5 WCW wrestlers who went and became bigger in WWE

World Championship Wrestling (WCW) was a big deal back in the late 90s due to popular superstars such as Goldberg, Sting, Hollywood Hogan and of course, their enigmatic front-man Eric Bischoff. There were, however, some superstars that jumped ship either before, during or after WCW's height and became huge in the WWE.

#5 Rey Mysterio Jr.

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From his cruiserweight upbringing on WCW and ECW against the likes of Juventud Guerrero, Psicosis, Dean Malenko and Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio managed to take his diminutive stature and become a megastar in his later career. Although being a 5-time WCW Cruiserweight Champion, Rey was never seen as anything more than a cruiserweight in WCW and would struggle to get TV time against the heavyweights. A hair vs mask match against 'The Outsiders' (Nash and Hall) in 1999 started to spell the end for Rey in WCW as he was made to unmask and lose his identity.

Fast forward a few years and Rey became part of the new WWE after WCW was purchased by Vince, McMahon. Rey was now feuding higher up the card with the likes of Eddie Guerrero and Rob Van Dam. He later Tag Champion with both of them on separate occasions. His biggest break came with the unfortunate death of his longtime best friend Eddie Guerrero. After honouring him and receiving the crowd adulation in Eddie's place, Rey went on to win the 2006 Royal Rumble, and eventually onto WrestleMania 22 to face and beat Randy Orton for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Rey would go on and become a 3 time World Champion across the two WWE brands and also win the Intercontinental title.

#4 Eddie Guerrero

Eddie Guerrero had a long-time relationship with Rey Mysterio Jr but he himself was a breakout star in the WWE after not really being pushed in the WCW. Eddie was also classed as a cruiserweight given his size and high flying ability. He was not booked to appear high on the card in the heavyweight title picture. Feuds with Jericho, Syxx (X-Pac) and DDP (before DDP was in the main event) led to Eddie first capturing of the WCW United States Championship. Eddie also became a two-time Cruiserweight Champion in WCW but this was as far as management saw him go before he and his fellow 'Radicalz' Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn jumped to WWF.

His initial storyline of invading WWF was received well and he went on to become a European and Intercontinental Champion in his entertaining story with Chyna and 'Latino Heat'. Tag Title reigns with his nephew Chavo, Rey Mysterio and Tajiri would follow before he finally got his chance at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at No Way Out 2004 against 'The Beast' Brock Lesner. In an unforeseen upset, Eddie pinned Brock and went on to headline WrestleMania XX to defend his title against Kurt Angle.

Sadly, Eddie passed away less than 2 years later due to heart problems, with his legacy of being one of the greatest entertainers and in-ring performers of all time being inarguable. Eddie is now rightfully in the WWE Hall of Fame.

#3 Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho has much the same story as Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio from their WCW usage and perception in the company. A perennial Cruiserweight Championship contender with 4 reigns in the company, feuding with Dean Malenko, Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero and Alex Wright, before winning the WCW TV Championship from Stevie Ray (of Harlem Heat) in 1998. Chris wanted to move up into the heavyweight title picture and positioned himself with a match against Goldberg. WCW management (including Goldberg) did not see this as money-making and quashed the idea. Jericho took this as a foregone conclusion that he would never be in that position and so left the company.

Raw is War on August 1999 in Chicago saw Chris Jericho's big reveal using a millennium countdown clock and interrupted the 'People's Champ' The Rock. Chris had already made a big impression even though being in the company for a matter of minutes. Steadily working his way through the ranks of WWF/E and winning the Intercontinental Championship on 4 occasions, the European Championship and Tag Team championships, Chris would set his sights on the ultimate goal.

This goal was finally accomplished when Chris beat The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, the two biggest stars in Professional Wrestling, in one night, to become WWE's first Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. This was a massive leap from his days in WCW and solidified himself as a 'Main Event Guy'. Jericho's accomplishments stand as a 6-time World Heavyweight Champion, a record 9-time Intercontinental Champion and a 7-time World Tag Champion amongst others. He has also conquered the music, movie and podcasting world. A future member of the WWE Hall of Fame for sure!

#2 Triple H

'The Game', 'The King of Kings', 'The Cerebral Assassin', the COO of WWE. All grandiose nicknames that couldn't be further from his start in WCW under the guise of 'Terra Ryzing' and then Jean-Paul Levesque. Triple H had some matches as a tag team partner of William (Lord Steven) Regal but was soon off to WWF due to WCW refusing to make him a singles competitor.

Jean-Paul Levesque would become Hunter Hearst Helmsley and would capture the WWF Intercontinental title as a hated blue-blood snob and competed at WrestleMania 13 against Goldust. Triple H's first break came after winning the 1997 King of the Ring tournament and becoming part of the infamous D-Generation X stable with Chyna, Shawn Michaels and Rick Rude. This would later morph into Triple H being the leader of the group whilst adding the New Age Outlaws and X-Pac. Triple H feuded with the likes of The Nation and The Corporation.

Winning his first WWF Championship in 1999 from Mankind started a run that continues to this day, winning the WWE World Championship 14 times and being one of the long-term authority figures on screen. Marrying Stephanie McMahon in real life enabled years of stories involving her and his on-screen and off-screen father-in-law Vince McMahon, which has only enhanced his main event reputation.

Backstage, Triple H is also the Head of Talent. His brainchild, NXT has become one of the most popular wrestling products in the world due to his use of indy talent, storytelling and match ups.

#1 Stone Cold Steve Austin

The Texas Rattlesnake Stone Cold — 'The Texas Rattlesnake' Stone Cold

There can be no other person to top this list. Stone Cold is in Vince's words the "greatest WWE Superstar of all time" and for good reason. Although only having a run at the top of WWE for 5 years from 1997 to 2002, Stone Cold racked up an impressive resume of being a 3 time Royal Rumble winner and 6 time World Heavyweight Champion.

Life was not always so grand for Stone Cold. However, prior to his joining the WWF in 1995, 'Stunning Steve Austin' had some initial success as WCW TV Champion and WCW US Champion, before becoming an enemy of the WCW management due to his perceived 'unmarketable' character and being hard to work with. Austin also won the WCW Tag titles with Flying Brian Pillman as part of the Hollywood Blondes.

Aside from the World Championships and Royal Rumble wins, Stone Cold would also have one of the most memorable feuds of all time with Chairman Mr McMahon, confront Mike Tyson on national TV and be part of another memorable feud with 'The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment' The Rock. Their matches headlined a record 3 WrestleMania's and enabled WWE to sell more Stone Cold merchandise than any other superstar ever.

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Edited by Kishan Prasad