get a glimpse of Sgt. Slaughter.

Slaughter's newfound success didn't go unnoticed and the WWE Superstar soon drew attention from the Hasbro company, manufacturer of G.I. Joe toys. The company wanted Slaughter to become its spokesperson and to make the all-American hero into a G.I. Joe.

There was one significant problem, however. At the time, WWE had a deal with toy manufacturer LJN and Vince McMahon told Slaughter that if he pursed a deal with Hasbro, he would have no choice but to fire him.

Slaughter went to his wife for advice and she told him,

"You can always be a wrestler, but you can't always be G.I. Joe, the all-American hero."

Slaughter chose to sign with Hasbro, in a move that ultimately cost him his job with WWE and the first six WrestleManias to go with it. This included the main event of the very first WrestleMania, where Sgt. Slaughter was set to team with Hulk Hogan against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff.