5 Forgotten Debuts Of WCW Superstars
4. Chris Benoit - Clash Of The Champions XIX (June 16th, 1992)
On that very same Clash of the Champions card, Dean Malenko would be joined in the locker room by future close friend and recurring stablemate, Chris Benoit, also making his WCW debut that night. Tagging up with regular Stampede Wrestling tag-partner at the time, Beef Wellington, the Calgary duo would face the team of rivals turned partners, Jushin Liger and Brian Pillman.
Benoit had history with both Liger and Pillman at the time, having crossed paths with Pillman during their time in Stampede and battled Liger numerous times in NJPW. In fact, Benoit had beaten Liger for IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title in 1990 and even challenged Liger for the WCW Light-Heavyweight Title in New Japan in February of ‘92. It was also Liger who forced Benoit to lose his mask as Pegasus Kid after defeating the Canadian in a “Mask vs. Mask” match also in 1991.
At over 11 minutes in length, the match is given ample time and all four men put forth a great effort; mixing aerial assault with some top quality wrestling. Despite this being Benoit’s lone appearance in 1992, the performance by “The Crippler” would see him gain regular bookings with WCW throughout ‘93.
Benoit would appear on WCW TV 16 times over the course of the next year with a 50/50 win/loss record in that time; however, he wouldn't start full-time with Turner until two years later in 1995.