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.
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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.
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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
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.
#4 ‘American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes
The late ‘American Dream' played an important role in the rise of the National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling. He wore many hats during his time there, both in the ring and behind the scenes.
Whether he was a World Champion or the head booker, Dusty Rhodes was a crucial cog that helped run the machine that was WCW. He had notable feuds with the likes of Ric, Harley Race, and Nikita Koloff, and in the process made everyone in the ring with him all the better for having been part of it.
At the end of the 80s, Dusty departed WCW and joined WWE. While he was there, with his charm and personality, he quickly became a fan favourite. Rhodes engaged in some notable feuds with the likes of Randy Savage and Ted DiBiase.
His short time there was more notable for the feuds he had, but couldn't compare to what he achieved in WCW. We could argue that his role was unlike what it was in WCW, but his time in WWE doesn't hold the same clout that it did down south.
#3 Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat
It may be hard to believe that a WWE Hall of Famer, was not as successful during his time with one company as he was with the other. If you don’t believe us, we suggest you review his role in both companies to see the difference.
With WWE, Ricky ‘The Dragon' Steamboat did reach a greater audience, as the exposure he received as part of the nationally televised product was unlike what he had in WCW. Fans will recall his feuds with the likes of the Magnificent Muraco, Jake ‘The Snake' Roberts and ‘Macho Man' Randy Savage.
His match against Savage at Wrestlemania III is one that fans still discuss today. It not only told a profound story of desperation and triumph over adversity, but fans couldn't help, but celebrate Steamboat's Intercontinental championship win.
However, during Steamboat’s time in the NWA and WCW, he was known for his hour-long matches against Ric Flair for the World championship, matches that have been described as the greatest of all time.
While Steamboat left and returned to the WWE, his role was never quite like it was in WCW, where the World, United States, and tag team championship reigns were all attained at one point or another.
#2 Lex Luger
At nearly 6'5 and 260 lbs, the Total Package was quite the specimen to behold. During his time in the NWA, which later became WCW, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Lex Luger was that unique combination of strength and speed, bundled up into one phenomenal package.
He captured the United States and WCW World Heavyweight championship and was a member of the iconic Four Horsemen. So when he departed WCW for WWE, it was easy to think that he would achieve the same success inside the ring and have a longstanding title reign.
When he first got there, Luger was first known as ‘The Narcissist,' and then was identified as ‘American Made.' He was supposed to be the second coming of Hulk Hogan, and he would challenge for the title at Wrestlemania X.
Unfortunately, Luger didn't capture the title, and as it turned out he would never capture the championship. Luger eventually departed the WWE in 1995, returning to WCW and once again used as the main event challenger that many knew him to be. Despite not achieving the same success in WWE, Luger was very successful in WCW.
#1 Sting
During his time in WCW, ‘The Franchise' was always synonymous with the promotion. While a number of men came and went from World Championship Wrestling, Sting was always the measuring stick by which all other talent was gauged.
He captured multiple championships, ranging from the United States to the World Championship. He was, without a doubt, the be all and end all as it pertained to WCW. From his legendary feuds to his iconic transformation to the black and white vigilante that watched from the rafters, Sting was unquestionably the painted face of the promotion.
When WCW closed its doors in 2001, Sting didn't move on to WWE, but rather walked away from wrestling for a time, only to re-emerge in Jeff Jarrett's TNA promotion. It wasn't until thirteen years later that Sting would make his WWE debut.
When he came to the company, the nearly fifty-five-year-old Sting, unfortunately, couldn't connect with fans today like he did during his rise to prominence in WCW. His success in WWE wasn't nearly the same as it was in WCW.
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