Wrestling Forum banner

What wrestler from the past would you be OK with being a world champion if they were a fresh new young talent today?

2K views 23 replies 22 participants last post by  Ghost Lantern 
#1 ·
I mean any wrestler from the past that never won a world title, but you thought had the potential to be a WWE world champion. For me, it's Tazz. The guy felt like a legit badass and he really didn't have to say anything on the mic to be entertaining. However, he did his part well on the mic too. I would have loved to seen him become the WWE at one point in his career. Samoa Joe reminds me a lot of him.
 
#7 ·
As this is in the WWE section - Test


If WWE are wiling to put the belt on just about anyone these days, a guy like Test would probably be a great champion today.

Yep, guys like Rude, Piper, Vader, Steamboat, Dibiase, Andre, Perfect, Razor, Snuka, etc etc etc are also in the mix. But they were always touted as should of haves.... In the vibe of this thread, I'll go with a guy like Test who was huge, agile, promos weren't great, but in today's scripted environment, does it matter, and everything he did looked vicious. Especially his big boot.
 
#8 ·
Yep, guys like Rude, Piper, Vader, Steamboat, Dibiase, Andre, Perfect, Razor, Snuka, etc etc etc are also in the mix. But they were always touted as should of haves....
Agree, in those days barring a few exceptions you pretty much have to be a babyface if you want a decent run with a belt...and in those days for many wrestlers its acceptable to not be WWE Champion as long as you are constantly working hot angles, working main events and making a lot of money. Piper is constantly thrown there as a name that should be a WWE Champion at least once, but as Piper said it wasnt necessary since he was always so over (IIRC he was actually legitimately considered for a short WWE title run but he turned it down? Not sure if this was true)

There also isnt that much of an incentive for bookers/promoters to try out the belt on a few different guys to get these different guys over....those guys were already over af and this was fueled by how much kayfabe was alive (its a sad thing that now belts are used as mere props to put over guys as opposed to the guys themselves being so over that they HAD TO BE given the belt).

Back on topic, for me in the modern-ish era (post 1997) it would probably be:

- Mr Kennedy

- Val Venis (with a non-porn star gimmick though because seriously how can you take the show seriously if a porn star is your "best wrestler").

- Wade Barrett

- Cody Rhodes

I also thought Rene Dupree could have been something if given more time and a proper push. Vince was obviously high on him and IMO he would have gotten a solid midcard run, but Dupree admitted he had a lot of drug problems and really needed to leave the WWE. (I know HHH wasnt high on him since Dupree at the time could only rely on the French gimmick to gain heel heat.)
 
#10 ·
Taken into consideration who I think would work the best in today's climate my easy answer is Rick Rude. Amazing physique, the athleticism and in ring ability to fit right in now, and an absolute heat magnet. Jake and Henning would be next. Now, if I could have an early 90's pre injury Scott Steiner with his late 90's character he would be my answer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BaeJLee
#14 ·
Test, Perfect, yeah I could go with Tazz, Steamboat, Jake the Snake.
 
#18 ·
I wouldn't want Scott Hall simply because I think he sabotaged his own career. I guess the same could be said for Jake Roberts...they could have been champions but the company maybe just didn't want to give them so much responsibility because they didn't think they could handle it. Someone like Steamboat though, was a hard dedicated worker, and he gave a somewhat blend of reality that he actually could kick someone's ass with martial arts if he needed to.
 
#20 · (Edited)



Easily. He'd be by far the most over man in the main event if he was around. Guy had such swagger and presence that it was ridiculous. Arguably the greatest "look" ever and he carried himself like a top guy.




Razor could wrestle and talk. In a perfect world where he decided to never to pick up a bottle of alcohol, he'd be shot to the moon in today's WWE and rightfully so.






He'd undoubtedly debut as a heel but there's no way he'd stay one for long.
 
#23 ·
Shelton Benjamin. Could have been a Chris Benoit type of star who made it as an underdog. He had some very strong matches back in 2002-2005 even on weeklies and could have made it to the top eventually.
 
#24 · (Edited)
In all my years of watching the sport I really only guessed wrong on Kennedy.

He was a missed opportunity.

Henning was an AWA champ as was Lawler.

Piper was probably a guy who could have held a title but was so protected in his wins and losses that came around in the Hogan era that I don't mind that he did not win the title. He had a great career that did not need the belt.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top