Goldberg was a phenom, a white-hot supernova that quickly became the best thing WCW had going for it. He was big, he was dominant, he was marketable, and he became the World Champion, beating Hogan in a memorable match. This should have been the beginning of a long run of success at the top of the card for Goldberg. But it wasn't. He never really did much other than that.
Goldberg had a pretty good title reign, holding the title for about four months. He also had a strong US run, in addition to a another US reign of one day. Later, there was a forgettable WWF Championship run. And....that was it. The guy who had so much hype and potential just didn't have the longevity or legacy of Sgt. Slaughter.
As over with the fans and public as Goldberg was, he had nothing on Slaughter. For a period, Slaughter was the most famous wrestler in the world not named Hogan. He starred in a popular cartoon and his action figure was the highest selling GI Joe figure. People were crazy for him, his popularity was incredible.
Slaughter is himself a former World Heavyweight Champion. To win it, he beat the Ultimate Warrior, a wrestler very similar to Goldberg. Most of the posts here seem to focus on his time as the WWF champion, but as a wrestler he was much better when younger. Slaughter won numerous regional titles and had multiple US title reigns. He was never considered a technical marvel, but Goldberg certainly wasn't either-the Sarge has the clear advantage here.
Goldberg had a really good feud with Hogan, some pretty good ones with Hall, Nash, etc. Nothing on the level of Slaughter's rivalries with Backlund, Iron Sheik, Hogan, Steamboat/Youngblood, or anything near the violence of his feud with Pat Patterson. Patterson and Slaughter took part in what was at the time an incredibly violent brawl, now known as one of the first truly legendary "hardcore"-type matches. At the time, Vince McMahon called it, "perhaps the most brutal match in professional wrestling history".
Goldberg had one World Tag title reign, with Bret Hart. Slaughter had one as well, a much stronger run with Don Kernodle. Slaughter was the better tag wrestler, the more accomplished singles star, headlined Wrestlemania, had more legendary feuds, was more popular and mainstream, was a better worker, was smarter, tougher and more violent than Goldberg was. He's experienced success in tournament formats, winning one for the US title after beating Johnny Weaver, Jay Youngblood, and Ricky Steamboat. He has been a huge part of wrestling, both inside the ring and behind the scenes, for nearly forty years. Goldberg didn't have the passion and quit early.
Goldberg most certainly has the strength advantage, but it isn't the physical mismatch many people seem to be thinking. Slaughter was a naturally big guy, over six feet and near three hundred pounds. His toughness was well known and he could be incredibly violent when called for. The advantage in power and slight advantage in size is all Goldberg has going for him here. Slaughter is the better, smarter, more experienced wrestler and his cunning is too much for Goldberg. Sarge gets the pin after luring Goldberg into a surprise lariat.
Vote Sergeant Slaughter!
