They absolutely could not get a win if they tried.
That said, WCW stood as tall as it did for a reason.
It was an alternative to WWF and for a time succeeded in ways WWF did not.
There were just certain things WCW did a whole lot better than its competition…
15.
Big Van Vader
During the first half of the 90s, Big Van Vader was WCWs go-to monster.
Vader was a top threat whose train got derailed once Hulk Hogan looked in his direction.
But that was okay, because then he got signed to WWF!
But then he crossed paths with a vindictive Shawn Michaels and Vaders career started to roll downhill.
Ernest The Cat Miller
In terms of in-ring skill, Ernest Miller was on the bottom rung.
Luckily, he had more than enough charisma to make up for it.
He was the three-time karate champion, damn it!
He referred to Stevie Ray as Yogi Bear for some reason!
just to see what happened.
(The Cat getting beat up is what happened.)
The Cat did eventually make his way toWWElong after the WCW Invasion, but did not last long.
that would later be reused by Brodus Clay and Xavier Woods.
We can only speculate.
The Lethal Lottery
WCWs specialty matches were admittedly a mixed bag.
On one hand, you hadWarGames, which WWE eventually adapted years later.
The idea was that wrestlers would be randomly paired together via lottery system.
Either way, its a shame WWE never picked up this idea.
Even then, it had potential and they did nothing with it.
They put on crossover shows like theWCW/New Japan Supershowseries and the controversialCollision in Korea.
The promotions also regularly exchanged talent, which is how we got Keiji Mutos legendary Great Muta persona.
Hell, these crossovers even led to the creation of an nWo Japan!
Still, this is a step above WWEs history with other promotions.
If a promotion was lucky, they received a passing spotlight from the WWE.
No wonder the WWF vs. WCW feud ended so badly.
Mero then went to WWF at a time when the promotion needed new talent.
Unfortunately, he couldnt take the Johnny B. Badd gimmick with him from WCW.
That was about it for his WWF career.
He was very agile for his size and had a cool look, ridiculous as it was.
But Clark wasnt done.
That said, they were a fun and dominant tag team during the end days of WCW.
That unfortunately did not translate when they reappeared at WWF to face the Brothers of Destruction atUnforgiven 2001.
The match was so terrible that it killed KroniK and Clark never saw a WWE ring ever again.
Sting
Sting was WCWs ace, though that got muddied once Hogan showed up.
Even then, he eventually evolved intohis Crow personaand became the badass would-be savior against the New World Order.
Even when the Flock ran its course and Raven became a snarky rich kid, he still had it.
He left the company to spend some time in ECW before heading to WWF pre-Invasion.
Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair
In late 91/early 92, the ball was in WWFs court.
It was wrestlings version of Godzilla vs. King Kong, John Wayne vs. Clint Eastwood.
Even though WWF initially set the match forWrestleMania VIII, it ultimately didnt happen.
Rumor has it that the match simply didnt land very well at house shows.
Others say that the reason it never happened was that Sid Justice had aWrestleManiamain event in his contract.
Either way, WWF went with Flair vs. Randy Savage and Hogan vs. Sid.
Hogan then went on vacation and Flair was gone before Hogan returned.
WCW had no such issue hosting the match.
The promotion hyped up Hogans debut on the basis that it would immediately lead to Hogan vs.
Flair for the title atBash at the Beach 94.
The result was a solid main event that did great business.
The two continued to feud on and off for the next six years.
THE STRAPATION, BROTHER!
The Cruiserweight Division
This one should go without saying.
Putting higher-profile matches on the Monday show?
Moving the product in an edgier direction?
Introducing a heel authority figure?
Blurring the lines between reality and fiction?
WWF figured out their own take on all of those WCW initiatives in time.
WCW made that work really well for a good stretch.
The Rock due to both being considered the The Peoples Champ of their respective promotions.
For The Rock, it was just a moniker to point out that he was popular.
He was the champion to the people.
DDP, on the other hand, was the champion OF the people.
Theres no major moment where it feels like the company outright ruined him.
At least the gimmick then led to his real-life turn as a yoga instructor.
Brian Pillman
That this one is on the list is a tragedy.
Brian Pillman had a wonderful career at WCW.
He won the first match on the very firstNitro.
It was a bit cringe even back then, and the WWF and Pillman later apologized for the storyline.
He absolutely would have been a big deal in the Attitude Era if things worked out differently.
Otherwise, WWF either went with gaudy lights and cheap fireworks (remember Sids sparkler entrance?)
or were just bland.
The sets from around this time rarely ever stood out all that well.
Hell,WrestleMania IXwas a cursed show, but at least the unique stage setup makes it memorable.
WCWs shows, meanwhile, had incredible vibes.
Chris Kanyon
No matter what was going on in WCW, Kanyon always ruled.
He was great in the ring and constantly entertaining.
His most memorable moment was dressing as Boy George and getting concussed by a chair shot from the Undertaker.
If you know the behind-the-scenes backstory to that, you know how disgusting it truly was.
La Parka
Whos better than Kanyon?
None other than La Parka, the best thing WCW had going for it in the 90s.
La Parka left WCW only a year before Vince McMahon bought the company.
Maybe they feared selling too much merchandise and having too much money.
Maybe they were afraid that Brock Lesnar would be overshadowed by the Skull Captain.
Whatever the reason, it shows why there should always be a viable wrestling alternative out there.
