Interesting... I seem to remember Jericho and Mysterio leaving the the company because they were unhappy with it.
From Chris Jericho's biography, A Lion's Tale: Around The World In Spandex:
Even though Paul couldn't pay a king's ransom, that $25 bonus might as well have been $5,000. It was a motivational tool that boosted my morale and made me proud to be a part of the company. Paul was notorious for bouncing checks, but I can honestly say that I had no problem cashing a check from Paul E. I also had pictures of him fornicating with a walrus, but that's a different story (Page 294).
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After my last match in ECW against Too Cold Scorpio, the crowd in the Arena started chanting "Please don't go." I'd been spared the "You sold out," chants because I think people were genuinely saddened at my departure. I know I was.
I had a tear in my eye as I grabbed the mike and cut an emotional promo praising the Arena, ECW, and all its fans. It was a genuinely bittersweet moment. If I could've stayed there forever and made good money in the process, I would've seriously considered it (Page 307).
How do you get that Jericho was unhappy with the company? I'll make sure to ask you the same question again when Mysterio, Jr.'s biography drops this later this year.
Cena has a natural talent, WCW would give him his shot and he'd run with it and succeed, just like he's done in the WWE. Now, Cena probably wouldn't be the top dog, he would probably do well to keep a handlehold on a main event spot, but I'd could easily see him as an upper mid carder participating in main event. Danielson on the other hand, I couldn't ever see him ever rising past the mid card. He lacks in too many departments for his athleticism to make up for it. Danielson doesn't have much of a look, doesn't have much of a personality, and can't perform to the ability that Cena is capable of. Because of that, I'd see Cena going much further in WCW than Danielson.
I think it's safe to say that WCW definitely valued in-ring talent much more than WWE does. Furthermore, I think the healthy cruiserweight division they maintained lends credence to my belief.
As much shit as I will get for saying this, I will go ahead and do so: in terms of in-ring work and looks, Cena doesn't bring much to the table. Three things account for Cena's success: Cena's work ethic, Cena's passion for the business, and the knack WWE has for public relations and marketing. WWE gave Cena a great opportunity, and he gladly and emphatically took it on. And, more power to him; it is great to know that someone with his virtues succeeded.
However, Cena being in WCW would have been a whole different story. I honestly believe that he would have been nothing more than a Scotty Riggs or, at best, a third member of Vicious And Delicious. There was just way too much for him to compete with there, whether it be proven WWF and territory veterans or innovative cruiserweights.
On the other hand, Danielson would have held his own with the likes of Malenko, Benoit, Jericho, and Mysterio, Jr. Furthermore, given the awe that his moves inspire today, they would have been even more impressive in WCW.