There's a difference between the Superstars of WWE's modern era and the wrestling icons from generations past. WWE is a PG product and has guidelines to adhere to remain family-friendly, therefore must take care to ensure their content and characters are suitable.
The demand from fans has also evolved. It is no longer enough to be another big guy. Fans want to root for the underdogs who defy WWE tradition. Considering WCW made a habit of defying WWE, which stars from the former wrestling promotion would assimilate into WWE nowadays and who would stand out in all the wrong ways?
10 Would: Sting
The WWE Universe was already treated to seeing Sting in the WWE ring following his appearance during the main event of Survivor Series 2014. The former WCW World Heavyweight Champion feuded with the Authority after he made his WWE debut, facing Triple H in a match at WrestleMania 31 which he ultimately lost.
Sting was one of the biggest stars in World Championship Wrestling. He would make a valuable addition to the main roster if he was still in his prime, an eerie figure in the same vein as Bray Wyatt.
9 Wouldn't: Goldberg
Like Sting, Goldberg also made a surprise return to WWE following his retirement, though it was a less successful debut by far. Despite capturing the Universal Championship, Goldberg was visibly struggling in the ring and his defeat of Brock Lesnar in under two minutes felt undeserved and unbelievable.
Goldberg was a successful 'big guy' prototype in WCW and later WWE, which worked well in that era. However, modern wrestling fans are less likely to root for a wrestler purely due to physique and it is hard to see what Goldberg's inclusion would add to the roster.
8 Would: Luna Vachon
Luna Vachon's tenure with WCW was brief and could have been far better. Her rivalry with Madusa, previously Alundra Blayze, was continued after both women moved from WWF with the two Hall of Famers wrestling each other multiple times after Vachon interfered in Madusa's match against Akira Hokuto for the WCW Women's Championship.
Vachon, who was inducted into WWE's Hall of Fame in 2019, is one of the most unique stars to feature in WCW's women division and her energy would bring a new dynamic to the modern roster.
7 Wouldn't: Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman gave WCW the attention and sports cover feature it needed after he debuted with the company. The former NBA star was once suspended for kicking a courtside cameraman in the crotch and brought that rebellious swagger to the ring with him after he joined New World Order in 1997.
Rodman's real-life controversial antics would not fly in WWE's PG era, as it would attract all the wrong sorts of publicity. His wrestling ability would be of little value additionally, considering his poorly-received bout alongside Hulk Hogan against Karl Malone and Diamond Dallas Page at the 1998 Bash At The Beach event.
6 Would: Dean Malenko
Dean Malenko excelled during his time in the cruiserweight division both in WCW and WWE. The former Cruiserweight Champion and United States Heavyweight Champion put on some stellar matches during his tenure with WCW, and his presence would elevate 205 Live.
WWE's current cruiserweight division needs some star power and Malenko, who was always good at drawing a reaction from the crowd, could easily find himself at the top of the hierarchy.
5 Wouldn't: Chavo Guerrero
Chavo Guerrero debuted with WCW in 1996, spending the next portion of his career as a reluctant sidekick for his uncle Eddie Guerrero until he eventually turned heel and adopted a bizarre new gimmick. He developed a fixation on a hobby horse titled 'Pepe' and faced his uncle in a match at Bash At The Beach 1998, where he lost a Hair vs. Hair match.
Guerrero's crazy gimmick would not translate well on the modern main roster and he would easily get lost in the shuffle. His affiliation with the Guerrero name makes him a welcomed guest's appearance on Raw specials, however.
4 Would: Cactus Jack
Cactus Jack, one of Mick Foley's many wrestling personas, debuted with WCW in 1991 and promptly began feuding with stars such as Sting and Vader. His match against Sting from 1992's Beach Bash remains one of Foley's favorite matches, a collision of two wrestling icons early in their careers.
Jack's maniacal laughter and trademark catchphrase would do well in WWE's modern era as he would undeniably stand out from the rest of the roster. The brutal energy displayed in his WCW matches would make a great antagonistic force for current Superstars such as Bray Wyatt.
3 Wouldn't: Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan has long been seen as one of the original, staple figures for WWF, though his WCW run was no less significant. His Hollywood Hulk Hogan gimmick translated well on screen, becoming synonymous with his run with the New World Order.
Hogan remains a star from a previous generation, however, and would struggle to stand out in the right ways in the modern era. His work did undoubtedly pave the way for future Superstars though.
2 Would: Raven
Raven is a lost gem that WWE wasted. He is renown for being one of the best talkers in the industry capable of delivering on the mic, as well as the grungey aesthetic that sets him apart from the rest of the roster.
Raven's booking was questionable even during his tenure with WCW. He never captured a championship and had a series of strange vignettes concerning his childhood aired on television. He is arguably a Superstar who found himself performing in the wrong generation.
1 Wouldn't: Kevin Nash
Kevin Nash is another example of Vince McMahon's ideal 'big guy' template that once thrived in WWE and WCW. He won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship four times and was the first wrestler to defeat Goldberg and break his undefeated streak of 173-0 at Starrcade in 1998.
Despite his accolades, Nash remains a bulky worker that would not captivate the support of the crowd were he to debut on the main roster now. His work with the New World Order remains one of the highlights of his career, though could not replicate again today.