2. “The Crippler” Chris Benoit (2000)
After “stealing” his wife in 1996, Chris Benoit wasn’t very happy when in January 2000, Kevin Sullivan became the new Headbooker of the company.
Benoit who among others, didn’t feel very comfortable with this new situation, to say the least, wanted to leave WCW, so, in order to change his mind and show that he won’t get held back by him, Sullivan booked him to win the vacant (after Bret retired) WCW World Heavyweight Championship in the Main Event of the WCW Souled Out 2000 PPV.
Despite becoming the World Champion for the first time in his career, Benoit left the promotion right after the PPV had ended.
The next night on WCW Monday Nitro, it was revealed that Sid Vicious’ foot was under the ropes while he tapped out, something that had been done in case Benoit would leave the company, which is exactly what happened.
A few weeks later Chris Benoit and other WCW Wrestlers who had left the company with him, Eddie Guerrero, Perry Saturn & Dean Malenko showed up on WWF Monday Night RAW, where they were spotted sitting in the crowd.
They became known as ‘The Radicalz’.
