One thing I often think about is the timing of Chris Jericho leaving WCW. He departed the company in the summer of 1999 and had one of the hottest debuts. Growing up, WCW Nitro was my Monday show and WWF Shotgun Saturday Night was my weekend show. By 1999, I was mainly watching RAW and SmackDown. When Chris Jericho made his WWE debut it was wild since following wrestling U.S wrestling news wasn’t a priority if it wasn’t in a magazine.
Chris Jericho Left WCW At The Right Time
Jericho would go on to have a good first run in WWE but don’t let that be overshadowed by him leaving when he did. In WCW, his run with Ralphus as his minion towards the end was excellent whereas him and Mr. Hughes did nothing for me. I blame Hughes. There’s just something about that brief window of time where it benefited his career in the long run.
The simplest way to think about it is to think about the guys who left within four or five months of him. There’s Saturn, Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, and Eddie Guerrero–all by January 2000. Those guys managed to beat WWE’s booking that mishandled a lot of WCW castaways following the buyout.
Thriving In WWE
Looking at everyone’s career, Malenko wasn’t that in the mix of things. Plus, he retired a year after signing but had a good run as a producer for WWE. Saturn’s success in the company was on par with his WCW run. He was featured heavily in the midcard and had minor storylines—including a feud with WCW nemesis Raven.
Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, and Eddie Guerrero thrived in WWE. The company saw value in the three and featured them prominently in feuds, title shots, title reigns, and main event bouts. They had enough “it” factor to be pushed during different periods and produced memorable moments and matches. This also upped their stock in case they were to ever leave the company.
Then you have to consider the guys who left WCW a little late or were brought over after the buyout. When you run down the names and include ECW guys who came in months later, you’re looking at talents who didn’t have the best run in WWE.
As a matter of fact, besides Rob Van Dam, Rhino, Tajiri, and Lance Storm if someone was coming in from ECW or made their name there, their flag in WWE was going to be via multiple Hardcore title reigns. Sprinkle in a few Tag Team title reigns for some talents. WCW castaways were a mixed bag with Booker T and Rey Mysterio being the only consistent floaters.
Once the first brand split happened, these two would become cornerstones for SmackDown as far as reeling in demographics on syndicated television.
Timing is everything in wrestling and knowing when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em and sign to a more accommodating promotion is a skill.
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