9 Best WWE Attitude Era Gimmick Changes

When Eddie Guerrero showed up in WWE in January 2000 along with Chris Benoit, Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko, he was already one of the most respected in-ring performers in the world. Guerrero had great matches everywhere he went, from AAA to New Japan Pro Wrestling to ECW and WCW, earning a reputation as a real wrestler's wrestler.

When The Radicalz turned up on Vince's doorstep, the WWE chairman (along with President of Talent Relations Jim Ross) felt as though Benoit was the one with the most potential to become a main event player/star. Hence why The Crippler received a downside guarantee of $400,000 per annum, $150,000 more than his fellow defectors.

Eddie's WWE career started poorly when he dislocated his elbow performing his patented Frog Splash in his very first match. While out on the sidelines, he began a feud with Chyna. The night after the two clashed in a six-person tag match at WrestleMania 2000, The 9th Wonder of the World turned on Chris Jericho and sided with Eddie.

It was the start of a wonderful partnership, as Eddie turned from vicious heel to fun-loving, comedic babyface. Indeed, he was a riot in backstage segments, even if they were a little stereotypical. He began to stand out from the pack, able to carry his side in the ring but also provide genuine entertainment in interviews or vignettes or whatnot.

Eddie's transition into 'Latino Heat' really helped him become a star in the land of the giants. Had he stayed the course and remained a straight wrestler without any real character or gimmick, it's probably he would have ended up getting lost in the shuffle.