Imagine the rage this bracket would have caused if something like this happened now

>Whatcuckture "Why does Vince hate WCW wrestlers" think piece

Stop being contrarian for the sake of it. Who the fuck would rather watch a Val Venis or Rikishi match over a Benoit or Guerrero match?

I don’t really have a problem with it.
Eddie pre 2002 wasn’t anything special and Rikishi beating Benoit is more than believable.

fair enough, for at least in wwf. starting with Jericho vs Kurt is pretty dumb

Not everything is about having the best workrate. Geez.

I actually rewatched that whole show a couple of months ago. It was a really nice time when workrate wasn't the main focus. Don't get me wrong I like all those guys like Eddie and Jericho and I enjoy wrestling outside of WWE for the wrestling itself, but the short matches and story telling is such a nice change from watching a bunch of 20 minute plus matches all the time.

What does Venis or Rikishi offer that is so unique? That Benoit and Guerrero didn't have?

Maybe they were saving matches? You can't put all your matches on one show. They fumbled the tournament a bit though

characters
gimmicks

Character. Atleast more than Benoit.