The quartet could have been invincible. With Chris Benoit at the helm, punishing opponents with his diving headbutts and agonizing Crippler Crossface, the Radicalz were like a vicious street gang bent on keeping rival riff-raff off their turf.

When Benoit found himself in a jam, he could depend on the fearless Eddie Guerrero to bull his way into a match, throw the referee out of the way if necessary, then flatten foes with the frog splash. After Guerrero, there was the mighty Perry Saturn, so tough that when he competed in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), he once ascended to the top of the turnbuckles with a broken leg and dove onto an adversary. If Saturn didn�t eliminate a competitor, Dean Malenko would step in, first using his encyclopedia knowledge of the game to stretch men all over the mat, then showing his sadistic streak and stomping them into submission.

When the Radicalz were on, no one could touch them. Even when tension crackled between the various members, there was an awareness that they�d eventually reunite to lay waste to the forces intent on derailing them.

Now, everything has changed.

It started when Guerrero and Benoit collided. It wasn�t the first time this has occurred. During the time Guerrero was involved with Chyna, he nearly ignored his role in the Radicalz. However, on this occasion the feelings beneath the surface of the conflict were more emotional and intense. Reportedly, Guerrero resented Benoit�s rise to the stratosphere of the World Wrestling Federation, a position the man known as Latino Heat believed he was entitled to hold. Every victory for Benoit became a blow to Guerrero, an individual renowned for his brutal temper and irrational fits of jealousy. Whenever Benoit�by virtue of being the most visible member of the squad-was labeled the �leader� of the Radicalz, Guerrero went on the warpath.

�I got tired of hearing that Chris Benoit was the most technical wrestling in the World Wrestling Federation,� Guerrero concedes. �It�s an ignorant thing to say. I don�t even think Benoit believes it. How could he? He hasn�t really tried Eddie Guerrero to find out.�

In the World Wrestling Federation, a struggle for dominance is not necessarily a negative thing. Bradshaw and Faarooq, Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley, and Matt and Jeff Hardy have all periodically clashed, as each component of these heralded units tried proving to the world that he was the more valuable team member. But the competition motivated each man to push himself harder. When these tandems were faced with outside opposition, the members instinctively joined forces, confining their differences to the dressing room.

Guerrero was not able to compartmentalize his life as easily. If he saw Benoit getting to much acclaim, Latino Heat lashed out. It got to the point where Benoit couldn�t trust his cohort to watch his back. In fact, Benoit confided to friends that he was also concerned that Guerrero would turn on him in a crisis-a fear that was realized when Latino Heat attacked his longtime friend on national television.

With a different collection of Superstars as partners, Guerrero would find himself isolated. After all, how could Saturn and Malenko invest anything in a Superstar who exhibited zero loyalty to the Canadian Crippler? But when Benoit parted ways with the Radicalz, the Rabid Wolverine was left alone. And Malenko and Saturn remained committed to the man who, for months, is said to have told that that Benoit was sapping the group�s energy, and stealing each Superstar�s personal thunder.

But can the Radicalz stay in business without their most important member? Some believe that the team may actually function better now that Guerrero, Malenko and Saturn no longer have to endure constant comparisons to the high standards of the departed Crippler. Another faction of supporters contends that the Radicalz simply don�t need an official leader nor the gossip and antagonism that come from laboring in another man�s shadow.

But Guerrero insists that Benoit was the problem. When he appeared to be leading the Radicalz, he was actually undermining them, the Chicano Superstar claims. Behind the scenes, Guerrero adds, he was the one holding the group together.

�It�s true,� he says. �I was the silent leader of the Radicalz. Chris Benoit just took all the credit for my work.�

How do Saturn and Malenko fell about their partner�s comments? Repeated calls to both men went unanswered. But associates-cleared by Guerrero-told World Wrestling Federation Magazine that both athletes completely embrace Latino Heat�s �management� of the team and are happy taking their orders from him.

Of course, a closer examination of the personalities of the two other members reveals flaws in this theory. Malenko exposed his immense ego during his feud with Lita and is rumored to suffer from delusions of grandeur-telling friends that he sells more merchandise than The Rock, and maintaining that he�s the only member of the Radicalz born with the appropriate �gray matter� to guide his associates. While Saturn has never aspired to lead the Radicalz, the same can�t be said for his manager, Terri, who believes that she �rescued� his career, and can do the same-or more-for Guerrero and Malenko.

To many, the solution to the Radicalz� problems may come from outside their ranks. Perhaps they�d be better off merging with another ferocious unit-like the one comprised of X-Pac, Justin Credible and Albert-and forming an unbeatable conglomerate. There are also those who argue that the breakup of another team would further the Radicalz� cause. If, for instance, Jeff Hardy were to be isolated by his brother and Matt�s girlfriend Lita, the daredevil with the multi-colored hair could conceivably hook up with the Radicalz, and take them places they�d never considered venturing.

Then, there�s the Chris Jericho factor. Although �Y2J� has apparently made peace with Benoit, the two fiery Canadians have been sworn enemies for much of their careers. What better way would there be for �Y2J� to prove his supremacy over his perennial competitor than by leading the other Radicalz into combat against the Rabid Wolverine?

As enticing as the scenario sounds, Guerrero is disinterested. No one else is needed in the Radicalz, he claims, because Latino Heat is already in charge.

�I can lead these guys to greatness,� he says of Saturn and Malenko. �All they have to do is follow.�