20. WCW Give Chris Benoit World Title Night Before He Told Them He Was Leaving For WWF
In early-2000, Chris Benoit had tired of the politics rife backstage in WCW. Looking to distance himself from the promotion and seek employment in the WWF, Benoit made it clear he wanted out. As one last-gasp attempt to keep the Canadian, WCW officials informed him they planned to make him World Champion at the Souled Out Pay-Per-View. It was too late for Benoit, he couldn't wait to leave the promotion. Defeating Sid Vicious at Souled Out, the 'Crippler' had made up his mind, and exorcised his right to depart the very next day. Benoit actually offered to put over anybody WCW chose on Monday Nitro, but the company simply asked him to hand back the belt and that was that. In amongst all the chaos to come with the WCW World Title, this was a real head-scratcher. Wrestling fans wondered why the talented wrestler hadn't been given the chance to be champion long before he was ready to leave the promotion. Someone with the skill of Benoit winning the belt should have given it prestige, but the manner in which it was handled over further damaged the credibility of WCW's top title.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
