10 Best Times Wrestlers JUMPED SHIP

From Rick Rude appearing on WWE Raw and WCW Nitro on the same Monday night to Jon Moxley's AEW debut, these are the 10 Best Times Wrestlers Jumped Ship.
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Cultaholic provides video coverage of professional wrestling - including WWE (including WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown, NXT and 205 Live), AEW, IMPACT Wrestling (formerly TNA), NJPW, ROH, and more with daily news updates, reviews, lists, highlights, predictions, reactions, podcasts and much, much more.

[@DJDub88]

Honorable mention to Sean Waltman. He always found himself on the winning side of the Monday Night War - jumping to WCW in summer '96, and back to WWF right as they turned things around in March '98. Him returning to the Fed the night after Mania, cutting the promo of his career, and being an integral cog in the 2nd and better version of DX, was a top 10 wrestler jumping ship in my opinion.

[@zanethind]

When DX had more than 3 people it was always awesome

[@GaOutlawVinyl]

The thing most people forget about Rick Rude appearing on both Raw & Nitro the same night is that the same week he also appeared on ECW’s tv show. It was filmed a month earlier before he started with WWE.

[@jamessteel9016]

Rude was all over the place in 1997

[@michaelsmith5769]

They made reference to it (not the ECW part) on the WWF's Saturday morning "edgy" show (whose name escapes me). Todd Pettingill said Rude was all over the place Monday night.

[@coreylineberry8557]

@@michaelsmith5769 Shotgun Saturday Night?

[@michaelsmith5769]

@@coreylineberry8557 Livewire. I figured it out.

[@duncanmorrison7603]

Ecw was taped weeks in advance

[@patriciajacobs8224]

*A "Top 10 Wrestlers That Had Zero Charisma But Attract Wrestling Fans" List would be awesome!*

[@r2kmoon2]

Eh. I dunno. Because everyone has wildly different opinions on that. It'd be too messy.

[@finbar5421]

Sid I'm looking at you

[@patriciajacobs8224]

@@finbar5421 Sid Vicious (Justice) would definitely be one of my pics.

[@peggytheveteran4968]

Big Siddy Boi has to be on there

[@darthqrow4582]

Half the AEW roster

[@Juria316]

I wouldn't mind seeing a reverse of this "Top 10 Wrestlers Who Jumped Ship and Went Nowhere".

[@nicoffee777]

@@JDeppFan2272 Monty was already ruined in TNA unfortunately

[@acebi_ly9246]

@@nicoffee777 As of now : Tye Dillinger and Rusev in AEW

[@Randomperson-zt3il]

Bret to WCW :(

[@blacksheep25251]

Knock Knock (who's there?) BRADEN WALKER!

[@rafaelcarrera9436]

@@acebi_ly9246 Rusev/Miro? I think he is fantastic. He has even said it is like a return to the classic Rusev when he feuded with Cena at the start if his wwe run. The storyline currently with Kip Sabian however is fun, but he definitely needs to be moved into a bigger circle of rivalries.

[@mightybk]

Rude should have been higher. I remember that night. That was really cool having him show up on Nitro when he was already taped to appear on Raw.

[@AgentJTV]

"And take care of his substance abuse problem..." *Shows Kurt Angle chucking down milk* XD

[@HamzaKhan-xi9yc]

Milk...not even once

[@fridaypanda2063]

We all know Kurt had his milk addiction run wild back in the days.

[@angelyaluhhhh9130]

The Jon Moxley jump ship was the most surprising one to me. I didn’t grow up in the WCW era so I never witness talent jump shipping. I got home from a night out and I never really payed attention to AEW in 2019 but after I watched the highlights and Jon Moxleys transformation surprised me.

[@wintertrooper7918]

Jon also did it properly he wasn't making talks while still employed by WWE his contract expired and then later joined AEW unlike some wrestlers back in the WcW/WWE Era

[@mdjans35]

Seeing Guerrero, Malenko, Saturn, and Benoit in the front row of that episode of Raw was a big mark out moment for me at the time. I don’t think I had one similar until Punk successfully cashed in his MITB years later.

[@Frenik42]

Christian Cage to Impact is one of my favs, was always a fan of his and seeing him enter the Impact Zone made me go bananas

[@mattj4112]

TNA: “IT’S CHRISTIAN CAGE, THE RUMORS ARE CORRECT!!!” WWE: “...It’s Christian...”

[@HurriShane00]

couldn't agree more. I had no idea he was jumping to TNA and was kind of bummed when he did but was happy he was getting the recognition he deserved

[@matthewchristie2186]

loved his original WWE Music CHRISTIAN, CH4ISTIAN, AT LAST YOUR ON YOUR OWN

[@supachef_dmoney_4]

His TNA run was golden too 🙏🏿

[@carloswhite-jordan5709]

I was worried he wouldn't fit TNA's style. Not only was I wrong , but he learned new things and improved his whole presentation.

[@trystinlindsay5674]

It’s a little ironic that one of the original members of DX left because of how Vince treated Brett Hart

[@danielhess1082]

Original member, yes.....staple member when you think of DX.....no

[@mattj4112]

Also because of money. Mostly money tbh.

[@ryanbishop3343]

@@LaidBack-- it’s a light cry though, if the screw job never happened Goldberg would have never had the chance to botch that kick

[@justincombs7440]

@@ryanbishop3343 He was going to WCW no matter what though. Even if the screw job never happened there was always a chance Goldberg would face Brett & deliver that kick. Honestly Brett should of stayed with Vince. WCW didn't do shit with Brett

[@rylandweet7750]

@@justincombs7440 even if Goldberg faced Bret a different time to deliver that kick it most likely 99.9 percent wouldint of some that damage

[@B-Hathaway]

That one shot of Rude without the mustache is so jarring.

[@JOBSquad98]

The Ric Flair Spartacus story is becoming the new JBL Blue Meanie

[@kubilayalbayrak8419]

ok but did you know that JBL beat up Blue Meanie for realz?

[@blacksheep25251]

@@kubilayalbayrak8419 As Flair should pound Jim Herd for what Herd has tried to do the industry... Until Russo came along....

[@veryfunnyman111]

Rick Rudes was iconic. Still got his day, have never seen a wrestler on two wrestling shows at the same time

[@chayden153]

I will never understand why he was never made WWF champion, he was absolutely amazing

Tommaso Ciampa appeared on Impact and NXT weekly shows at the same time, too

[@kevinjackson4420]

@@chayden153 same era as Hogan

[@robertodimas7429]

Matt Hardy went from TNA, to ROH, to WWE all within a month. And now years later he's on AEW. How is he not in this list? Lol

[@robertodimas7429]

Yes Jeff also did the same along Matt but the truth is Matt was the reason behind it.

[@brandons6167]

It's "best" times. Not "most".

[@robertodimas7429]

@@brandons6167 wrong comment

[@jacsouthall4945]

Loved the pic of Kurt Angle drinking milk when it mentioned substance abuse 😂

[@Gamebox27]

Rick Rude was one of the most complete wrestlers. Mic skills, the look, the physique, the technical skills. All it took was a flying cross body from Sting to end his career and ultimately his life

[@wintertrooper7918]

Except that his death happened several years after his injury by sting

[@HakunaMatata_TTP]

He spiralled out of control. Look up his last appearance. Unrecognizable.

[@theawardgoesto1]

😂 I remember that night Rick Rude was on raw and nitro 😂. Nitro was clearly live so Raw got exposed for being taped and both segments with rude began at the same time. I remember flipping back and forth laughing my ass off with my brother, after that WWF made all their shows live

[@johndonald9239]

So did Eric told Tony to announce Mick Foley will win WWF Championship through a rumour or because that episode of Raw was taped?

[@dandurham4110]

Wait……they were still taped after that incident. Don’t know where you got your information at. Just somebody who wants people to think he knows something.

[@ryzenman6460]

I remembered the rick rude episodes that was awesome

[@HurriShane00]

When The Radicalz jumped to WWE. I actually thought at this point they were still WCW and was the start of the real invasion....too bad :) Ric Flair was a HUGE deal. I'd heard of Ric at the time and how much of a big deal he was in WCW but never saw any WCW at that point. So seeing him WWF at the time was the 1st time I saw him and saw the appeal and why he is so great. even if his time in the WWF pales in comparison to his time in WCW. Christian was a big deal to me. I was watching TNA quite a bit back then and when he showed up on TNA I just couldn't believe it. I had no idea he had left the WWE. TNA treated him right, gave him a world title run which WWE didn't want to do until he returned and Edge retired. Which was too long before for his 1st World Title reign. We all knew Scott Hall and Kevin Nash was going to be No.1. but an honourable mentions could have went to Hogan and Savage, especially, Hogan. In fact, Should have been on this list actually. When he jumped to WCW, that was HUGE news. Here Hogan was a Lifer for the WWF and he jumps to the competition.

[@seanbarton4940]

LOL he said “several appealing options for wrestlers to explore”

[@smyersfishingadventures]

I was at the Nitro with Rick Rude (Cincinnati Gardens), I had front row seats (same side as the cameras, so you could only see my back).

[@medranovictor921]

Moxley did’t go unannounced he had that trailers for “double or nothing” immediately after his contract ended with WWE

[@win-wd3hj]

What? That trailer didn't have anything to do with AEW.

[@wintertrooper7918]

@@win-wd3hj he originally filmed them during his time in wwe just for himself but after he was free he gave them to AEW

[@4fortune1984]

No one knew that was Jericho on the Millennial clock it’s wasn’t like now where everyone knows all it was a huge surprise at the time

[@BIGxJOHNx]

dirt sheets were around but not nearly as prevalent. As seen by the many Jericho signs already in the crowd once he emerged. to say NO ONE knew? bit far there.....

[@leatherface964]

4:37 😂😂😂😂 at that fan in the Cowboys jersey checkin out HBK in that see through shirt.

[@PHENOMENALWRESTLING]

Kenny OMEGA on AAA & impact on same night 🤣

[@charleslee8313]

I remember watching Rick Rude on Nitro, and he did that live promo, and I went "Wait! He's on Raw right now," and I turned to Raw, and saw him talk.

[@burnthetrolls5971]

Christian Cage in TNA was so good

[@robertxhacker]

Top 10 best 90s gimmicks.

[@FrankieBlueEyes]

Hogan jumping from AWA to WWF has to be on this list.

[@pams.2285]

The Mickey narrative is hilarious

[@marvintnt1820]

Well MLW just got a TV deal with Vice so there are more options for TV time.

[@dragonvalo]

"wrestlers letting their contract expire to join AEW" You mean A wrestler that one bing Mirosev.

[@terracestevenkennedy9198]

I personally thought ric Rudd’s matches with the ultimate warrior were awesome 😎

[@lwmrv]

Having a Rick Rude as #8 is not giving what he did enough credit. His leaving wwf for wcw in the peak of the monday night wars was huge (i geeked out when i saw that live) and bigger than the radicalz coming over

[@bovineuniversity8141]

Thank God for Pacitti

[@liamhemstock2286]

Steve Austin to WWF. Literally helped save the company and became arguably its biggest star ever.

[@HurriShane00]

meh.....took him quite a while to get his character of Stone Cold. remember when he debuted in the WWF he was the ringmaster. yeah that shouts top draw.

[@press_x_tojason]

That would be much better as an entry in a Top Ten Rebrands type list

[@liamhemstock2286]

@@HurriShane00 that’s true I can see why he isn’t on the list. In that case (I could be mistaken with the timeline of events here) but surely Hulk Hogan should be on this list moving from AWA to WWF as I believe he became WWF Champion very early on and obviously that lead him into becoming one of the biggest wrestling names ever.

[@manmythmothman]

Surprised Styles from NJPW to WWE wasn't on this

[@dantaylor8197]

It was pretty well known that Styles was leaving NJPW, most of us just thought he was going to TNA or ROH.

[@theBELLringer00]

I was literally shocked when AJ showed up in WWE...@ the ROYAL RUMBLE, of all PPV's... When I heard about him leaving New Japan, I didn't think he'd actually come to the WWE, but then again I thought the same thing after Shinsuke Nakamura left

[@jakekoehler1]

Honorable mention to you lads JUMPING SHIP out of that dumpster fire known as W***C*****e

[@darianvelazquez6996]

kind of ironic they posted the same video idea on the same day

[@getlostyougoofball]

Underrated comment.

[@CYCLOMANIAC3]

Maybe a bit controversial but I think Jeff Hardy had his best run in TNA.

[@theartistformerlyknownasth3881]

i was at the WWF Raw with Rick Rude. front row

[@ScottParisi]

Fun video. Seeing Scott Hall on Nitro for the first time was unforgettable.

[@jaeholla9292]

Rude is number 1 for that move

[@JB-kf2zs]

The 10 states that produced the best wrestlers ???

[@drinfernodds]

Texas and Minnesota are probably top two.

[@StageRight123]

Canada.

[@asandwich6823]

@@StageRight123 states..

[@chayden153]

Tennessee

[@coreyboles8906]

Tn

[@adamlucas2203]

Christian has always been a top 5 favorite wrestler of mine. I loved when he went to TNA and finally got the push he deserved. I'm loving his AEW work right now. Cutting amazing promos

[@mightybk]

Jericho has stated that his goal was always to go to the WWE, so although his potential feud with Goldberg played a role, he likely would have left anyhow. See his recent appearance on Austin's Stone Cold Sessions (or whatever it's called) on the WWE Network/Peacock.

[@vinmanoct1279]

I never knew what the countdown to the millenium was for. I had no clue what it meant. I only knew when I saw Jericho.

[@devynbellanca9930]

This list really has Christian to TNA and Moxely to AEW but no Bret Hart to WCW or Hogan to to WCW?

[@devynbellanca9930]

I mean both were impactful more on the entire business then themselves I guess

[@alexandermacdougall7873]

Rick Rude should have been number one. It may not have had the impact some of the other moves did, but appearing on both shows on the same night was crazy

[@rafacastillo9611]

I just want to know how Rick rude looked so different if it was taped just a week before. It's not just the shave, like his face shape and hair were so different, a week doesn't do that to you

[@richardswartz296]

The most famous wrestler is Rick Rude from WWF to WCW on the same night & was on both Raw & Nitro. If you take a close look @ the nwo it was about 80 percent former AWA wrestlers Hogan Hall Henning

[@rj1982ii]

Wow everyone on my list that I didn't expect you to put in the video is in it. Big Show, Radicalz, Chris Jericho even though don't know why I thought the Radicalz wouldn't be on the video.

[@jamesbower6408]

The moment Nash and hall walked into WCW and handled business, the war was over. Was just a matter of time and Nash said it once in an interview. The crowds perceived it as WWF invading WCW and 2 guys cleaning out.

[@Thecolemineexpress.]

The raw is war episode the was set for november 17th 1997 was actually taped on the 14th which was why rick rude was able to appear on both shows.

[@sweetpetergeda]

Honestly, Jim herd makes vince russo look like a creative god

[@peggytheveteran4968]

Alundra Blayze's is underrated

[@blacksheep25251]

God, WCW screwed that pooch BAD!!! They could have had a women's division that rivaled the Lucha/Japanese matches that made WCW so great...

[@Marrdarxth]

Fun fact: Big shows AEW shirt No more BS also means no more Big Show

[@Zanatos9]

Growing up I only got to see WWF in our city. So when Flair came to the WWF, I was like...who is this geezer? I couldn't understand why he was beating everyone.

[@lanceparker4796]

You were cheated by the titan towers monopoly. So much history outside of Vince.

[@niteporter]

The late great Brian Pillman ecw cyberslam 96 number one for me

[@youarenowawarepodcast8896]

BRUH WHAT??? This whole time I haven't been subscribed to Cultaholic?? This changes today. I've been watching Cultaholic for years now so I assumed I was.

[@MasterSartorius]

Speaking of jumping ship. I really...REALLY hope Buddy Murphy leaves WWE and goes to either AEW or TNA.

[@finbar5421]

If he isn't used on tv he will be released eventually

[@monstermikeheinrichs]

@@finbar5421 Hopefully, if he is released, it'll be soon. I'd hate to see him get JTG'd. He's far too talented for that.

[@jessedeleon4123]

Or NJPW imagine him and Will Osprey going at it.

[@raf_cdn]

Well... now it's gonna happen

[@finbar5421]

@@raf_cdn bullet club buddy

[@iamsilence_8489]

The age of the internet has ruined the wrestling storylines. There will never be another Monday night war attitude era style time in wrestling. Mark my words.... I'll wait!

[@irishspagetti6565]

nope don't see it either

[@gorkskoal9315]

Angle going to TNA is a C plus at best. JJ-Jeff Jerret going to WCW was a bigger deal.

[@sfdave5669]

8:42 I meet lex as that bus made a stop in SF years ago for autographs at the then warehouse video chain - man I’m old lol

[@dougkoehler1151]

Nice birthday gift video. I have just jumped ship to WCW...uh, wait; nobody is here.

[@Gloryosky]

Curt Hennig to WWF from AWA. Maybe it's not on most "best talent ship jump" lists, yet it's inarguably the _perfect_ ship jump.

[@patkramer4423]

Everyone "jumped" from AWA dude, they were closing the doors. Hardly a top 10 inclusion. Simpleton!!!!

[@irishspagetti6565]

I remember thinking when I was little when Raven left ECW to go back to WCW, it was a big deal to me because I loved the Sandman/Raven feud

[@alexwilliams5799]

Winning the WCW Championship on his first night wasn't surprising? You're losing it Pacitti

[@austinmoore4432]

Quite the abrupt ending

[@williamsmith666]

I still feel one day Moxley is gonna miss those guaranteed Ambrose psychecks when Khan's start to bounce.

[@theultimatemale6820]

THIS SHOULD PROBABLY BE CALLED, 10 TIMES WRESTLERS ABANDONED SHIP.

[@martinrubio6357]

Big show going to wwe in 99 was shocking

[@livingthenightmare6791]

Big show going to AEW in 2021 was shocking too! 😱😁

[@mightybk]

Nash & Hall kicked off the biggest angle in wrestling history, but Flair going to the then WWF while still the champion was still the biggest. It would have been better, though, had Hogan not been such a baby, refusing to lose to Flair. The two of them should have been in the biggest Wrestlemania ever, but Vince dropped the ball by going along with Hogan.

[@m8datmoney837]

Rude should of been number 1 since he was on both shows in same night my my opinion

[@lilpoetat]

thanks!

[@killuminatianonymous5551]

Just a heads up. Big Show *(Im PRETTY sure)* was a bouncer at *Show-N-Tel* in Philadelphia. Delaware Ave is where the club is. I think WWE isn’t going to say gentleman’s club. So they say nightclub.

[@stevegallo8483]

How did Medusa/Alundra Blayze jumping ship from WWF/E to WCW while she was WWF Women's champion and then tossing the championship in the trash not make the list?

[@HurriShane00]

yeah easily top 10 for me. it was a huge deal...mainly because of her instant impact with the title. I guess they need honourable mentions too. hell Hogan to WCW didn't even make the list.

[@KingLeno]

Too busy putting bs like Jon Moxley and Christian

[@King_Dragmire]

@@KingLeno I can agree with the Christian part, that could have been the spot for Medusa, but Mox is an actual big deal company change.

[@timsullivan4687]

This is what ultimately led to the Montreal Screw Job... Vince was afraid that Bret was going to do the same thing to the WWF title that Madouchebag did to the Women's title, so he pulled the trigger on screwing Bret over. Back in those days the wrestlers travelled with the belts....Madouchebag single handedly changed that policy forever

[@wintertrooper7918]

Medusa wasn't on the list because unlike some of the others her shift was very very noteworthy but was like a quick flash it was a big entrance followed by nothing

[@terencewalker9215]

Shane Douglas (plz excuse spelling) was the biggest name of that particular time to shock my "wrasslin" landscape!!!

[@barelyateam]

“barely a team” makes music for wrestling fans!

[@SiriusBlack-xx9fg]

What about Hulk Hogan to WCW??

[@Seventh721]

I don't think there has been any wrestler that has made the jump from AEW to WWE yet.

[@crazyecracker]

Always though kevin nash in a hat looked like Wayne from Wayne’s world.

[@thaigei3538]

It’s so funny because Chris is Miles ahead of Goldberg talent wise. Has always been

[@jb888888888]

What about when Lanny Poffo went from WWF to WCW? Nobody saw that coming.

[@zanethind]

Paul Big Show Wight used to do a Moonsault still unbelievable

[@martinrubio6357]

Christian going to tna was shocking

[@iceqtip2764]

Y'all didn't know that Rick rude is secretly Dr Manhattan did you?

[@leroylawrence2773]

When Madusa threw the WWE championship belt in trash was the most disrespectful of all the acts!

[@nathanwanner..44]

Rick was the best I loved that he did that who is going to tell him he can't it's Rick rude one of the toughest SOB in the business

[@tinotica]

Honorable mentions: -AJ Styles to WWE -X-Pac to WWE

[@killuminatianonymous5551]

I hear you can’t wrestle for another competitor for 60-90 days after *WWE* is that true?

[@voisindo]

It probably is now. Until the mid 2010s, most wrestlers were legally "independent contractors". This means that in theory a wrestler could wrestle for WCW on Monday, WWE on Tuesday, ECW on Wednesday etc. They wouldn't be allowed to (they wouldn't be booked), but they theoretically could. Rumour is that WWE contracts have changed significantly since and this is no longer possible.

[@thegloomining1955]

i dont care what anyone says but Lex Luger looked like a buffed up Mcguyver. their faces are too similar lol

[@shinigami146]

Before they got to #2, I thought they were somehow gonna miss it since his face didn't show up in the teaser intro. Thankfully I was wrong and it deserved its rightful spot. Not sure why Hogan to WCW was skipped though.

[@Loukious]

Madusa/Alundra Blaze to WCW as well

[@DecadentDeviant13]

Shane Douglas claims he was supposed to come with Perry, Chris, Eddie, and Dean. It's a whole thing.

[@jimmyteabag1718]

The way in which the video duration overlaps the thumbnail is just beautiful.

[@TheDetroitKind]

Whadda mean?

[@HakunaMatata_TTP]

@@TheDetroitKind Sarcasm I believe

[@husler1999]

Rude was a legit Bad Ass

[@DavidDavisDH]

Rick Rude looks like Hagger from Final Fight!

[@dethlady0]

If you view this video's thumbnail in your history, the video duration on the bottom right corner blocks half of the word night and it looks kind of funny.

[@zanethind]

Can't wait for Andrade and Miro to return to WWE

[@daviddoyle8956]

Rick Rude looked better with out the beard and some how looked younger thinner with just the mustache. To bad his wrestling carrier was cut short due to a back injury but I also think his hey day was over he was good in the late 80's that was his height him and Bobby.

[@blanketmobbypants]

Who else thought Big Show was really Andres son?