One of the most discussed topics among wrestling fans, with exception of G.O.A.T conversations, is who should have been WWE champion but never was. We all have our own thoughts, these are mine.
10. William Regal
An extremely underrated talent, and an exceptional wrestler. However, what I think was Regal’s best quality, was his character work. As a heel he was evil and cunning, bending the rules at will, as a face he was funny, engaging, and chivalrous. His mic work was amongst the best.
9. 'The Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase
A character which always works, someone who is so easily hateable that if they would have put the belt on him, and have him retain through diabolical means and cunning before losing to Hulk Hogan, it would have been a surefire success. A great worker, and talker, and for his time, nobody took a bump like a The Million Dollar Man.
8. Sting
Now, I know he was a multiple WCW champion, however that doesn’t count on this list! Not one of my favourite wrestlers ever, in fact, I can honestly say that I wasn’t a fan, at all. However, I can’t disagree with the popularity that he had. Even I can see the money in Taker vs Sting. Also, can you think how differently the Invasion angle could have played out if Sting and Booker T had led the charge?
7. 'The British Bulldog' Davey Boy Smith
As I have already said before, Dynamite was the better wrestler. Fact. However, he was a ginormous prick. Davey, on the other hand, doesn’t seem so universally hated. Also, if the reaction to his Intercontinental title win was anything to go by (granted it was in the UK) then a chance to hold the top title, even in a transitional capacity would have been great. However, the memory that I have straight away is an image of him being slammed in dog shit.
6. Ravishing Rick Rude
Is one of the handful of men to get something halfway decent out of Ultimate Warrior, which on its own deserves praise. He was also a great heel, and not too shabby a wrestler.Honourable Mentions
Scott Hall - Again, a character I was never a fan of, but undeniably popular.Brian Pillman - Someone who had the talent and in my opinion would have been a great champion, perhaps size held him back, perhaps injuries, we will never really know.
Harley Race - Perhaps signed with WWE(F) in the twilight of his career, but still had the respect of everybody and would have been a great champion.
Bam Bam Bigelow - Often underutilized, talented big man who could go in the ring. Often used as enhancement for new guys but could have been so much more.
5. Vader
When WWE(F) first got hold of Vader he was a straight up killer. A colossus of a man with a fearsome reputation, and he was more than capable of putting on great matches. Vader could have dragged the then transitioning WWF out of its slump by being a truly unstoppable monster. Whomever finally wrestled the title from him could have been shot into space and, in my opinion, he should have gone over HBK at Summerslam 1996. Had Shawn not been a massive bellend in those days he may have.
4. Jake 'The Snake' Roberts
I think it is universally agreed that Jake was one of, if not the, best promo men of all time. It didn’t matter that his matches weren’t technical masterpieces, every movement in and out of the ring mattered and he made you believe he was for real. Many list personal issues as to why Jake never won a title, but I don’t 100% buy that. Of course, they were somewhat to blame, but this was the 80’s every single wrestler had those problems. I think more than half was because he didn’t look like Hulk Hogan.
3. Rowdy Roddy Piper
It is unbelievable to think that a man like Piper only has one Intercontinental title reign. A truly hated heel in his early years in WWF, Piper headlined the first WrestleMania. A natural foil for Hulk Hogan it paid off in a big way. His natural charisma made him a very entertaining talker and his wild brawling style was always fun. Even as a fan favourite, Piper wasn’t afraid to push the envelope of taste, famously “blacking up” for a match against Bad News Brown at WrestleMania 6. His match against Bret Hart at WrestleMania 8 also proved that he could hold up his end of the bargain in a title match.
2. Owen Hart
A great wrestler, and by accounts of people who knew him, a better person. Owen should have become champion when they were playing out his “King of Hearts” gimmick in 1994, this would have not only pushed the feud with Bret to even more prominence but opened up a world of opportunity to others. Some would argue that perhaps his tragic accident robbed us of an Owen Hart world championship run, however by 1999, I think his time had passed.
1 Mr. Perfect
It should come as no great shock to anyone who read my favourite wrestler list that Curt Hennig grabs the number one spot. A maestro in the ring and on the mic. In a time of the three move specialists, Perfect stood out. Again, an ideal heel champion who could have won his matches using guile, cunning, and a superior wrestling talent. The very definition of missed opportunity.Well, that’s my list, and I love a list. Do you think I have missed anyone?
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