The Radicalz

Infobox Wrestling team
article_name=The Radicalz
type=S


caption=Radicalz Members left to right: Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko (kneeling), Eddie Guerrero, Perry Saturn
members=Chris Benoit
Eddie Guerrero
Dean Malenko
Perry Saturn
with
Terri Runnels
names=The Radicalz
debut=January 2000
disbanded=early May 2001
promotions=WWE|

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. Terri Runnels later joined the group by proxy after becoming Saturn's (onscreen) girlfriend. Benoit, Malenko, and Saturn all had previously been a part of a similar small stable of younger talent while in the WCW, The Revolution, which was dismantled by their defection.

History

World Championship Wrestling

In 1999, four World Championship Wrestling mid-card 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 in a year. At the time of the jump, Benoit, Malenko, and Saturn were members of a stable in WCW called The Revolution, whose leader was Shane Douglas, which further fueled the rumors that 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 then-booker Kevin Sullivan as a way to keep Benoit in WCW. However, Benoit and Sullivan never saw eye to eye, a primary reason believed to have been Benoit becoming involved with Sullivan's ex-wife, Nancy. 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 forced the submission and therefore his title reign was deemed invalid.

World Wrestling Federation

The four first made their appearance on the February 1 edition of "RAW", as audience members and backstage guests of Mick Foley. They interfered in a match and soon afterwards, "won" contracts with the 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 the WWF. Guerrero injured his elbow upon first entering, and injuries nagged him from staying a part of the group. One of their most memorable matches was on "WWF Heat" against The Hardy Boyz; Perry Saturn and Chris Benoit were the representatives for the Radicalz along with Terri Runnels, who helped to win the match by pulling Jeff Hardy out of the ring over the ropes by the hair and executing a cross body from the top rope on Matt Hardy.

plit

The four drifted apart in the summer of 2000 to pursue individual goals, but in November of that year, the group reformed and aligned themselves with Triple H as his secondaries/hired guns during his feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin. In early 2001, Benoit had turned face for the first time in WWE history during a rivalry with the heel gimmick of then WWE star, Kurt Angle, while the other Radicalz remained heels and eventually forced Benoit out of the group, with Guerrero replacing him as the leader.

Guerrero was released that spring, shortly before Benoit's injury. Saturn, Terri, and Malenko continued on as the Radicalz until Malenko's retirement shortly before the Invasion storyline.

Guerrero was re-signed by the now-WWE in the summer of 2002 and was paired with Benoit to coincide with his return from injury (though not as The Radicalz). The duo would separate after jumping to "SmackDown!" but interacted on occasion, whether as opponents or allies; most notably at WrestleMania XX, where WWE Champion Guerrero celebrated with World Heavyweight Champion Benoit; and at ECW One Night Stand, their final match together.

Current whereabouts

Of all four Radicalz (five if Terri Runnels' membership is taken into account), none are competing on a regular basis.

*Saturn, who was released from WWE in November 2002, is the only surviving Radical still wrestling, although semi-retired.
*Malenko, as mentioned, retired in mid-2001, and is now a trainer/agent with WWE; he is the only surviving Radical to remain with the organization.
*Runnels left professional wrestling in March 2005.
*Guerrero died on November 13, 2005. "(see article)". Died of myocardial infarction.
*Benoit died on June 24, 2007. "(see article)". Death ruled a suicide via self-asphyxiation.

Championships

*World Wrestling Federation
**WWF European Championship (2 times) – Guerrero (1) and Saturn (1)
**WWF Hardcore Championship (2 times) – Saturn
**WWF Intercontinental Championship (3 times) – Benoit (2) and Guerrero (1)
**WWF Light Heavyweight Championship (2 times) – Malenko

ee also

* Revolution