WCW was the home of some glorious wrestling in the 90s, as the revamped product of Ted Turner with the creative mind of Eric Bischoff provided some stiff competition for Vince McMahon’s ever-dominating WWE. After WCW had signed all the big guys from the WWE, they went on with the nWo storyline and added a few more amazing characters like Goldberg, offering brilliant storytelling as well as compelling wrestling, which encouraged the 90s wrestling fan to tune in to the live shows of WCW rather than the taped ones of WWE.
Of course WCW failed to keep the fire going, as they started to crumble as WWE came up with more exciting characters and compelling storylines, and started to self-destruct in its last years in the company, even though some talents tried their very best to keep it alive. Now that the company has folded and been bought out by the WWE, it seems like a distant memory for many. But WCW did have its share of talented wrestlers in its prime, which made for great as well as horrible storylines. Unfortunately, some of the more underrated wrestlers in WCW’s time seem to be forgotten now.
Even though the prime crop of WCW in Sting and Goldberg seem to keep their relevance intact, many others were forgotten soon after the company folded and weren’t signed by the WWE either. Much of these wrestlers decided to retire from wrestling after their WCW run and tried their luck in some other field and were forced to find new lines of work. Here are 15 such cases.
31 15. Disco Inferno (then)
Disco Inferno was probably one of the most annoying yet entertaining characters in the WCW for some time, as he’d dance and gyrate to the ring. He’d gradually rise as a mid-carder before he started challenging for the gold, starting with the Cruiserweight Championship which he failed to win. He did win the WCW Television Title twice in a couple of months, before having a short stint as part of “The Dancing Fools” with Alex Wright. Inferno would later be a member of the nWo Wolfpac, and later also be part of The Mamalukes and The Filthy Animals. He later reunited with Alex Wright to form The Boogie Knights, and remained with WCW till it was bought by the WWE.
30 15. Disco Inferno (now)
Disco went to wrestle for the World Wrestling All-Stars after he was out of a job, and not only performed for them but also helped to book shows for them. He then went onto join TNA in the same year, where he had his own weekly talk segment called “Jive Talkin’” but the segment lasted for only 3 weeks. Inferno would go onto manage Sports Entertainment Xtreme and the New York Connection later on for short stints before leaving TNA. He returned later in 2007, as he became a road agent for the promotion and also contributed to the creative team. He rarely made TV appearances and later on left TNA again to go back to the Indy circuit. Disco continues to help promotions with their booking and also sporadically wrestles, as he’s an entertaining character who was quickly forgotten after the demise of WCW.
29 14. Juventud Guerrera (then)
Signing in from ECW, Juventud Guerrera was really noticed by the fans when he debuted in the Cruiserweight Division of WCW, where he’d compete as a masked luchador in his first years in the company. Guerrera would wait for his moment till the debut episode of WCW Thunder, where he’d win his first Cruiserweight Championship from Ultimo Dragon. He would go back and forth with the title, having a memorable feud with Chris Jericho which would lead to a Mask vs Title match, which Guerrera lost forcing him to unmask. Guerrera would also become an announcer for WCW Thunder during his time dealing with an injury, and called himself “The Juice” emulating The Rock from WWE. In 2000, after an incident at a hotel while touring with WCW, Guerrera was arrested and later fired by WCW.
28 14. Juventud Guerrera (now)
After being released by WCW, Guerrera would go onto wrestle for many independent promotions and also go onto have a short stint in the newly-formed TNA. He would be signed by the WWE in 2005, where he’d be a part of “The Mexicools” with Psychosis and Super Crazy but the team wouldn’t be as relevant as they’d wanted. Juventud couldn’t really excel as the mouthpiece of the stable, and later they disbanded after which Guerrera won the Cruiserweight Title for some time. He was released a year later for backstage issues, and went to perform for the Mexican Promotion Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion. He’d wrestle in some events for AAA, and also wrestled for indy promotions. In his final years, he’d be heavily involved in the product and formed a stable as well, which was overtaken by another member. Guerrera doesn’t wrestle that much nowadays and is divorced as well, as things don’t seem to be going that well for this forgotten luchador.
27 13. Meng (then)
Meng (known as Haku in WWE) came to WCW during its prime time and after an underwhelming stint at WWE, he needed a change in order to be regarded as a main star. Debuting initially as the intimidating bodyguard of Col. Rob Parker, Meng would soon become a force to be reckoned with in WCW as he destroyed much of the lower-mid carders during his stint at the company. After losing to Sting for the United States Title, Meng aligned with the Dungeon of Doom to form “The Faces of Fear” and had a destructive finishing maneuver during this time. He later went on a winning streak of destroying jobbers in WCW, before it was broken in a match against Goldberg. After trying to remain relevant by feuding with the stars of WCW, Meng finally won a title in the WCW Hardcore Championship soon after it was debuted, and remained the final WCW Hardcore Champion.
26 13. Meng (now)
After leaving the sinking ship of WCW, Meng returned to WWE in the 2001 Royal Rumble and later formed a team with Rikishi which didn’t last long because of Rikishi’s injury. He would be left to wrestle on B-shows before being released soon after. Meng then went to wrestle in the World League Wrestling and although he has essentially retired, he continued to make appearances in the wrestling ring. In 2009 he would wrestle regularly for World Xtreme Wrestling and also appeared in Chikara’s 2012 King of Trios Tournament where his team was eliminated in the first round by Team ROH. Earlier this year, Meng appeared in New Japan Pro Wrestling in their Wrestle Kingdom 10 where he participated in the New Japan Rumble. The following day, he teamed with his son in a match as he’s again semi-retired at the moment with the ability to come back at any time, but this destructive monster-heel is barely remembered right now.
25 12. Lash LeRoux (then)
An aspiring cartoonist, John LeRoux tried to make it big in WCW when he saw an advertisement for the WCW Power Plant and was accepted by the developmental territory. He was introduced as “Lash LeRoux” and impressed WCW officials enough to get a contract for himself. He started out in the Cruiserweight Division where he won the Cruiserweight Title once, before going on to form a tag team with Disco Inferno. He was soon storyline fired by WCW President Eric Bischoff for not helping protect him from Diamond Dallas Page. LeRoux and several wrestlers who were fired came back as “Misfits in Action” with LeRoux becoming known as “Corporal Cajun”. He won the WCW Tag Team titles with Lieutenant Loco, as LeRoux and co. were pretty relevant for some time. After being discharged from the MIA, he went onto wrestle as a singles competitor again before wrestling his last match against Rick Steiner.
24 12. Lash LeRoux (now)
After WCW was bought by the WWE, LeRoux was signed by the WWE to a three year developmental contract and was sent to the Heartland Wrestling Association for training along with several other former WCW wrestlers. He negotiated his release in 2002, preferring to “pursue other options rather than be stuck in a limbo”. After being released by the WWE, LeRoux appeared at the inaugural TNA PPV where he competed in the Gauntlet for the Gold match. After recovering from an injury, he would occasionally appear for TNA Xplosion. He then went on to perform for Georgia Championship Wrestling and Deep South wrestling, before retiring from wrestling altogether. LeRoux continued his cartoon career as his work was featured in wrestling magazines and websites like Pro Wrestling Illustrated and The Wrestler, as he has become a full-time cartoonist and illustrator since retiring from wrestling and has been forgotten by fans for a long time now.
23 11. Prince Iaukea (then)
After being trained by Dean Malenko, Prince Iaukea impressed the WCW officials enough to get a professional contract and be packaged as this hard-hitting Samoan wrestler with a solid wrestling ability and submission specialist. He was a solid mid-carder for a number of years, as he won his first title, the WCW Television Title, from Lord Steven Regal and held it for about two months. He then went to New Japan to work with some of the great Japanese wrestlers, but was injured after being severely kicked by Koji Kanemoto. He came back to WCW, where he was now a lower mid-carder and was later repackaged as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince Iaukea, which was later shortened to The Artist. He would win the Cruiserweight Championship in his last days with the company.
22 11. Prince Iaukea (now)
Iaukea found himself out of work after WCW folded up, and went onto wrestle for various independent promotions around the country. He wrestled for some time for Jimmy Hart’s X Wrestling Federation, before he went to work as a security contractor overseas. He went back to wrestling as he won the NWA Florida Junior Heavyweight Title of the Floridian promotion Pro Wrestling Fusion in 2008 as well. Iaukea currenty promotes and owns 3SX Pro Wrestling (Samoan Strong Style Xtreme Wrestling and Entertainment) and 3SX Entertainment which runs in the Pacific. Iaukea and his son both work for Florida promotions in Pro Wrestling Fusion, New Florida Wrestling and Definitive Wrestling International as he’s barely remembered anymore despite being an impressive athlete in his WCW days.
21 10. Vampiro (then)
A famous wrestler in the Mexican Wrestling Circuit, Vampiro came into WCW with much experience and anticipation as he debuted with the company in 1998. Vampiro soon created a stable called “The Dead Pool” with the Insane Clown Posse and Raven which was short-lived, but memorable. Vampiro later brought The Misfits to WCW as they feuded with Oklahoma and “Dr. Death” Steve Williams. He then formed an alliance with Sting in 2000, before turning on him and having a heated feud. Vampiro then formed a tag team with The Great Muta, as they went on to win the WCW Tag Team Titles which was his first and only title in WCW. It was short-lived, as they lost the titles the very next night when Vampiro turned on The Great Muta, setting up a three way match between him, Muta and Sting, which the Stinger won. Vampiro stuck with the WCW till its last days, continuously performing before getting injured.
20 10. Vampiro (now)
After WCW went out of business, Vampiro would go onto wrestle for various promotions in All Japan Pro Wrestling, CML and also had a short stint in TNA. Vampiro then went to wrestle for AAA and held booking positions in the promotion. He seldom wrestled, competing only in big matches in some of the events for the promotion. During this time, he also had stints at Wrestling Society X and Juggalo Championship Wrestling. He served as a color commentator in AAA’s Lucha Libre World Cup internet PPV in 2015, and continues to serve as a color commentator for Lucha Underground since 2014. Vampiro is also the member of a citizen crime patrol organization in Mexico called “Guardian Angels” acting as head of the group’s chapter in Mexico City, but he’s long forgotten as a WCW wrestler for which he attained much of his popularity.
19 9. Psicosis (then)
One of the brightest aspects of WCW’s Cruiserweight Division, Psicosis was an amazing wrestler to watch because of his ability in the ring as he’d be one of the most exciting luchadors in the company. He continued to wrestle other luchadors and cruiserweights in his time in the company, as he’d feud with other cruiserweights in his quest to win the WCW Cruiserweight Title. He finally won it in 1998, but lost it a week later. Psicosis would then lose his mask in a Mask vs Mask match, before he was paired with Juventud Guerrera. He had to defend Guerrera’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title when the latter was kayfabe injured, and later went onto win the Cruiserweight Title after unmasking. However, on his first televised event with the title, he would again go onto lose it to Disco Inferno. He’d later be released in 2000 because of the financially suffering WCW.
18 9. Psicosis (now)
Psicosis went to wrestle for ECW after being released by WCW, and had some amazing matches in his short stint as ECW was failing as well like WCW itself. Psicosis would then go to wrestle for some Independent promotions, as well as going onto make some appearances for TNA. He was signed on by the WWE in 2005, making his debut in the ECW One Night Stand PPV where he lost to Rey Mysterio. He was then put as part of “The Mexicools”. The Mexicools would be together for a short amount of time, as Psicosis would go back to wrestle on his own before teaming up again with Super Crazy, who he later feuded with. After he lost in his feud with Crazy, he was released by the WWE and went to wrestle for Mexican Promotion AAA and continued to wrestle for the promotion as one of the main attractions till 2014 when he was released. Since then, he has rarely made appearances for any big promotion as he’s been forgotten by the wrestling world inspite of being one of the most exciting talents of his time.
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16 8. Buff Bagwell (then)
Buff Bagwell would be introduced in WCW as primarily a tag team specialist, as he won the WCW Tag Titles 4 times over the span of his first 5 years in the company. He then joined the NWO and formed a team with Scott Norton called “Vicious and Delicious”. Bagwell would then get injured during a match with Rick Steiner, and would be shelved for a couple of months because of it. Bagwell would later transition into a singles competitor, as he thought he was being “held back” by WCW officials(kayfabe) and feuded with some of WCW’s best wrestlers. After failing as a single competitor, he teamed with Lex Luger and called themselves “Totally Buffed” as they even defeated Goldberg in a tag team match, getting him story-line fired. They later joined Ric Flair’s Magnificent Seven stable before WCW’s closure.
15 8. Buff Bagwell (now)
Bagwell would be one of the first WCW wrestlers to sign with the WWE, as he soon made his WWE debut in a match against Booker T for the WCW Championship, which ended in a no-contest when Stone Cold and Kurt Angle interfered. But he was released soon after because of problems with management and an altercation with Shane Helms. Bagwell would go onto make sporadic appearances for TNA, as well as performing for various Independent shows from time to time. Bagwell is currently a professional gigolo, as he’s employed to escort service Cowboys4Angels and in a video explains his journey into becoming one. He recently sued the WWE for royalties from material he is featured in on the WWE Network, as his fall from wrestling seems really appalling as this forgotten wrestler now had to take a drastic change in career to survive.
14 7. Ernest “The Cat” Miller (then)
Ernest Miller was probably one of the more under-rated wrestlers in the WCW at his time, as he had a lot of charisma which provided for some really entertaining segments when he was on. With Sonny Onoo as his manager, Ernest would call himself “the greatest” and keep on maintaining a strong figure in the mid-card of the WCW. But after Onoo left WCW, Miller was degraded to jobbing before he became Eric Bischoff’s assistant. His job was to follow Bischoff around everywhere and to repeat his lines to comedic effect, as he even became WCW Commissioner in 2000 and slowly transitioned into a fan favorite. He would feud with Lance Storm for the role of commissioner which he lost, and made for some entertaining matches before WCW was bought by WWE.
13 7. Ernest “The Cat” Miller (now)
Miller would be given a contract by the WWE, where he served as a color commentator for some-time for Velocity before starting his journey as an active wrestler, competing for the Smackdown! brand. He would provide some entertainment in the 2004 Royal Rumble match, as he’d dance to the ring to his “Somebody Call My Momma” theme song but got eliminated early. He also failed to win a 15-man number one contenders Battle Royal for the WWE Championship, and feuded with Tajiri for a bit before he was released by the company in 2004. Miller then tried his shot at movies, and also had a significant role as “The Ayatollah” in the Oscar nominated film “The Wrestler” who was the in-ring nemesis of the protagonist. He also played a part in a Chinese television series “The Legend of Bruce Lee” and appeared in 2009 film “Blood and Bone”. He is currently an instructor and trainer for a Martial-Arts school in the Atlanta area, as “The Cat” has long been forgotten after providing entertainment in the dying days of WCW.
12 6. Konnan (then)
One of the hottest Hispanic wrestlers in the 90s, Konnan finally found his ground in the big promotions during his second stint at WCW, as he wasn’t only the face of the Mexican wrestlers at the time, but also was responsible for bringing in more Hispanic wrestlers to the promotions. He soon won the United States Title after rejoining WCW, and made huge strides when he joined the NWO in 1997. He developed a hip hop gimmick and feuded with the Mexican Luchadors he had brought to WCW. He would later also become WCW Television Champion, and later turned face to help Mysterio fight off the Outsiders. Konnan and Mysterio won the WCW Tag Team Titles as part of “The Filthy Animals” which Konnan had created, as he continued to manage the stable until WCW was purchased by WWE.