Other celebrities who served in the military are Navy veterans actor Jason Robards, jazz great John Coltrane, rapper MC Hammer, actor Humphrey Bogart, television host Johnny Carson, actor Kirk Douglas, television host Bob Barker, actor Henry Fonda, pro-wrestler Jesse Ventura, and baseball great Yogi Berra. Before embarking on a career in sports-entertainment, Kevin Nash was an accomplished NCAA basketball player and also played in Europe. While Didingers statement that his subject was an actual veteran is made in passing (The 34-year-old Marine Corps veteran was dressed in slacks and a wind-breaker) and doesnt quote Remus/Slaughter, the wrestler would continue to claim until as recently as a few months ago that he was a genuine veteran, decades after he had started talking about the wrestling business in more surface-honest terms. As a young man, Raven was looking for an action-packed job. 10. Throughout 1984, then, Slaughter was, at a minimum, as big of an attraction as Hulk Hogan, if not bigger. Randy Orton, the legend killer, the apex predator. 11/15 * Zeb Colter. He remained the part of Vietnam war and also won the Vietnam Service Medal for his bravery and performance. In his interview with WWE.com, he confessed that he loved being on the front line. Slaughter ever served in the Marines. The WWE Universe remembers Jesse The Body Ventura as the colorful commentator calling the WWE action alongside Mr. McMahon in the 1980s. From militia leaders, to colonels, to generals and more, here are 31 presidents that served in the military before they rose to lead it as commander-in-chief. Top 10 Most Popular WWE Wrestlers Who Served In Military Content Summary Top 10 Most Popular WWE Wrestlers Who Served In Military 1 - Bobby Lashley 2 - Randy Orton 3 - Road Dogg 4 - Konnan 5 - Kevin Nash 6 - Freddie Blassie 7 - Lacey Evans 8 - Zeb Colter 9 - Perry Saturn 10 - Jesse Ventura 1 - Bobby Lashley As a wrestler, The Hollywood Fashion Plate captured the prestigious NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship. WWE Hall of Famers Kevin Nash and Freddie Blassie are two examples of wrestlers who have served in the military before becoming pro wrestlers. The current issue is: Remus has long given and continues to give out-of-character interviews where, despite being introduced as Sgt. However, he also has military background. Recently, Evans competed in the Mae Young Classic, advancing to the second round after defeating Taynara Conti. AEW (All Elite Wrestling) (w)Rest of Wrestling. But mostly yes. After serving overseas, Nash returned to the United States where he emerged as one of the top big men of his generation. Because during the same short New York media tour to promote WrestleMania-related events that would hit the city several weeks later, he danced around military-related questions in, a Fox News interview published eight days after he was on. This has been true throughout the years, from Sgt. The powerhouse out of Junction City, Kansas has had plenty of good fortune during his stints with WWE. The Staff Sergeant booked her in a wrestling match on the show and that's where it all began. Military policies should only be developed for one purpose: fighting and winning our nation's wars. Ventura later became governor of Minnesota and has never been one to shy away from investigating a conspiracy. She recently defeated Allie Katch on the September 21 episode of AEW Dark. It was less disorienting than usual, though, because he grounded the tall tales in enough ostensible reality connecting everything to wrestling stories, e.g., getting the Sgt. The gimmick wasnt entirely new: When he first became Bob Slaughter in 1976 in the Kansas City territory, he was billed as an ex-Marine drill instructor and nicknamed The D.I. But as Sgt. These wrestlers served in different branches, including the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Remus himself never served in the military. Slaughter is a wrestling star who rose to prominence in the 1980s. 7 Freddie Blassie. Kennedy is one of the few fighters simultaneously to serve in the . He had a couple of unauthorized absences (UA) on his record and disobeyed an order. 8 William Bonin. One detail of Colters typical tirades, however, is 100 percent accurate he served in the Vietnam War. Im a pretty regular guy. All of that resulted in the historian expressing discomfort with voting for someone who has brazenly been impersonating a Marine, and sharing the Sun clipping a few weeks ago on the Observers message board for subscribers. Lacey Evans co-main evented WWE Extreme Rules in 2019 and since that time she has challenged for a championship multiple times. Servo won a 10-round decision as Ambers watched from ringside. She spent five years in service and completed his bachelors degree. I walked into a caf near the Holiday Inn in Oklahoma City and saw Sergeant Slaughter sitting quietly by himself,, , which is sourced almost entirely from his contemporaneous audio diaries. WWE NXT fans know that Montez Ford is an incredibly gifted athlete. Konnan is a professional wrestler who was born in Santiago de Cuba. Slaughter.. . After a successful year-long run doing strong business with great matches (primarily against, in the Carolinas, another famously lucrative territory, eventually, Slaughter would return to the WWF shortly after the traffic jam, changing his villainous ways to a good guy after about a year. Preparing himself to become a CIA agent, Raven joined the University of Delaware to study criminal justice. What Percentage Of Americans Have Served In The Military? WWE Hall of Famer "Classy" Freddie Blassie is proclaimed to be one of the greatest managers of all time. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. He currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. Slaughter well, Robert Remus, the man behind the wrestling gimmick never served in the military. As for what hes said since things have really blown up over the last few weeks? . WWE CEO (and owner) Vince McMahon is an outspoken supporter of the military. That seems to also be the case for many others, at least as far as why this story has, somewhat improbably, not come to a head sooner. Still, the 1985 article was explicit and well-reported, and a legitimate veteran-turned-pro-wrestler, Jesse Ventura, would later state the truth about Slaughter in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 1991 and, nationally, on Comedy Centrals The Colbert Report in 2008. The former WCW Tag Team Champion spent only two years in WWE. #OTD in 1969 Bob Kalsu, who started nine games at right guard during his 1968 rookie season, has left the Buffalo Bills to be inducted into the Army. During his tenure in WWE, he win the World, Intercontinental and Tag Team Championships which made him one of the most successful star of 90s history. Slaughter dodges all questions about his armed service record for good reason., also spoke to then-USMC Captain Jay Farrar of the Public Affairs Office, who added that weve been interested in Slaughter for a couple of years, since he began using our paraphernalia, but the guy has been very elusive. Farrars office had received 50 complaints in the past year from true-blue Marines, citing Slaughters abuse of the uniform, which Farrar said mainly stemmed from when his opponents staged attacks on people wearing dress blue uniforms, whom we strongly believe were not Marines., story last February while doing research on Newspapers.com. Ventura was a member of the United States Navy from 1969 to 1975. UFC 285 Fighters Salaries | Jones vs Gane Purse Payouts | How Much Fighters Earn from PPV Money Bonuses? He is probably best remembered as a member of Ravens Flock in WCW and for his storyline in WWE where he fell in love with a mop named Moppy. Nash had some success during his enlistment and worked his way up to the rank of specialist. While its fine that he portrays a character that was a Marine, him doing non-kayfabe interviews claiming to serve 2 tours in Vietnam, that he was a drill instructor, etc. He has always been there for the troops, Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) January 17, 2020, FINALLY Someone Gets It FINALLY Someone Recognizes It FINALLY Someone Understands Who @_SgtSlaughter IsGod Bless You @JackPosobiecGod Bless ALL Those Who HAVEGod Bless ALL Those Who ARE Serving OUR Country& God Bless America Home of the FREE Because of the BRAVE, SGT SLAUGHTER (@_SgtSlaughter) January 17, 2020. Check out his weekly wrestling history podcast, Between The Sheets, on all major podcast platforms, and subscribe to his Substack at BabyfacevHeel.com. 14/15 * Corporal Kirchner. FAN Wrestling Forum. Enlisting at age 17 and serving for four years, Saturn pushed himself to the limit to become an elite U.S. Army Airborne Ranger. NXT has recently been graced with the presence of some military alumni. Zeb Colter worked as a territories star named Dirty Dutch Mantel before he came to WWE and served as a manager for men like Cesaro and Jack Swagger. He is one of the greatest name of wrestling history as he is entertaining the world for more than twenty years. Photo credit: ihorror.com. Regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, Pacquiao has also been involved in Philippine politics throughout his athletic career. WWE has also employed several veterans, many of whom have gone on to have outstanding careers with the organization. RELATED:10 WWE Champions With The Least Matches In The Company. Knoxville, Tennessees Randy Orton began his wrestling journey back in 2000. In California, he was known as "The Freeway Killer.". That seems to also be the case for many others, at least as far as why this story has, somewhat improbably, not come to a head sooner. Government records reveal Slaughter, a.k.a. When co-host Sam Roberts asked Remus how long he was out of the Marines when he started wrestling, the result was another halted answer: After he was on leave for six months, Remus claimed. WWE Superstar Bobby Lashley has a long list of accomplishments outside the wrestling business. Like many young men of his generation, Gagne answered the call of duty and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Making sure all the, uh, the grunts dont [go] AWOL on us, and keep em all in line.. Before they became pro wrestlers, some former WWE Superstars have served in the United States military. We may earn some commission if you were to buy something via our affiliate links, Top 10 Most Popular WWE Wrestlers Who Served In Military. Did any WWE wrestlers serve in the military? A few wrestlers, however, had duties and responsibilities that exceeded the rest. Watch every Premium Live Event and enjoy some of your favorite WWE content on Disney + HotStar. 5. I am Shamil (Sean) Jabrayilov was born in the Republic of Dagestan of the Russian Federation on 10/02/1984. Kevin Nash during his time with the U.S. Army's 202nd Military Police Company pic.twitter.com/24sOxD8SGL. Bryant then put in a Freedom of Information Act request about Remus, quickly resulting in a letter confirming that, indeed, the wrestler never served. Any individual in an Officer Accession Program with the rank of Cadet or Midshipman (Academy or, ROTC) is not eligible for Armed Forces Championships nor any subsequent higher-level competition.. Tim Kennedy. Nonetheless, fans might not know about a few other former WWE Superstars who have also joined the military. He managed many legendary wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, The Iron Sheik and even boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Steven Cutler is a formidable contender in WWE NXT, having previously faced off against the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura and Baron Corbin. Case in point: Yes, he responded when Jim Norton of Sirius XMs, him if he really served in the Marine Corps last February 18th. Follow him on twitter @goodeals79. At 19 years of age, Evans joined the United States Marine Corp. Outside of wrestling, Randy Orton has also starred in two action movies; 12 Rounds 2: Reloaded and The Condemned 2. RELATED:Every Version Of Bobby Lashley, Ranked From Worst To Best. But very few become able to get into the defense as it requires a lot of skills and strong stamina alongside with high morale to tackle the difficulties. It turns out that a major market newspaper had explicitly reported the fact that Sgt. Cutler served as a Machine Gunner/0331 Infantry with Second Battalion 8th Marines Weapons Company from 2007 to 2011. AEW (All Elite Wrestling) (w)Rest of Wrestling. Gary Sinise is a well-known actor who played Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump in 1993. The D.I. But as Sgt. David Bixenspan is a freelance reporter who lives in Brooklyn. Yes, Slaughters military credentials were legit. The 32-year-old then received a WWE tryout in 2017. Slaughter schooled other fighters in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), the American Wrestling Association (AWA) and the World Wrestling Federation (today's World Wrestling Entertainment or WWE) as the ultimate drill instructor for decades, and his image even graced a G.I. Slaughter, he perfected the act, becoming one of the biggest stars and top villains in the business almost overnight. That last link is the most explicit, using his real name and putting him in a Veterans Day 2018 listicle of wrestlers who otherwise legitimately served. 3 Sgt. I really did! In other words: Maybe you heard that Slaughter wasnt a genuine Marine at one point, and you heard him giving an out-of-character interview where he claimed real military service. He then started competing on the independent circuit. He also joined Army college and after showing his brilliant fighting skills in inter-college competitions, started his professional career. During his service, he trained with some of the best wrestlers at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. (Slaughter and his representatives refused to comment at the time.). Well, I always thought he was in the Marines! exclaimed the former member of the WWF creative team and talent relations department through laughter. Slaughter character or even Remus, frankly being a valor thief at his peak, when kayfabe was still strong, past a few mid-1980s Marines. In fact, every year the company holds its annual Tribute to the Troops, in an effort to show appreciation for the fighting men and women who serve. convention, Slaughter gave him a similar story, one that, even as someone with family who served in the Marines, he bought. In 2016, Trish Adora started wrestling in a few promotions like IGNITE Wrestling, American Combat Wrestling, and Go Wrestle. By way of his choice of retweets and who he chooses to send positive vibes to when he responds to tweets, hes been stumping for the bad faith and/or uninformed take that he was just playing his gimmick like any other old-school wrestler. He spent three years in uniform before joining WWE in 2005. Please logout and login again. While Hart included the account of this November 29, 1984, dinner to note that Slaughter warned him to watch your back because Vince [McMahon] is a ruthless guy, it serves a different purpose now. His job included handlingDefense Travel System plans for his battalion. The 5-foot-8 WWE star was a military police officer who served for 5 years. Perhaps most odiously, he responded in detail to infamous Pizzagate conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec. Vernon Logan, Buddy Arndt, J. Robinson, and Randy Couture served in WW2, Vietnam and during the Cold War. It probably wont surprise you to learn that Sgt. Slaughter character or even Remus, frankly being a valor thief at his peak, when kayfabe was still strong, past a few mid-1980s Marines. He later became a singles competitor, chasing the Hardcore and European Titles. Lacey Evans enlisted when she was 19 years old, and she went on to serve on the Marine Corps SWAT team. Slaughter name was given to him in the Marines and that the gimmick as presented was inspired by The D.I., Norton asks him if he ever participated in any blanket parties a la the famous scene in Full Metal Jacket. John Stefanowicz, bottom, and Capt. His duties included arranging travel for Marines if they needed training. Randy is a Third generation superstar which will most certainly be in the hall of fame sooner or later but what a few people could maybe not know is that Randy . Nobodys talking about the Sgt. NEXT: 5 Wrestling Couples That Were Really Married (And 5 That Werent). He served in the Marines from 2008 to 2012. It's no surprise that some wrestlers have had other jobs outside of the ring, and some of them have even enlisted in the United States military. Slaughter never served decades ago, even though Remus still claimed as recently as last summer that he was a real Marine. The third-generation pro has also headlined several pay-per-view events throughout the course of what's sure to be a Hall of Fame career. While some wrestlers, such as Lacey Evans, tried to focus on a character outside of her military experience, others, including Jackson Ryker, brought the personality directly into their WWE personas. Bobby Lashley made his initial WWE debut in 2005 and his overall tenure in the company saw him becoming the ECW World Champion, United States Champion and Intercontinental Champion. WWE Hall of Famers Kevin Nash and Freddie Blassie are two examples of wrestlers who have served in the military before becoming pro wrestlers. Owing to his brilliance in the ring, he was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994. Pee Wee Reese, Phil Rizzuto, and Hugh Casey. He never went into battle before leaving the military and joining WWE. Third-generation WWE Superstar Randy Orton is one of the most accomplished competitors in modern WWE history. Honorable mentions: Verne Gagne Corporal Kirchner Konnan Zeb Colter Paul Bearer Crush Steven. Like Trish Adora and Steve Cutler, Saturn also served in a combat zone. A disappointingly large number of comments on the topic of Remus military service have examined the topic as shallowly as possible, with The Undertaker isnt really dead, either kind of responses. Slaughter, thats not me, Remus said of his TV wrestling persona. Slaughter. During that process, he came across not just the, article but also Remus more recent claims to have genuinely served. Off Topic. He started his career in 1990 after signing the deal with United States Wrestling Association. The former WWE Superstar also served in the reserves after college. But to the US Air Force, he was a hero. Here are five former WWE Superstars you might not know have served in the United States military. In the 1990s, Perry Saturn won championships in the three major sports-entertainment organizations WWE, WCW and ECW. Be the first one to comment on this story. The wrestling star ran into some legal trouble in his youth and was forced to choose between either the military or prison. But they were probably so far removed from each other that you never thought of them together. Click on any of the links to read more about wrestlers who served in the military: Verne Gagne Don Leo Jonathan Buddy Rogers Baron Von Raschke Research by Tim Hornbaker All Information is public information obtained through FOIA. After that answer, the topic was mercifully brought back entirely to wrestling. Perry Saturn is one of only a handful of wrestlers who have had success in the original ECW, WCW, and WWE. WWE Hall of Famers Kevin Nash and Freddie Blassie are two examples of wrestlers who have served in the military before becoming pro wrestlers. What a pleasure it was to bring smiles to the faces of those who sacrifice so much for our freedom at the 15th annual WWE Tribute to the Troops. A fellow marine, who was a promoter on the side, booked her in a match on an indy show and the rest is history. He debuted as a member of The Radicalz, alongside Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, and Chris Benoit. While Gary Sinise never served in the military, his support of the troops is well-documented and impressive. Hes not, , that was just a role he played. Road Dogg made his wrestling debut in 1986 following the path of his father Bob Armstrong who was also a wrestler. Yet the discovery of a 35-year-old article clarifying his status has had fans asking questions recently about the foremost drill instructor in sports entertainment. In 1980, though, he got his big break, heading to the WWF (now WWE) the biggest money promotion in the country, even then as the villainous Sgt. Yet the discovery of a 35-year-old article clarifying his status has had fans asking questions recently about the foremost drill instructor in sports entertainment. Youve got to understand: Thats Sgt. Off Topic. 8/15 Randy Orton. While no, his real name is not Bob Slaughter, Remus was still making a clear distinction as early as late 1984 that Sgt. Two tours of Vietnam, yeah. Over the years WWEhas had an excellent relationship with the United States Armed Forces. Mr. Kennedy currently runs a wrestling school known as The Academy. He began his pro wrestling career in the 90s and he went on to win a championship in three of the biggest companies during that time. Read the Rules! The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. The others are the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy. These brave men and women proudly served their country in the military. Slaughter, thats not me, Remus said of his TV wrestling persona. out of this orbit perry saturn super kick followed by a spin cycle fisherman's buster to crash holly. Following that, Mr. Kennedy signed with WWE in 2005 and he went on to capture the US Championship only a year after his debut. Here are the complete details about the top 10 most popular WWE wrestlers who served in military. Daybound (If a player casts no spells during their own turn, it becomes night next turn.) Joe action figure in the late '80s when he became a spokesman for the brand and did voice-over work . Stars And Stripes: 15 WWE Wrestlers Who Served In The Military, 10 WWE Champions With The Least Matches In The Company, Jaxson Ryker's Babyface Character On WWE RAW Is One Of The Worst In Years, 10 Terrible Wrestling Names These WCW Stars Had To Endure, The 10 Most Influential Wrestling Families Of All-Time, Every Version Of Bobby Lashley, Ranked From Worst To Best, Venuta would later enter the world of politics, 5 Wrestling Couples That Were Really Married (And 5 That Werent). Zeb Colter is so uncompromisingly vocal about his beliefs and is never afraid to say what's on his mind so much sothat hed make Rush Limbaugh ill at ease. , after which he announced, IRON SHEIK, I DECLARE WAR ON YOU! and led the fans in the Pledge of Allegiance. Blues legend Chester Arthur Burnett served in the Army for two and a half years. Outside the squared circle, Blassie enrolled in the United States Navy during the Second World War and served in the Pacific Theater for over three years. When I leave here, Im Bob Slaughter. However, before he showed up in professional wrestling, Colter was a member of theU.S. Armys 25th Infantry Division. In WWE, he is part of the Street Profits, using catchphrases like "we want the smoke" and bringing out red drink cups when they enter the arena for their matches. He is regarded as the inventor of the . Which wrestler served in the military? The late wrestler Freddie Blassie has won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship during his professional career. He held a world title in both companies and main evented various PPVs. (It doesnt help, though that, even then, he would make the distinction to reporters that he was a real Marine, like in a March 1981 Washington Evening Star story.) However, the former WWE champ had a rough go of it in the military. Lacey Evans is a legit badass tho!! Top Hat Gaming Man - twitch.tv/tophatgamingmanlive, calling occupants of interporkatery sweats. However, very few wrestling fans know that he was also a platoon sergeant in command of thirty-three Marines in US Army Marine Corps. Raw results, Feb. 27, 2023:Becky Lynch and Lita capture WWE Womens Tag Team Titles from Damage CTRL with help from Trish Stratus, SmackDown results, Feb. 24, 2023: Sami Zayn exposes further cracks in The Bloodline by surviving vicious SmackDown attack, WWE NXT results, Feb. 28, 2023: Carmelo Hayes beats Tyler Bate in showstopping main event, Roman Reigns conquers The Beast to become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion on WrestleMania Sunday, Photos: See the latest WWE action figures from Mattel, Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair rivalry history. Professional Wrestlers Who Served In The United States Military In honor of Veterans Day, we decided to salute 13 wrestlers from different decades who fought for their country before battling inside a WWE ring. Longtime wrestling reporter Steve Bryant of SoCalUncensored.com saw the post, tweeted the Sun clipping and set off a firestorm of internet discussion and wrestling news website articles. WWE - Current . During his tour, he even won a gold medal in freestyle (amateur) wrestling at an event hosted by the International Military Sports Council. He is best famous for his tenure in the promotion and multiple achievements during his professional career. I hope you and your families enjoyed @WWE doing what we do best. He was an 11-time WCW Tag Team Champion, and as a solo wrestler, he . UFC Fighters Insurance | How Much UFC Pay To The Injured Fighters? Slaughter name from Jackie Gleasons Master Sergeant Maxwell Slaughter character in Soldier in the Rain that he sounded like himself and not the nervous, monosyllabic mess that he was in the Jim and Sam interview. Watch WrestleMania and other WWE Premium Live Events on Flow. 3.55K. There's no doubt that Lacey Evans will one day reach the top of the mountain in WWE by capturing her first Championship. These days, the 55-year-old works for Major League Wrestling and appeared in 2021 for AEW. Wrestlers That Served in the Military. . Road Dogg is mostly known for his time in WWE as part of the New Age Outlaws and D-Genration X. Was Road Dogg in the military? FAN Wrestling Forum. Three reasons why he is the best wrestler : He can wrestle with any guy : Be it The Great Khali , The Rock, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Brock Lesnar,Rey Mysterio. Saturn was a no-nonsense competitor who often left his actions speak for himself inside the squared circle. Bobby Lashley is an American professional wrestler and a mixed martial artist. It might seem hard to believe from a character with a gimmick like Montez Ford, but he was a former member of the U.S. military. After Remus claimed that the Sgt. A few current WWE Superstars have also had the same experience. Blassie joined WWE in 1964 and worked as a manager from the 70s before his official retirement in 1984. RULES. At Anson High School in North Carolina, Ford holds several records in the 200-meter, 400-meter and 4x4 relay racesand was named 2007 Athlete of the Year. 8 8 0 Randy Ortonthat is one name the military records should delete. Before Orton followed in the footsteps of his father Cowboy Bob Orton and his grandfather, Bob Orton Sr., however, The Viper enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Case in point: Yes, he responded when Jim Norton of Sirius XMs Jim and Sam Show asked him if he really served in the Marine Corps last February 18th. Ford also handled Defense Travel System plans for his battalion, which he revealed in an interview. 4 Bobbly Lashley. Marine Corps wrestler who served on Okinawa will compete in Tokyo Olympics By Seth Robson May 5, 2021 U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. By way of his choice of retweets and who he chooses to send positive vibes to when he responds to tweets, hes been stumping for the bad faith and/or uninformed take that he was just playing his gimmick like any other old-school wrestler. If there is any change, we will make them available here. Or in the world of wrestling, a "face" - also known as a babyface, one of the good guys. One of the famous name of World Wrestling Entertainment history Road Dogg is also present in the list. However, WWE released him from his contract last February. Sgt. Ford served his country from 2008 to 2012. This led to his recruitment into the United States Army. In 1980, though, he got his big break, heading to the WWF (now WWE) the biggest money promotion in the country, even then as the villainous Sgt. That said, he further committed to military service six months ago on the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast, recorded before a live audience at the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in Waterloo, Iowa.