Most Dangerous WCW Wrestlers
Danger is part of the game with pro wrestling both on-screen and even in backstage scenarios. The television aspect sees wrestlers putting their bodies on the line every week since risk is involved. Some wrestlers struggled to deliver certain moves or took part in moments that showed the dangerous elements of the industry.
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WCW actually produced a lot of great stories, characters, and matches, that led to some amazing pay-per-views.Backstage incidents of someone having a dangerous reputation or persona could create issues on that side of the job. WCW witnessed some names getting into fights or making others feel unsafe with their actions. The following wrestlers were the most dangerous to compete in WCW’s entire history.
10 Vader Was Known For Working Stiff
WCW Made Him A Tremendous Heel World Champion
- Wrestlers Considered Vader's Wrestling Style Too Reckless
- WCW Loved Vader's Stiff Shots As A Monster Heel Character
- Reputation Hurt Him More In WWE Than WCW Or New Japan
The danger felt in Vader’s matches was used to make him feel like a terrifying wrestler by design, but it didn’t always appease other wrestlers. Vader delivered stiff shots and power moves in his offense to keep the audience on their toes.
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There were many challengers for WCW's top prize that fans don't remember at all.WCW benefited from Vader adding the danger element to his matches in that role. However, it hurt Vader more in WWE when names like Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart clashed with his working style to make his run there less memorable.
9 Sabu Brought ECW Style To WCW First
Rare WCW Wrestler That Used Weapons In 1995
- First WCW Wrestler To Use ECW Style When Joining
- Only Wrestled A Few Months For WCW Before Ending
- Both Parties Wanted Them Out Of Deal When Parting Ways
WCW hired Sabu after his initial breaking out in ECW as arguably their most popular star in the mid-1990s. Sabu was signed to do his same act as an innovative wrestler using weapons and risky moves that increased the element of danger.
The WCW tenure was short, but Sabu became known for using chairs and tables at a time when that was rare. Sabu has suffered more injuries than the average wrestler to see his body in bad shape today. However, the dangerous style was part of Sabu’s identity in the industry.
8 Rick Steiner Was Involved In Wild Backstage Pranks
Steiner Brothers Often Physically Hazed Other Wrestlers
- Crazy Backstage Stories Made Rick Steiner Intimidating Figure
- Pranks Often Crossed Line From Funny To Dangerous
- Some Wrestlers Even Went As Far As To Call Him Bully
The Steiner Brothers were considered the wrestlers newcomers wanted to avoid since they took part in the hazing ritual of wrestling. Some wrestlers do funny lighthearted pranks, but Rick and Scott often did physical things.
Rick allegedly came up with the idea to duct tape a smaller referee from head to toe, with many other stories like that coming out. The physical in-ring style of Rick also added to the risks of danger in their matches.
7 Sid Vicious’ Matches Often Had Botches
Both Sid & His Opponents Were Put At Risk
- Sid Had Quite A Few Botches Throughout Career
- Powerbomb Was A Tough Finisher With Danger Involved
- Injuring Himself Was The Most Dangeorus Moment From Sid
Sid Vicious was an underrated top star from the 1990s since he thrived in both main event scenes for WWE and WCW. One of the reasons Sid doesn’t get the celebration today as every other wrestler with that much objective success was his match quality.
The power moves of Sid caused him to have some noteworthy botches almost hurting others. Sid suffered an injury himself when landing on his foot in one of the ugliest injuries in wrestling history to terrify fans watching.
6 Raven Made Dangerous Matches Part Of His Character
WCW Found Success With The “Raven’s Rules” Matches
- ECW Reputation Required Him Was Used In WCW
- Raven's Rules Matches Set Up Dangerous Moments
- Deserves Credit For Avoiding Injuries In His Wild Matches
The mid-card tenure of Raven made him a great signing for WCW after having a strong main event run in ECW. Raven was known for hardcore wrestling and utilized that as part of his twisted and tormented character.
WCW even created the “Raven’s Rules” match as part of his demands for joining the promotion in kayfabe. Raven using weapons and having wild matches gave fans a productive level of danger. Credit is owed to Raven for few people getting hurt in these matches.
5 Meng Was The Toughest Man In Wrestling History
Everyone Viewed Meng As Too Dangerous To Mess With
- Real Life Toughness Stories Led To Meng's Reputation
- Fans Viewed Him Equally Terrifying In The WCW Ring
- Meng Was The Last Wrestler Anyone In WCW Wanted To Fight
WCW portrayed Meng as a tough bad ass since that followed his reputation in real life. Both WWE and WCW locker rooms viewed Meng as the toughest man in the industry due to the real stories of him winning almost all his fights.
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While WCW had its fair share of bad gimmick changes, they fortunately got these ones right!Bar stories made Meng a legend that still gets talked about with that reputation today. Eric Bischoff even said on his podcast that he loved having Meng in the locker room since it kept people on their toes, despite the tension of WCW’s backstage politics.
4 Mick Foley Made WCW More Dangerous As Cactus Jack
WCW Allowed Foley To Raise The Violence Level In Matches
- Hardcore Wrestling Made Cactus Jack Stand Out
- Took The Risk Of Having Dangerous Matches For Stardom
- Foley Even Lost His Ear During Infamous Match Vs Vader
Mick Foley had his first big break in the United States in WCW as Cactus Jack. The matches of Cactus shocked fans with new weapons and dangerous spots that were never seen in American wrestling before him.
Various injuries showed that Mick even knew he was putting his body at risk. Foley lost his ear facing Vader in an international match, but it came during his timeline as a WCW talent. The match style of Cactus led to an increased risk of danger and pain.
3 Kevin Nash Had An All-Time Scary Wrestling Moment
Powerbomb Botch Showed Dangers Of That Finishing Move
- Finishing Move Was Difficult Against Fellow Big Men
- Almost Ruined Big Show's Career With Wild Botch
- WCW Made Storyline Banning Move Around This
Kevin Nash was considered one of the best big men on the roster for WCW in the 1990s. A battle of the giants between Nash and Big Show aka The Giant led to a scary moment that showed Big Kev could be dangerous.
The difficult spot of lifting The Giant in the air saw Nash dropping him on his head. Big Show luckily avoided a career-changing injury, but it showed the dangers in wrestling with that move. Nash avoided working with big men monster heels after that mistake.
2 Goldberg Was Viewed As All-Time Reckless Wrestler
Opponents Complained About Goldberg Hurting Them
- Did Moves At Full Power Hurting Opponents For Real
- Injured Himself Punching Limo Window In Scary Moment
- Ended Bret Hart's Career With Vicious Head Kick
WCW pushing Goldberg as the top star led to him steam rolling over opponents to extend his undefeated streak. Goldberg often made things look “real” by delivering his power moves at full strength.
Many wrestlers were upset since Goldberg didn’t have to take their moves for receipts. Goldberg even hurt himself with the infamous moment punching a limo window while feeling bulletproof. Bret Hart’s career ending at the hands of Goldberg was the low point and biggest story of his dangerous side.
1 Scott Steiner Was Dangerous In Multiple Ways
Both On-Screen & Backstage Personas Created Chaos
- Tag Team Chapter Of Career Had Him Dangerous With Rick
- Main Event Push Made Scott More Chaotic & Unpredictable
- Had Scary Backstage Fight Almost Severely Hurting DDP
The same stories from Rick Steiner’s career of being a backstage hazer followed Scott Steiner. However, his level of danger increased in the later years of WCW during his Big Poppa Pump character and bigger role on the show.
Steiner had a backstage fight with Diamond Dallas Page after insulting his wife Kimberly during a shoot promo. Various shoot interviews claimed wrestlers feared for DDP’s life with how vicious Scott was. No wrestler represented danger more than Steiner in WCW.
