10 WWE Midcarders Who Broke The Glass Ceiling

When The Radicalz were signed to WWE contracts in January 2000, they were all done so on $250,000 downside guarantees. Except for Chris Benoit. While Eddie, Dean and Perry were given a quarter of a mil, worst case scenario, the Rabid Wolverine was given an extra $150,000.

He was seen as having the most potential of the four, which was evident in the way they were booked in their first year in the company. Benoit was competing against The Rock in pay-per-view main events come July, whereas his cohorts were mired in the midcard.

But despite this, Benoit was never really seriously considered as WWE Champion. He didn't have enough charisma, they argued, despite his ring work being first-rate. Things had changed somewhat by the time 2004 rolled around. WWE were going in a different direction, with the emphasis firmly placed on bell-to-bell action.

To be honest, Benoit's World Heavyweight Title triumph in the main event of WrestleMania XX was as much a reward for years of hard work as it was about moving ratings: even though he was the man, Benoit was often second fiddle to Shawn Michaels, Triple H and, erm, Eugene.

Regardless, Benoit had finally captured the WWE Title after years and years of solid and selfless performances. He was due to break through the glass ceiling and he did so on the grandest stage.