hero-image

5 Wrestlers that wrestled in WWE but did better in WCW

Where does the Total Package rank in our list of wrestlers that achieved greater success in WCW than in the WWE?

When a wrestler moves from one promotion to another, there is always a risk. In some cases, the risk is completely worth it, and all that stands in the way of greater success is their own personal limitations.

In other instances, questionable booking, weak character development, and a lack of storylines make for a difficult transition to a new place of employment. Wrestlers' careers are defined by what they have or haven't accomplished. In the cases of these men, they didn't achieve the same success in WWE that they did in WCW, but that isn't to say they didn't have successful careers.

Unfortunately, one company may have a different perspective on a talent than another, thus affecting what direction they will go with them. Sometimes there is a better ‘fit' in one place as compared to another.

During its existence, World Championship Wrestling had some of the most prominent names in wrestling. Many had success both there and in WWE. However, who were these men, all with legendary careers, who simply didn't reach the same level in WWE that they did in WCW?

Here are five wrestlers that competed in WWE, but were more successful in WCW.


#5 Vader

As a former WCW champion, Vader came close to capturing the WWE title but unfortunately didn’t.

Often referred to as the mastodon, Vader was both big and agile and was always impressive in the ring. Nearly 400 lbs of thick, masked fearsomeness, Vader was still able to hit a moonsault and a splash, with both spelling the end for his opposition.

While in WCW, Vader had a rivalry with Cactus Jack that was as brutal and bloody as any feud fans would see at any point in time. He was a former WCW world heavyweight champion and faced the likes of WWE Hall of Famers Sting and Ric Flair in classic matches.

However, when he came to WWE during the last half of the 1990s, the man who had been built up and used so effectively in WCW wasn't positioned the same way. Despite feuding with the likes of Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart (as part of the anti-American feud with the Hart Foundation,) Vader didn't capture the same acclaim, nor was he a Heavyweight champion in WWE.

It doesn't diminish his career accomplishments, it is just unfortunate he wasn't built up the same way.

You may also like