WWE: 10 Wrestlers Who Broke Out As Major Stars At WrestleMania

4. Chris Benoit

For nearly a decade, Chris Benoit had been recognized as one of the greatest in-ring workers in the world but, for whatever reason, could never quite breakthrough the glass ceiling and reign atop any of the promotions he competed for. His time in Extreme Championship Wrestling was too short, politics prevented him from rising to the main event scene in World Championship Wrestling and, for whatever reason, the time was never right in World Wrestling Entertainment. That changed when Benoit entered the 2004 Royal Rumble match at number one and outlasted 29 other Superstars to earn a guaranteed shot at either the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XX. He chose the World title, held by Triple H. Shawn Michaels, who had been embroiled in an intense rivalry with The Game, joined them and a triple threat match was booked for the main event of the show. With three of the best workers involved in the most important title match of the year, fans inside the historic Madison Square Garden in New York knew they could expect a classic bout. And that is exactly what they got as Benoit, Michaels and Triple H perfected the triple threat formula, delivering the best of that match type that WWE had or has ever seen. Despite being suplexed through an announce table, Benoit showed grit and determination as he fought back into the match, ducked under a Sweet Chin Music attempt from Michaels, dumped him over the top rope and locked Triple H in the Crippler Crossface. The Garden came unglued and chants of "tap" filled the air. To his credit, The Game fought for several moments but eventually had no choice but to tap. The referee awarded the World Heavyweight Championship to a clearly emotional Benoit, who was soon joined by real life best friend Eddie Guerrero. Their embrace in the center of the ring was the most emotional conclusion to a WrestleMania event ever. Benoit's death and the circumstances surrounding it, however, have caused it to essentially be erased from WWE history. Regardless of what would happen in the future, Benoit's victory over Triple H and Shawn Michaels cemented him as one of WWE's top stars and the centerpiece of Monday Night Raw for the entirety of his four month title reign.
Contributor
Contributor

Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.