The Radicalz

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The Radicalz were a heel professional wrestling stable in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Their members were former World Championship Wrestling (WCW) performers Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Perry Saturn and Dean Malenko. They are widely considered to be four of the best wrestlers in the late 1990s. Terri Runnels later joined the group by proxy after becoming Saturn's (onscreen) girlfriend.

[edit] History

In 1999, four World Championship Wrestling midcard to upper-level stars became unhappy with the political environment of WCW, and ultimately left the company in early 2000. Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Perry Saturn, and Dean Malenko headed to the WWF, in a move seen by some as the death knell for WCW, which ceased to exist shortly over a year later. The four first made their appearance on an edition of the RAW, as audience members and backstage guests of Mick Foley. They would interfere in a match and soon afterwards, would "win" contracts with WWF. The group became known as The Radicalz, and they attained some measure of success. At first tightly knit, all four of the wrestlers in the group eventually drifted apart as all of them sought stardom as singles wrestlers in WWF. Guerrero injured his shoulder upon first entering, and injuries nagged him from staying a part of the group.

[edit] Trivia

• It was originally suggested that WCW wrestlers Shane Douglas, Billy Kidman and Konnan were to follow suit with the original Radicalz to join the WWF, but other factors prevented these men from jumping. Douglas had previous management issues with the WWF over the Kliq and decided on staying with WCW. Vince McMahon still held a grudge against Konnan over the fact that he ditched the Max Moon gimmick in the WWF after only one day. (The suit cost Vince and the WWF over $1,000 dollars to produce). Kidman was on his way to do the jump before WCW management gave him a raise on his contract which resulted in Kidman staying with the company until WCW's closure in 2001.

• At the time of the jump, Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, and Perry Saturn were members of a stable in WCW called The Revolution, whose leader was Shane Douglas, which further fueled the rumors that Shane Douglas wanted in on the jump.

• At the time of the departure to WWF, Chris Benoit was recognized as the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, the title given to him by booker Kevin Sullivan as a way to keep Benoit in WCW, however, Benoit and Sullivan never saw eye to eye, mainly since Benoit married Sullivan's ex wife, Nancy so Benoit opted for the jump. WCW management later stated on WCW Monday Nitro that current champion at the time Sid Vicious's foot was on the ropes at the time Benoit made him tap out and therefore his title reign was deemed invalid.