8 Amazing Wrestlers That FLOPPED In WWE

8. Dean Malenko

It’s not hyperbole to suggest Dean Malenko was one of the most respected in-ring workers of his generation, with PWI naming the New Jersey native the best wrestler in the world back in 1997. While ECW is inaccurately painted as a "blood and guts" promotion, fans were also exposed to technical in-ring action that was head and shoulders above the competition. Dean Malenko was among the very best proprietors of this style.

With a superb tag team run with Chris Benoit and one of the best feuds in ECW Television title history with his beloved friend, Eddie Guerrero, Malenko made the jump to WCW, where he would become a cornerstone of the company's then-incredible cruiserweight division, holding the championship an impressive four times. It would be the last time his career would hit such heights.

Despite debuting in WWE alongside WCW alumni Perry Saturn, Chris Benoit, and Eddie Guerrero in The Radicalz faction, Malenko was almost entirely overlooked. When he was factored into plans, it involved treading water in WWE’s far less revered Light Heavyweight Championship picture, and the less said about his role in the “definitely Vince McMahon-approved” James Bond parody gimmick, Double Ho Seven, the better.