The Complete History of the WWE Championship - Part 3

Sergeant Slaughter (January 19, 1991 - March 24, 1991)

Sgt Slaughter: Transitioned the title from Ultimate Warrior to Hulk Hogan

Sergeant Slaughter had been a big star in the 1970s and 1980s as a preacher of American pride and supporter of the troops. He was also famous for competing in a number of dynamic, well received Boot Camp Brawls during his previous run in WWE.

However, when he returned to the company in August 1990, he had undergone a startling personality shift. The once great patriot had now renounced his American patronage and instead pledged allegiance to Iraq, with whom the United States politically had extensive tensions.

The gimmick backfired when war broke out between the two countries and the mainstream media who had historically been kind to the company were now inflicting mountains of bad press on WWE, whom they believed were attempting to profit from the Gulf War.

Nevertheless, WWE persevered with Slaughter's new character and he shockingly upset Ultimate Warrior to win the title at the 1991 Royal Rumble, with assistance from Macho King, Randy Savage who cracked Warrior over the head with his scepter, Setting up their own memorable encounter at WrestleMania VII.

It was a stopgap reign, one that existed solely to transition the belt from Warrior to Hogan. That title match was set for the main event of WrestleMania VII.