10 Wrestlers You Forgot Were In WCW
When it came to World Championship Wrestling, names that fans immediately would mention were Sting, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Diamond Dallas Page, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Goldberg. But then there are others who went completely over fans’ heads. Here are 10 performers that you forgot wrestled in WCW.
AJ Styles
Before he was a WWE Superstar, as well as a mega star in TNA, AJ Styles got his first national exposure with WCW. During the company’s dying days in 2001, there was a Crusierweight Tag Team division that Styles took part in, along with his tag partner, Air Paris.
Christopher Daniels
For hardcore wrestling fans, Christopher Daniels was a darling of the independent wrestling scene during the 90’s. He wrestled in WWF, as part of the Light Heavyweight Division, with his most notable match being against Taka Michinoku on Shotgun Saturday Night. In 2000, Daniels would join WCW. He sustained a neck injury in January of 2001, and never wrestled for the company again. Daniels went on to have great success in TNA.
Edge
It’s hard to believe that one of the best wrestlers of WWE’s Ruthless Aggression Era would be used as an enhancement talent, but that was the case, when Edge joined WCW in 1996. The Rated R Superstar wrestled under the name Damon Striker. One of his matches was against Meng (Haku in WWF).
Honky Tonk Man
When Hulk Hogan arrived to WCW in 1994, one of the wrestlers he helped get signed to the company was The Honky Tonk Man. Self-proclaiming himself as the greatest Intercontinental champion in history, Honky wrestled some in WCW, but was fired by Eric Bischoff in late ‘94.
Iron Sheik
Much like The Honky Tonk Man, Iron Sheik being in WCW feels out of place. He debuted for the promotion in 1989, and had his most notable match with Sting. After a seven month absence, he returned to WCW, when Ole Anderson became the booker. Sheik was on a one-year deal, but a mistake by WCW to not make notice to his contract allowed his deal to roll over - thus continuing to work for the company. In early 1991, Sheik left WCW.
Junkyard Dog
Before joining WCW in 1988, Sylvester Ritter, better known as Junkyard Dog, reached wrestling stardom, with both Mid South Wrestling and WWF. While JYD wasn’t known for his in-ring skills, he certainly had charisma for days. JYD got the opportunity to wrestle Ric Flair in 1990. He would leave WCW three years later.
Mark Calaway
Mark Calaway joined WCW in 1989, where he wrestled as Mean Mark Callous. The name was given to him by Terry Funk. After teaming with Dan Spivey as The Skyscrapers, Calaway began to wrestle as a single in 1990. Ole Anderson, who didn’t see much potential in the big man, let Calaway walk away from the company. At the 1990 Survivor Series, Calaway made his WWF debut as The Undertaker, and the rest as they say is history.
Marty Jannetty
When it comes to Marty Jannetty’s wrestling career, the first thing people think is his great work with Shawn Michaels as The Rockers. After Michaels turned heel on Jannetty in 1992, Jannetty’s fame wasn’t as bright. Unlike HBK, Jannetty was only a serviceable, singles wrestler. In 1996, he would form The New Rockers with Leif Cassidy (Al Snow), but it was nowhere near as successful as the original incarnation. WCW presented Thunder in January of 1998, and there was a conscious effort by Eric Bischoff to sign new talent. Jannetty was among them. He wrestled for the most part as a jobber, before getting released by WCW in 1999.
Owen Hart
Owen Hart was one of the most beloved wrestlers of his era. From multi-skilled performer to notorious prankster, Owen was one of a kind. Although a large majority of wrestling fans associate Owen as a WWF Superstar, it’s the fact that he actually wrestled for the opposition. Owen joined WCW in 1991, where he wrestled in five matches, all of which were against preliminary workers. One of the those matches saw him teaming up with Ricky Morton. Owen returned to WWF shortly after, where he feuded with his brother Bret, and had tag team success with The British Bulldog.
Rick Martel
Regardless of the promotion, Rick Martel has had noteworthy success. From AWA World champion to three-time tag team champion in the WWF, Martel was a solid, in-ring performer. Despite the skill set, it was perhaps his model gimmick in The Fed that most people remember most about him. After debuting for WCW in January of 1998, Martel would capture the World Television title a month later by defeating Booker T. Later that year, he would retire from in-ring competition. Martel is not in the WWE Hall of Fame, which still remains a mystery.