7 WCW Champions Who Never Became WWE Champions (And Why)

5. DDP

WCW Champion: Three times (1999-2000)

Signed: 2001-2002

Reason: The unlikely rise of Diamond Dallas Page from fast-talking manager to man of the people workhorse surprised everyone in the '90s. Even more shocking was WCW's decision to crown DDP World Champion at Spring Stampede 1999, but the move was justified by Page's earlier stunners against Randy Savage and by the part he played in guiding Karl Malone through against Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman the previous year.

A late-bloomer, DDP was nonetheless popular enough to merit the World Title chance, and hopes were high for him when he agreed to a contract buyout to join the WWF in 2001.

That's when sh*t hit the fan. Rethought as a creepy stalker who goaded The Undertaker by following his wife, Page was then squashed flat by 'Taker at King Of The Ring and became a bit-part player in the ongoing (and lacklustre) Invasion angle. By the end of '01, he was an afterthought toiling in the lower card.

Later, Page would admit that he regretted losing money on his AOL/Time Warner deal to join the WWF. He was booked woefully, and his face never seemed to fit.