WWE did sign Chris Benoit, along with Radicalz pals Perry Saturn, Dean Malenko and Eddie Guerrero in January 2000, but they had the chance to snap up the Rabid Wolverine in the early 90s. Benoit, then working full-time with New Japan Pro Wrestling, had several tryouts in June and July of 1993 (losing to Bob Holly, Adam Bomb and Owen Hart). It seems that WWE were at least pondering the prospect of signing the Canadian Crippler. They really ought to have. Already a world-class worker, Benoit was ready for prime-time and would have been a great fit for the company's 'New Generation' image of young and hungry talent. Just imagine the matches Benoit could have had with the likes of Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Randy Savage and Razor Ramon back then... Of course, WWE passed on Benoit (who got the tryouts as a favour to Bret Hart) and Benoit continued working in Japan before moving on to ECW and then WCW. By the time he finally made it to WWE in 2000, he was established as one of the best professional wrestlers in the world and commanded a contract with a $500,000 pa downside guarantee. Had WWE signed Benoit in the 90s, not only would it have deprived the WCW midcard of a fine performer, but it would have also doubtless led to some incredible matches in WWE rings and perhaps ushered in the arrival of other, similar talents (such as Guerrero and Malenko).
