WWE was lucky enough to hire the most notable names in the WCW once they bought the company. When WCW folded in 2001, many talents were able to work for WWE almost immediately, participating in the Alliance Invasion angle. Others, like the nWo, would take another year before making the leap. It took some like Sting over a decade to finally do it.
Anyway, the impression is that everyone ends up working for Vince McMahon sooner or later, but believe it or not, there are still a select few WCW wrestlers who never do this. Some avoided WWE out of sheer defiance, while others didn't sign due to time or, in some cases, lack of interest in WWE's end. Either way, it's worth evaluating and analyzing the few names in WCW history who never made the jump to WWE.
10
Bobby Eaton
WCW's Most Underrated Performer
Bobby Eaton is best known as one half of The Midnight Express, one of the greatest tag teams of all timebut even after his team's demise, he continued to perform in WCW in various roles, including singles action. He would be released in March 2000, just under a year before the company closed. Eaton was the definition of an all-around worker. Whether he was working as an enhancement talent or getting a real push, and whether he was in a duo or flying solo, the former WCW Television Champion excelled in every role he played.
Given his reputation for being completely underrated, it's surprising to think that WWE never tried to get him. At worst, he at least carried the pedigree of being part of a highly celebrated tag team. That certainly could have counted for something, but unfortunately, he never worked for WWE.
9
La Parka
More than a meme
These days people know La Parka best as a funny meme, which is fair. His dancing gimmick ended like a rover, so there are a lot of classic clips of him that reasonably resurface because they're so funny. However, La Parka was more than a meme and even more than what World Championship Wrestling showed him. Outside of WCW, he was a world-renowned luchador and former world champion.
In WCW, La Parka (or LA Park, for legal reasons) was the president, mainly because he always carried a chair that he often used as an air guitar. The crowds loved it, and in turn, they loved him even when he frequently lost matches. Win or lose, La Parka was always fun to watchand probably would have been a fun addition to the WWE roster if he had been given the chance.
8
Vampire
One of WCW's best stars in a dying era
Having signed with WCW during the end of its run, Vampiro can be cited as one of the last big stars molded by the company. His main event status never resulted in a world title, as he suffered an injury right before WWE purchased WCW, which put him on the shelf for the rest of the run (and chose not to sign with Vince McMahon), but things that he accomplished will keep him in the good memories of the fans who watched that race.
Vampiro carried some of the craziest storylines under the WCW banner, bringing excitement to the product regularly during its final days, despite some of Vince Russo's worst ideas being in the works during this time. Most notable was his rivalry with former Brothers in Paint tag team partner Sting and their Human Torch Match, where the winner sets the loser on fire.
7
Akira Hokuto
The first (and only) WCW Women's Champion
Before arriving at WCW in 1995, Akira Hokuto made his mark in All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he gained status as a one of the best fighters to ever lace up a pair of boots. There, instant classics against the likes of Shinobu Kandori and Aja Kong would capture the attention of North America. In due course, she came to WCW for high-profile matches alongside WWE Hall of Famer Bull Nakano. Through WCW's working relationship with GAEA, she would compete in a tournament to crown the first WCW Women's Champion.
In the finals, she defeated future WWE Hall of Famer Madusa at Starrcade – WCW's biggest show of the year – to become the inaugural Women's Champion. She would then retire former Alunda Blayze in a Great American Bash rematch. However, this would be Hokuto's last match in WCW, as her relationship with GAEA would end soon after and the title would become vacant, making Hokuto the last WCW Women's Champion.
6
Alex Wright
Great fighter with a silly but beloved gimmick
Alex Wright is best remembered for the silly characters he played, especially when he was Das Wunderkind, the lovable German dancer. Extravagant for the time, but he quickly shut out his doubters in the ring. Wright was a genuinely great fighter with a ridiculous character. When he was repackaged with an edgier, Berlyn (still somewhat ridiculous) personality, the unfortunate coincidence of the perpetrators of the Columbine massacre dressing similarly led to him being sidelined for a time.
His in-ring ability justified pushing him as WCW Television Champion and Cruiserweight Champion. Wright was unable to sign with WWE when WCW closed its doors, as he was one of the wrestlers signed to AOL Time Warner. While this technicality delayed the arrival of many wrestlers (like Hulk Hogan and Goldberg), Wright more or less chose to retire rather than wait.
5
Steve Ray
A solid player
This is a choice some readers might be quick to scoff at, but Stevie Ray was better than some might remember. While he certainly wasn't on the same level as his tag team partner Booker T, it takes two to tango in any tag team. Even though Booker was the highlight of Harlem Heat, Stevie Ray would still be considered what is called in the business “a good hand.” This means that Stevie was a solid fighter, more than competent and could even put on a great fight with the right opponent.
Not every fighter can be main event material or make it to the top of the card. Some wrestlers act in someone else's story, many of whom play it well. Stevie Ray, given the opportunity, would certainly have made at least one decent addition to WWEmaybe even an intimidating heater for someone else.
4
Silver King
A Lucha Libre legend from Mexico
Silver King is remembered as one of the best masked luchadores in all of wrestling. Even after losing his mask, before he was able to wear it again, his career had notable moments as a staple of AAA and CMLL. Among those moments for the late AAA Hall of Famer were his appearances in WCW.
One of Eric Bischoff's best ideas included maintaining working relationships with overseas wrestling promotions, including CMLL. Silver King would catch the attention of WCW and after a few initial appearances would end up signing with the company full-time in 1997, joining the Cruiserweight division. Although the former CMLL World Heavyweight Champion did not win any titles under the banner, he would cement his legacy by joining the Latin World Order (lWo) and fighting competitors such as Dean Malenko and Juventud Guerrera for the Cruiserweight Championship . He would return to CMLL in 2001 before WWE could try to get him.
3
daffney
The Scream Queen was an unsung pioneer of women's wrestling
When speaking with Figure Four Daily on the Wrestling Observer, Lance Storm recalled Chris Jericho trying to get Daffney Unger signed by WWE at some point in his career, only to be told by management that they didn't like the “Screaming stuff.” That's a shame, because Daffney was one of WCW's standout women, largely thanks to her charisma.
She had a unique and fun character, but her work in the indies and TNA would showcase the best of her in-ring ability. High-profile fights against Taylor Wilde and hardcore moments (like being chokeslammed into barbed wire) would earn her respect backstage and from fans, even if they caused her excruciating pain. Unfortunately, her mental health struggles would lead Shannon Spurrill to end her life in 2021. Her sudden passing allowed fans to look back on her career and recognize her influence on women's wrestling, including the way she inspired WWE Superstars.
2
Ole Anderson
The only horseman who didn't work for Vince McMahon
Ole Anderson has the privilege of being the only original founding member of the Four Horsemen who never worked for Vince McMahon. While it's easy to imagine the Chairman having an interest in the founder of one of wrestling's biggest factions, Ole Anderson had no interest in going to WWE, as he openly criticized Vince McMahon's business decision to expand and go national instead of respecting the territory. system.
Vince's business practices did more to convince Ole to remain in the NWA/WCW, where he would remain for the rest of his career. Upon retiring permanently, the former Tag Team Champion would maintain a behind-the-scenes presence as WCW's main booker. Additionally, he became the head trainer at the WCW Power Plant (the equivalent of WWE's NXT Performance Center developmental training facility). For his accomplishments in and out of the ring, Ole would be inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame, proving that he would have been an instrumental asset to the WWE on and off screen.
1
The Great Muta
A global wrestling legend who influenced a generation
Whenever a question like this is asked, The Great Muta's name is often the first one that comes to mind, as he is one of the most talented wrestlers on the planet who has never worked for WWE. Keiji Muto first competed in WCW in 1989, becoming a frequent foil to Ric Flair and Sting. In the last rivalry, he defeated The Icon for the WCW Television Championship. That wouldn't be his only title in WCW, as he briefly held the World Tag Team Title with Vampiro in 2000.
Finding success outside of WCW in a career spanning nearly 40 years, the WCW Battlebowl winner is one of the few men to hold both the NWA and IWGP world titles at the same time. Though the Great Muta never fought WWE before retiring in 2023, the WCW the legend would be inducted into the Hall of Fame two months after hanging up his boots.