There’s a saying that goes “it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” This is true in most cases, but in the world of WWE, bigger is always better.

Most wrestlers that get signed are big genetic freaks that look like bodybuilders. The smaller guys, on the other hand, end up being used to make those big guys look strong.

This was the norm for many decades until the cruiserweight division was established. This gave many smaller guys a platform to shine and it has even led to their eventual rise to the top.

Although bigger wrestlers look monstrous and devastating, they often lack the in-ring skills and abilities that smaller guys possess.

Even though pro wrestling is sometimes called the land of the giants, there have been smaller wrestlers who broke through the glass ceiling and won the coveted gold in the process.

These wrestlers are considered to be dangerous despite their size and some of them have even triumphed over a much bigger wrestler.

Here are 10 of the Shortest but dangerous wrestlers in WWE history

#10 Daniel Bryan

Height: ‎5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)

Weight: ‎220 lb (100 kg)

Former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan is no doubt one of the best in the ring today. He has consistently been recognized by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter as one of the best in the world.

In WWE, Daniel Bryan is Grand Slam and Triple Crown champion. What makes him dangerous, you ask? The 5’10” Superstar defeated a lot of giants like Big Show, Kane, Triple H, Batista and even John Cena.

At WrestleMania XXX, he defeated The Game in the opening match and went on to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the main event in a triple threat match, the same match where he was sent through the announce table.

#9 Evan Bourne

Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)

Weight: ‎185 lb (84 kg)

Evan Bourne is one of those prototypical small guys that are seemingly poised for a push, but he has been on his way to one on a few situations during his time with WWE.

He is known for his high flying but hybrid Lucha libre styles of performing, earning him a place in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Best Flying Wrestler of 2008.

Bourne won the WWE Tag Team Championships with Kofi Kingston in 2011, his only title win in the company.

He was released in 2014. His run in WWE may be forgetful, but his Airbourne finishing move and his daredevil high-flying stunts in ladder matches will always be remembered by fans.

#8 Eddie Guerrero

Height: 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)

Weight: 228 lb (103 kg)

WWE Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero is one of the most beloved names in the pro wrestling business and his untimely death has done a lot to show how great he truly was.

He captured a lot of championships in his time between WCW and WWE. He has had many interesting feuds with Superstars such as Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, John Cena and more.

His Lie, Cheat and Steal gimmick was highly over with fans resulting in him being cheered even though he used heelish antics to win matches.

In 2004, Guerrero defeated The Beast Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Championship and at WrestleMania 20 he defeated Kurt Angle to retain the title. These major accomplishments guarantee him a golden spot on this list.

#7 Crash Holly

Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)

Weight: 205 lb (93 kg) 

Crash Holly is one of the most recognizable Hardcore Champions in WWE. He held the title 22 times, only behind Raven’s 38 title reigns.

Holly was the superstar to begin the 24/7 rule, forcing him to defend the title everywhere he went at any point in time.

He also held the WWE European, Light Heavyweight and tag team titles with Hardcore Holly.

He also wrestled in the independent circuit an in TNA Wrestling. Sadly, he committed suicide in 2003 after a drug overdose.

#6 Spike Dudley

Height: 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)

Weight: 150 lb (68 kg)

Spike Dudley was loved by fans whether he played a heel or face. He also won titles along the way. He held the Cruiserweight Championship, European Championship and the Tag Team titles.

Spike Dudley was also a seven-time Hardcore Champion. Being a part of the Dudleys meant he was involved in a lot of hardcore matches, which he was.

What makes him tough is no matter how many times he was sent flying through tables or powerbombed almost through the ring, he almost always got back up.

His much larger opponent beat him up so hard that most of the time you though Spike Dudley was dead. The fact that he survived all that makes him one tough son of a b*tch.

#5 Mustafa Ali

Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)

Weight: 182 lb (83 kg)

Mustafa Ali is known for his high-flying in-ring style. He competed in 205 Live where he was known as the heart of the brand before being moved to SmackDown.

The powers that be took notice of Ali and as a result, he was given a push by the company that could’ve earned him a shot as WWE Champion.

He suffered an injury during his push which ultimately gave birth to KofiMania. Ali has defeated many names like Daniel Bryan, while the latter was the WWE Champion.

He had good matches and feuds with several Superstars and is one of the few small guys in WWE to be featured in the main card.

#4 Chad Gable

Height: 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)

Weight: 202 lb (92 kg)

Just like Mustafa Ali, Chad Gable is another small guy who was given a push and had good matches in WWE. Gable is a former NXT and SmackDown Tag Team Champion.

He has teamed up with different Superstars such as Jason Jordan, Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Roode.

Gable lasted till the finals of the 2019 King of the Ring tournament where he lost to the eventual winner King Corbin.

Gable also took part in the Olympics and he was also an amateur wrestler. He is one of the strongest guys in the roster.

#3 Ricochet

Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)

Weight: 188 lb (85 kg)

Ricochet made a name for himself in the indies, ROH and NJPW before joining NXT, where he won the North American Championship.

He made his main roster debut where he was teamed up with Aleister Black.

Ricochet is a former United States Champion and he was also a contender for the WWE Championship. He has defeated a lot of bigger guys such as Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, Luke Gallows, Samoa Joe and many more.

Just like the many names on this list, he is also known for his high-flying abilities in the ring.

#2 Rey Mysterio

Height: 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)

Weight: 175 lb (79 kg)

Rey Mysterio is perhaps the best cruiserweight wrestler in the whole world. In an industry where big guys get the top spots, Mysterio broke all the stereotypes with all his accomplishments.

He has defeated a lot of big names during his time in WWE and he has also captured a lot of titles along the way.

Mysterio is a former World Champion, WWE Champion, United States Champion, Cruiserweight Champion, Intercontinental Champion and Tag Team Champion.

He has also won the Royal Rumble match. No other cruiserweight wrestler can top Mysterio’s accomplishments.

#1 Chris Benoit

Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)

Weight: 220 lb (100 kg)

Chris Benoit is one of the darkest figures in wrestling and his name has almost been erased from the entire wrestling business.

Benoit was a gifted wrestler. He was a good technical wrestler, had a well-built body despite his size and he was also a popular name.

His most famous moment in WWE was at WrestleMania 20 where he and his best friend Eddie Guerrero celebrated in the ring after Benoit won the World Title in the main event of the show.

He committed suicide by hanging himself and he killed his son Daniel and his wife Nancy. WWE never mentioned Benoit’s name since that time and they rarely promote any match or moment he was involved in.

For years, fans have been calling for the company to induct him into their Hall of Fame. Despite Benoit’s heinous actions, he is still one of the best wrestlers to ever compete inside the ring.