10 Hypothetical WWE Signings (And Whether They'd Have Succeeded Or Failed)
6. The Great Muta
Out of all the big names to ever wrestle in WCW, Muta is the only person to have never worked for WWE. Interestingly, he actually considered making the jump to WWE and would’ve signed with them if he didn’t have a clause in his WCW contract that prevented him from doing so.
Success or Failure in WWE: Success
If there's one thing that Keiji Mutoh has demonstrated over his storied career, it's versatility. His mastery of wrestling psychology and adaptability to different situations would've made him a major asset for WWE in the early 2000s, as they would've needed an experienced veteran to work with younger wrestlers in order to help them develop into bigger stars.
Whether he'd be wrestling in the ring or training people backstage, Muta would've offered considerable insight into the intricacies of putting on a great match and telling a great story.
Had he signed with WWE in the early 2000s, WWE would've put him in matches with other WCW guys like Eddie and Benoit, and he'd be one of those 'wrestling guys' that would help make Smackdown to exciting to watch. In terms of championship success, Muta would, unfortunately, likely never reach beyond the mid-card level, despite his storied career, impressive résumé, and unquestionable skill.
WWE has a notable glass ceiling when it comes to Japanese wrestlers, and so Muta, who'd be approaching his 40s by the early 2000s, wouldn't get a chance to be World Champion, even though he has proven more than capable of being one many times.