Over the years that this world title has been introduced into wwe we have seen great champions come and go, some being top guys and other just rising to the top, my title explains it all, who was the most unlikely to win the title but won anyway, my pick and for an obvious reason would go to dolph ziggler, the guy was champ for not even 2 hours, did he deserve his trashy title reign? Nope maybe in the future but not at this time, who is your most unlikely world champion?
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Most Unexpected World Champion
- Thread starter Jtrivera
- Start date
My pick would have to be Rey Mysterio. His offence doesn't seem that effective, and you cant imagine him beating any realistic contender for the title (in fact, I can't think of a single World Champ that hasn't got a clean win over Rey). He is just far too small for me to take seriously as a champion.
x24hrs2livex
Occasional Pre-Show
Y2J-the night he beat HHH on RAW only to have Trips bully Hebner into reversing the decision. I never thought Jericho would win that night.
berlinbrawler
Lovable Curmudgeon
Agreed, BK201, Sheamus' win came unexpected and way too soon. There was no question this guy was a future champion, but why not let him chase the title for a while first? Too often guys these days win the belt on their first try. The guy is in his rookie year and already has been to the mountaintop. That's just bad writing, really.
As for Ziggler, I don't consider him a former champion. His 1 hour run was a farce. He never won the title. It was just messed up and stupid.
As for Ziggler, I don't consider him a former champion. His 1 hour run was a farce. He never won the title. It was just messed up and stupid.
Jack-Hammer
YOU WILL RESPECT MY AUTHORITAH!!!!
In recent years, most definitely Sheamus. Sheamus went from being an fairly obscure guy over on the ECW brand to WWE Champion all within a span of less than a month. It was a risky move, putting the title on someone who was practically unknown by the majority of the WWE audience but, overall, it worked.
However, from an overall perspective, I'm definitely going old school with this one and say Ivan Koloff. While Koloff was merely a transitional WWWF Champion back in 1971, he was still the man that ended Bruno Sammartino's first run of 7 years, 8 months & 1 day as champion. The closest thing generally comparable to that today would be ending The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania. It was so unexpected that there was just this collective gasp and sudden deathly silence when the longest undisputed World Championship run in pro wrestling history was ended.
However, from an overall perspective, I'm definitely going old school with this one and say Ivan Koloff. While Koloff was merely a transitional WWWF Champion back in 1971, he was still the man that ended Bruno Sammartino's first run of 7 years, 8 months & 1 day as champion. The closest thing generally comparable to that today would be ending The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania. It was so unexpected that there was just this collective gasp and sudden deathly silence when the longest undisputed World Championship run in pro wrestling history was ended.
Da Big Champ
Pre-Show Stalwart
There are many people that could qualify for this but one that sticks out in recent history is Sheamus as he was no where near the ME level and i think only now is he starting to look like he could be a world champion. Another is Ziggler which was an embarrassment to all involved in that feud and decision. I would also say Rey Mysterio in all of his runs because hes a good wrestler but I always see his wins against bigger guys as a fluke.
Doctor_What
Occasional Pre-Show
This is a bit old school but I'd actually say Hulk Hogan number 5. Yokozuna was the hottest heel in the business and had literally just won the belt in the Mania main evebt. Hogan had just come back from "retirement" and wasnt even in the match. In no way did I expect to see him walk out as champion.
Mustang Sally
Sells seashells by the seashore
Sheamus, hands down. Still think he won it too soon, but since then he's developed into a true world champion contender.
Following that line of logic, I say Jack Swagger.....except that he won it too soon and never developed into a true title contender.
It's understood that WWE wants to try and push young guys to see if they'll catch on. That's fine, but giving them the world title at such an early stage is a bit much. It worked with Sheamus but it sure didn't with Swagger. That goofy persona he displayed that magically disappeared the day he won the belt just didn't suit a guy at the top.
Mr$intheBank
Dark Match Jobber
I don't even count Dolph Ziggler as a world champ, he didn't even "win it", it was controversy with Edge's spear being banned. It was unexpected, yes, but it was even more ridiculous and stupid to award him the belt only to lose it to the rightful champ about 2 hours later.
Sheamus was definitely unexpected especially since he beat John Cena of all guys for the title. He was with WWE for like 6-7 months before he won it. The ECW counted as a World Title and I didn't expect John Morrison to win it when he was Benoit's replacement at Vengeance 2007. No one expected him to fight CM Punk and, at that time, I didn't think he deserved it.
To me, the most unexpected, or at the very least undeserving and worst world champ: The Great Khali. He won a battle royal which isn't really a shock but for WWE to actually give this guy a world title? really? At the most, he should just be the big guy that threatens world champions because he appears indestructible. He is like a Giant Gonzalez, probably worse. I would never expect him to win the world title at that time, since there were guys like Kane or Batista who could have won that battle royal.
Sheamus was definitely unexpected especially since he beat John Cena of all guys for the title. He was with WWE for like 6-7 months before he won it. The ECW counted as a World Title and I didn't expect John Morrison to win it when he was Benoit's replacement at Vengeance 2007. No one expected him to fight CM Punk and, at that time, I didn't think he deserved it.
To me, the most unexpected, or at the very least undeserving and worst world champ: The Great Khali. He won a battle royal which isn't really a shock but for WWE to actually give this guy a world title? really? At the most, he should just be the big guy that threatens world champions because he appears indestructible. He is like a Giant Gonzalez, probably worse. I would never expect him to win the world title at that time, since there were guys like Kane or Batista who could have won that battle royal.
Jeff Hardy, I never understood a spot monkey being world champ. He was missing most of what makes an effective champ, looks, Mic skills, charisma, I just didn't get it. At least Rey is charismatic and Kids love him, but I never understood the Jeff Hardy phenomenon.
mancpenguin
Occasional Pre-Show
Sheamus, hands down. Still think he won it too soon, but since then he's developed into a true world champion contender.
Jack Swagger. He never seemed comfortable with the title at all. He's not a bad wrestler, in fact his matches are usually entertaining but he was nowhere near the world title picture level when he got it. I was really gutted when he won Money In The Bank as I knew that he'd win a title he really wasn't ready for and its taken its time to recover.
I'm gona have to go OLD SCHOOL (pun intended) with this one and say The Undertaker's first title win at Survivor Series 1991 against Hogan. No matter what the odds were, Hogan always came out on top. So when this undead monster shows up and challenges the Hulkster for the strap, you would think he would win again, naturally. Not so, Ric Flair orchestrated one of the most shocking losses in Hulk Hogan's career. The rookie (as far as WWF service time) Undertaker steals the Belt from the Immortal One. Undead-1, Immortal-0
SinCityBlitz
Crossface Chickenwing
If we are going all time two really stick out. First is Ronnie Garvin beating Flair. Also Ron Simmons winning the title. I never thought they would put the title on a black man at that time. I was glad he won it though. As far as Garvin goes, I know it was a failure but I fucking marked the hell out. Garvin is still my favorite wrestler to this day. He deserved to hold the title.
If we are going WWE it would have to be Guerrero beating Lesnar. It really did shock me to see Eddie win the world championship from Brock. Hats off to Brock for doing the job.
If we are going WWE it would have to be Guerrero beating Lesnar. It really did shock me to see Eddie win the world championship from Brock. Hats off to Brock for doing the job.
The Dragon Saga
Whale in a Teardrop
When The Great Khali won the World Heavyweight Championship and held it for nearly two months. Him winning the match wasn't all that of a shock, he won it in an impromptu twenty man battle royal on Smackdown, but just the fact that WWE handed it to someone that nobody cared for in the slightest and then allowed him to hold it for over a month was idiotic. Hated his Championship reign.
Randy Orton kind of qualifies to me. It's not like he wasn't ready, but he was only two months after dropping the Intercontinetal Championship, Chris Benoit was in his fairytale reign as WWE World Heavyweight Champion and Orton was twenty-four and in Evolution. When Orton won it made sense and all that, but them handing it to him at twenty-four and while he was on Evolution was pretty shocking at the time. But again, he kind of deserved it.
And in recent times, Sheamus. Him throwing John Cena off that rope threw the table was amazing. WWE handing him the belt was great, I don't think he was ready at the time, but if anything it helped him to develop faster because his next reign as WWE Champion was much better and now hes became a guy who I see as someone you can trust to hold the belt if need be.
Randy Orton kind of qualifies to me. It's not like he wasn't ready, but he was only two months after dropping the Intercontinetal Championship, Chris Benoit was in his fairytale reign as WWE World Heavyweight Champion and Orton was twenty-four and in Evolution. When Orton won it made sense and all that, but them handing it to him at twenty-four and while he was on Evolution was pretty shocking at the time. But again, he kind of deserved it.
And in recent times, Sheamus. Him throwing John Cena off that rope threw the table was amazing. WWE handing him the belt was great, I don't think he was ready at the time, but if anything it helped him to develop faster because his next reign as WWE Champion was much better and now hes became a guy who I see as someone you can trust to hold the belt if need be.
S.J. Maximus
Championship Contender
I don't know why everyone is saying Sheamus when Jack Swagger was clearly much more surprising and undeserving of a World Title run. He was jobbing to Santino in January and February then all of a sudden wins MITB at WrestleMania and wins the title 5 days later on SD?!?!!?!? Why!? He is the least deserving champ of all-time and definitely my pick for unexpected seeing as how he went from jobber to champ in a matter of 3 months and actually picked up clean wins over Orton but got no reaction, sucked on the mic, and completely disgraced the championship.
At least Sheamus was getting the push of a century, I thought it was obvious that he'd get the title and I was ready for it because he was ready, believe it or not. His first title run, where he was the vicious Irish champ, was really good and he held his own both in the ring and on the mic but his second run is what convinced the IWC that he wasn't ready. That definitely wasn't the case though, the problem was they turned him into a bigger coward than the Miz, even though he was original the physical monster heel, he turned into someone who was almost never willing to fight and he lost all of his steam.
At least Sheamus was getting the push of a century, I thought it was obvious that he'd get the title and I was ready for it because he was ready, believe it or not. His first title run, where he was the vicious Irish champ, was really good and he held his own both in the ring and on the mic but his second run is what convinced the IWC that he wasn't ready. That definitely wasn't the case though, the problem was they turned him into a bigger coward than the Miz, even though he was original the physical monster heel, he turned into someone who was almost never willing to fight and he lost all of his steam.
slimymeteor
Wellness Policy Violator
If we are going WWE it would have to be Guerrero beating Lesnar. It really did shock me to see Eddie win the world championship from Brock. Hats off to Brock for doing the job.
That was probably the most surprising world title win for me, too. Eddie had a lot of fan support and was an incredible wrestler, but I didn't think Vince would ever pull the trigger with him. Lesnar was an unstoppable force and WWE was very selective with who went over him and it was incredible to see Eddie pin him 1-2-3.
Poop Master Flex
Mid-Card Championship Winner
Most have said it but Sheamus was hands down the most unexpected champ in recent years for my taste. If he won it today it wouldn't be a shock at all but at the time before he won the only people Sheamus fought were lower card to jobber status wrestlers, then all of a sudden literally out of nowhere this guy is the WWE champion. I remember joking with my bud when the match was made if Sheamus won (saying something if he won I would have to wear shades every RAW cuz of his skin tone) and I remember him saying there is no way he will ever beat Cena. No one thought he would win but yet he did, maybe a little on the cheap side yes but not dirty by any means.
The other one I would say was Eddie Guerrero. I loved it when he won, totally deserving but he was there at the time of them pushing heavily Brock, Angle and Benoit on Smackdown, Eddie was just feuding with Chavo the months before it, he had a match with Chavo a month before at the RR '04 and less than a month later he beats Lesnar for the title going into Wrestlemania, I just didn't see it happening at all. Guerrero was talented enough to be champ but he was just some that you thought would never be, I just thought it wasn't in the cards for him. I am happy to say I was wrong.
The other one I would say was Eddie Guerrero. I loved it when he won, totally deserving but he was there at the time of them pushing heavily Brock, Angle and Benoit on Smackdown, Eddie was just feuding with Chavo the months before it, he had a match with Chavo a month before at the RR '04 and less than a month later he beats Lesnar for the title going into Wrestlemania, I just didn't see it happening at all. Guerrero was talented enough to be champ but he was just some that you thought would never be, I just thought it wasn't in the cards for him. I am happy to say I was wrong.
Its got to be Russo in wcw.... he's the most egotistical person of all time in the business and has no track record of being that way and BTW he's not a wrestler!!!!
In terms of whats the point of giving him the belt.... Macho mans reigns in wcw.....
I never understood why give him the belt just for Hogan to hog the spotlight then some way some how the belt went back to Hogan!!!!
In terms of whats the point of giving him the belt.... Macho mans reigns in wcw.....
I never understood why give him the belt just for Hogan to hog the spotlight then some way some how the belt went back to Hogan!!!!
I'd go with Swagger out of the recent ones. This guy is pretty boring fore the most part and about him really stands out. Sheamus was getting a much bigger push at the time of his surprise win. Swagger won MITB out of nowehere and then was the champ in a few days. Then they put him in a horrible and boring feud with Big Show. Of course he bombed. What was WWE thinking?
One from a bit longer ago that I found shocking was Diesel's 8-second win over newly-crowned champ Bob Backlund at a house show at MSG. A world title change at a house show? And if I remember correctly there was no storyline between Backlund and Nash. Backlund's beef was with Bret Hart at the time. This one really came out of nowhere and was very shocking considering that Backlund had just won the title a few days prior on PPV in a 35+ minute match. And then after winning the title in 8-seconds, Nash had the strap for bout a year straight.
One from a bit longer ago that I found shocking was Diesel's 8-second win over newly-crowned champ Bob Backlund at a house show at MSG. A world title change at a house show? And if I remember correctly there was no storyline between Backlund and Nash. Backlund's beef was with Bret Hart at the time. This one really came out of nowhere and was very shocking considering that Backlund had just won the title a few days prior on PPV in a 35+ minute match. And then after winning the title in 8-seconds, Nash had the strap for bout a year straight.
theMaskednwker
Dark Match Jobber
for it's between shawn michaels winning the first elimination chamber he had just come back and i never thought he would be champ again, and second when eddie guerrero beat brock lesner i never thought eddie would be given the chance to be champ. both were shocking and had me jumping out of my chair
rickfoxoclock
Dark Match Winner
Wasn't there a night that Sheldan Benjamin beat HHH for the World Title on Raw? If so, that was pretty out of left field. As for as my most unexpected World Champ ever, I'd have to Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania IX. It just came out of nowhere that he'd come out as champion, and in such quick fashion against a massive monster heel champion like Yoko. Definite shocker for me
CenaSux4Life78
Pre-Show Stalwart
I would place my opinion on JBL. Here is a guy that just came out of nowhere, and won the title. I always viewed him as a tag team guy, that would not make much of an impact in the singles.
The Future Rises
Thinking Of A New Name..
My choice has to be Sheamus. He was only there for 6 months(4 months spent in ECW) and he was going against the face of the company. I don't think anyone saw Sheamus winning that match. Even though reports all over the internet spread about how Sheamus is buddy-buddys with Trips. It was just so unexpected.
Dolph Ziggler shouldn't have gotten a short world title run he deserves so much better. I don't think they should even count that as a world title reign. Teddy Long could have came out and said Dolph wasn't the champion.. But no.. They had to make him make Dolph "defend his championship" against Edge. It was so uncalled for considering Ziggler can easily outwreslte most of the main eventers.
Dolph Ziggler shouldn't have gotten a short world title run he deserves so much better. I don't think they should even count that as a world title reign. Teddy Long could have came out and said Dolph wasn't the champion.. But no.. They had to make him make Dolph "defend his championship" against Edge. It was so uncalled for considering Ziggler can easily outwreslte most of the main eventers.
GrandSword
Burning Hammaaaaah!!!
CM Punk's first title win hands down... This super indy guy who was very small compared to all the other champions running around at the time, had no real momentum besides the MITB win and had this huge reputation of everyone backstage hating him...
Who would have thought the guy from RoH wopuld be the top guy on Raw!
The funny thing was, the guy ddin't even get to be in the match where he lost it! Weirdest title reign ever (before the Ziggler fiasco)...
Who would have thought the guy from RoH wopuld be the top guy on Raw!
The funny thing was, the guy ddin't even get to be in the match where he lost it! Weirdest title reign ever (before the Ziggler fiasco)...
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