Who Were the Least Likely World Champions?

[@QuoththeRavenRequiem]

Kofi Kingston definitely comes to mind as an unlikely world champion. He showed huge promise in the beginning, but after the infamous backstage politic debacle in 2009 and the formation of The New Day, it seemed unlikely that Kofi would ever capture the big one. Then Kofimania happened.

[@AJARyan-yn2uv]

Then they fed him to Brock and told him to forget about the rematch.

[@souleymanediawara7714]

so not really unlikely cuz the fans want it,after db win if a wrestler is well like by fans win the world champion it’s not really a surprise

[@Cobane823]

One of the worst world champions in history

[@Gabe413]

@@Cobane823 you cannot be serious

[@Cobane823]

@@Gabe413 uhhh yea 🤦🏾🤦🏾🤦🏾🤦🏾 never was and never will be world champion material….didn’t draw one penny ….and this is coming from a black guy lmao…. Super undeserving…charity case paper champion

[@steve5by5]

I think DDP could have easily been on this list considering how late he started in the business and the landscape of WCW at the time.

[@rickyrosay33977]

True he was able to become a world champion with a roster stacked with legends yeah he was Bischoff’s friend but his charisma, matches, hardwork, drive, and fan support made him a worthy champion

[@GetBenched2010]

@@rickyrosay33977 I remember when smarks despised DDP but I'm glad those days were short lived as he proved his love for the business tenfold throughout his career.

[@Xariama]

I remember DDP when he managed Badd Company in the AWA. Never thought he'd end up being a 3x world champion.

[@pinealdreams3005]

My only argument would be that, due to WCW's scattershot booking and the title seemingly changing hands every ten minutes, it's not that shocking to see anybody hold it.

[@monkeyman5866]

To me, Mikey Whipwreck's ECW title victory is probably the most cathartic win. I'm currently rewatching 95 ECW, and seeing Mikey slowly climb the ladder and the fans being unironically behind him is just beautiful.

[@CaptianBastard7]

Whipwreck > Dreamer....someone had to say it and as an ECW mark...I'm gonna

[@justinkongglang7080]

Steve corino

[@monkeyman5866]

@@CaptianBastard7 As a fellow ECW Mark, I still like Dreamer slightly better than Whipwreck

[@hankdatank09]

Man, I feel old. I remember most of these in real time as a kid. Good times.

[@Jason_Altea]

@@CaptianBastard7 As potential champions, I'd fully agree. Dreamer definitely deserved a couple good title reigns, but as he said himself, he always preferred his character chasing the belt to actually holding it.

[@pumpkinking5397]

I thought Jeff Hardy was unlikely as hell. I still remember seeing the first Smackdown he was champion thinking "Really?" I was definitely surprised.

[@orlandodanielperez5131]

Lol what’s wrong with that? The guy at his peak was doubling everyone in merchandise with no belt and no real major storylines prior to his push. Think of all the star power WWE had in 2006-09 and Jeff was still more popular.

[@pumpkinking5397]

@@orlandodanielperez5131 Nothing's wrong with it. I wasn't mad, just surprised.

[@itzsombra10]

@@orlandodanielperez5131 he was way to unreliable, same exact reason the never put the belt on Jake the snake and we’re hesitant to put it on Shawn

[@BBoy4040]

Tbh after he was fired in 2003, I had huge doubts for a main event Jeff push.

[@gavinchambliss8576]

@@itzsombra10over here making shit up

[@blacktytrix]

Mikey and mick getting the nod is definitely deserved. Mikey, a dude who was never trained and was never supposed to wrestle getting the gimmick of "lol this guy is a loser" yet winning the big one is a great story and mick coming along when he did was a miracle. He never would've worked in wwe just a year or two before he did show up and yet here is is, one of the biggest legends of the industry. And I love the setup dude. Looks great!

[@Jnwboss]

It’s so crazy to look at The Miz right now compared to his debut. From being I believe runner up in tough enough to him being practically a joke character on Smackdown. Then the surprising success with Morrison and his character change on Raw. Which then led to him being a two time world champion and admittedly a great IC champion. The Miz got to be in that conversation

[@TheKarlyzz]

the point that he isn't makes him greater. He is not unlikely, He has the look.

[@EnforcerX71]

Miz is also another guy who works his ass off, he works as hard as any indie darling the internet falls in love with.

[@dylanogg347]

"A Great IC Champion". Wrong friend. As WWE Intercontinental Champion, The Miz is: AWESOME!

[@Jnwboss]

@@dylanogg347 you’re right how wrong I was lol

[@Jnwboss]

@@EnforcerX71 That is true Miz is an example of a guy of just because you didn’t work the indies doesn’t mean you didn’t crawl and scratch your way to get to where you are.

[@PhilLeotardosGhost]

Honorable mention: JBL. Dude took a successful midcard act and parlayed that popularity into one of the best HEELS and character transformations ever. We knocked him during the prime of his character from 2004-05 but looking back at old highlights he was HILARIOUS and AWESOME in the role. Say what you want about his supposed real life backstage antics but when I met him randomly on the streets of NYC in Fall of 2009 he was a kind, cordial gentleman to me.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

I heard he’s really tall

[@PhilLeotardosGhost]

@@claymathewselevator8121 I'm 5'9, he's 6'6 and towered over me lol. His height is how I spotted him.

[@ziahamm1603]

Ah your excellency the Shah of Iran. How are you today?

[@ddjsoyenby]

truth.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

I’m enjoying his alliance with Baron Corbin

[@eastsidereviews727]

I think Bully Ray could've had a place on this list or at least an honorable mention. He was always seen as a tag team guy and then just a mid card heel, never really being seen as World Champ material. Thanks to the good parts of the Aces and Eights he got elevated, but it was still surprising seeing him as a company's top guy.

[@logd27]

Chris Sabin for that matter

[@Phoenixbrand95]

Was the TNA Title a world title at that point?

[@Cobane823]

@@Phoenixbrand95 yea Bully was one of the last champions that people actually watched lol the title and promotion virtually died after they took off EC3 who was pretty much there last hope tbh

[@dbone3356]

I feel the same way about Edge and JBL. Tag team guys. Then midcard at best.

[@Joe90h]

@@dbone3356 Nah, Edge was a chosen one, he just kept getting injured right as WWE were about to pull the trigger.

[@bigdaddyjpj]

It's funny that you brought up Van Hammer during the Ron Simmons part. I met Ron Simmons a few years ago and was telling him how I went to a WCW house show once in the early 90's, and I mentioned some of the wrestlers who were there, like Steve Austin, Brian Pillman, Buff Bagwell, etc. But when I said the name Van Hammer, Simmons literally busted out laughing as if I had told a joke. It was like he had forgotten that he existed and then remembered it all at once.🤣

[@ModernDayRenaissanceMan]

I lived in Panama City Beach in the days when WCW came here (and was sold here) & Van Hammer often showed up at house shows at Club La Vela

[@lukeharbolt7681]

I thought Shamrock's biggest rival was how his muscles were so strong it attacked his organs and made him spit up blood all the time his blood was so scared of himself that it tried to escape from his own body cuz he is some karate

[@TheOverachiever7]

Hearing Eddie being described as the Chavó of a team is so bizzare. I’ve gotten into wrestling by the time the Radicalz invaded WWF so I never knew about the WCW history.

[@sebastianbruckwilder5720]

I would ad Jeff Hardy to that list. Him winning the WWE title is one of my favourite moments of all time, because you never REALLY thought it would happen. He was always a bit beneath the top even if he was the most over babyface at times. I Happening was incredibly well deserved.

[@elchomper.1063]

I still hate cm punk for that cage match that ended Jeff's WWE run at the time. I was only 12 watching it live but I was so mad seeing it. His runs were absolutely dogshit but it was teased back in 2002. "Climb the ladder kid make yourself famous" is easily a top 3 greatest Jim Ross call's ever.

[@DamionStingerDrake]

Shawn Michaels and DDP for me. Shawn because without him I don’t think you get the smaller guys taken seriously enough. With DDP with how late he started in wrestling and all the effort he put in it shows no matter how late you start as long as you commit your all there’s always a chance.

[@derekvietro784]

Diamond Dallas page a great choice hbk not so much, bret already set the trend for the smaller guys and was better! Michaels became champ from politics as well so not so unlikely in my opinion. Good call with Diamond Dallas page

[@lordofshooters8784]

@@derekvietro784 Nah, Shawn took that even further for smaller guys and high flyers and Bret wasn't better, more grounded but a one trick pony type of wrestler where as HBK was like a swiss army knife.

[@ShubhamMishrabro]

@@lordofshooters8784 after shawn wwe didn't made high flyers champion. It started after rey mysterio and yes bret is better he established way for smaller guys

[@lordofshooters8784]

@@ShubhamMishrabro there were high flyers as champion though, even Kofi won the title. Bret was not ever better than Shawn. Bret was a one dimensional performer where as Shawn is the performer of performers. You knew what type of match you were getting with Bret, he was gonna mat wrestle everybody and occasionally there would some spots or gimmick finishes like his match with Austin or Piper. Shawn could mat wrestle and performing mat style moves, he was clean with it against guys like Bret and Kurt, but he could also be a high flyer, brawl, you name it and it was performed great. That's why I said Shawn was like a swiss army knife. He could literally do it all and let's not even talk about mic skills and charisma.

[@jamesg1974a]

Shawn was Vince’s boy. Not an underdog

[@noUGames]

I would love a Ken Shamrock video. He is the main reason I started watching WWF, as I followed him from UFC

[@AuroDHikoshi]

Brock Lesnar vs Ken Shamrock around 2002 was a miss opportunity.

[@Thechezbailey]

Dan Severn as special guest referee?

[@AuroDHikoshi]

@@Thechezbailey Steve blackman was possibly around too?

[@matthewlane518]

Seeing Ron Simmons win the title still gives me chills! What a great feel good moment! DAMN!

[@theragnarokmachine2251]

Gotta say, I can't be the only one who loves Brian's new office setup. Just saying. Keep up the great work man.

[@grizzy9034]

The sets only keep getting better. I remember when you were posting out of that chair sat in a yellow tinged room. Much love mr. Zane

[@TBLPW]

A name I think about all the time when it comes to this topic is Rob Conway and his run with the NWA World Heavyweight Title. I look back and enjoyed his run, but given how little WWE did with him in his singles career on the main roster, it came as a shock to me at first. Under that same vein, James Gibson winning the Ring of Honor World Title is another name I can think of.

[@Pocketrocket-pj1us]

Merci Beaucoup

[@thealjohnsonshow2188]

1. Nice new setup, Brian. It looks mad clean. 2. An unlikely World Champion, in my opinion, is Eddie Guerrero. While it could be argued that Eddie was/is World Championship material, it was almost unfathomable that Eddie would ever actually hold a World Title. His win in 2004 is not only iconic, but also inspiring when you take into consideration the road to redemption he was on.

[@djywrites]

Eddie is on the list!

[@thealjohnsonshow2188]

@@djywrites I know.

[@crimsoncrescentmoonreviews5381]

I'm EXTREMELY surprised that Daniel Bryan didn't even get so much as an honorable mention

[@SapinskiMath]

The fact he was mentioned by proxy through CM Punk could be argued as an HM of sorts.

[@streetrat48]

But he's a world traveled wrestler who was DEFINITELY winning the title anywhere he went lolol

[@neighslayer768]

He won his first world title in ROH, a place where it would be more surprising if he didn't win it.

[@ddjsoyenby]

he needs to do a part 2.

[@denniswilliams6519]

Yeah Daniel Bryan was more shocking than Punk. Punk may have been an indy guy, but he had undeniable charisma and a unique look. Daniel Bryan was considered the ultimate indy guy without a distinct look who nobody ever expected to be a world champion. People were speculating if Bryan would even last 2 years in WWE, much less all he ended up accomplishing.

[@benespinosa6725]

Love the setup Brian Mikey whipwreck was awesome in ECW and I had no clue until I did research that he used loser by Beck as his ECW theme which was awesome great video Brian You're the best.

[@MarkWhiley]

I love Mikey's story, his in-ring work both solo and with Tajiri, his character work with James Mitchell in both ECW and MLW, and how a guy that started without much training ended up training people like Amazing Red, Jay Lethal, Matt Cardona, John Silver and others. He's also just a really nice and humble person. As such Mikey has long been my favourite wrestler 😊

[@claymathewselevator8121]

I’m surprised WWE never did a backstage segment with Sqt Slaughter and CM Punk given Punk’s Cobra tattoo

[@TheFlock83]

I’ll never forget that I missed the “Butts in seats” announcement so I watched the end of Raw that night. I’m so thankful that I got to see Mankind win the title as it happened instead of the finger poke of doom

[@EnforcerX71]

What I don't get is how no-one in WCW was able to convince Bischoff it was a bad idea to have Tony Schiavone say that, not only was Mick one of the biggest stars in the business, as big as anyone WCW had themselves at that point, it even PLAYED INTO THE STORYLINE that WWF themselves were telling, where Mr. McMahon had handpicked The Rock as his "corporate champion" while Mankind was the "undesirable" guy that suits wouldn't see as "their champion".

[@MiketheCabbie]

You and about 600,000 others that night. One could make the case that that night was truly the beginning of the end for WCW.

[@theoneandonlymichaelmccormick]

Man, I’ve never really contemplated how much Mikey Whipwreck looks like a beardless Kevin Owens.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

I can’t unsee this now 😂

[@juicyeboi9006]

Great list! I'd include Tommy Dreamer and if counting the WWECW title Matt Hardy and even moreso Chavo Guerrero

[@DeadKoby]

It's actually a bummer that Ron Garvin gets flack. He was always a good hand in the ring, and I enjoyed watching his work. The match in which Garvin won the championship was hard fought, so it wasn't a BS finish kind of event.

[@jamesg1974a]

He was one of my favorites

[@DeadKoby]

@@jamesg1974a I realize he didn't have a glorious reign as the champion....... but I don't like seeing him called "worst" anything... he was a solid competitor.

[@alonzohamptonwade9031]

That match where he beat flair was a true slobber knocker and that sunset flip off the top was nice

[@jamesg1974a]

@@DeadKoby he was one of the most skilled and most interesting performers that didn’t have an over the top gimmick.

[@SofaK1ingN1c3]

Bradshaw is my idea of an unlikely champ, It seemed he was set as a tag team guy if not lower mid card (cemented in the hardcore division) who looking back at his career could see he had the JBL character in him.

[@SteRDLK]

Bradshaw's two previous singles runs (1996, 2002) had both failed. He was in a tag team with a novelty gimmick that was 5th in the pecking order during the Attitude Era. 38 years old and becomes the biggest heel in the company and had a legit great run as champ. Nobody would have said in January 2004 that Bradshaw would have such a run. Not even Bradshaw. A true wrestling god!

[@Jimbo-wx9pu]

That Ron Simmons power slam will forever be one of the crispest finishes to a match. The timing on both men was perfect

[@fattiger6957]

Yes, do a video about Ken Shamrock. It really seems like fans who weren't around for the Attitude Era know nothing about him and WWE has been ghosting him for 23 years. Despite never being a world champion, he was pretty important back in the day.

[@nickpearson890]

Bob Backlund winning the wwe championship in 1994 was pretty unexpected

[@henryklein7623]

My first thought as well. Dude's career was wild.

[@zlinedavid]

He has never eaten marijuana.

[@dr.snakes]

SPORTS! EDUCATION!

[@alonzohamptonwade9031]

Backlund is so hot 🔥

[@mike-xt7qi]

Tommy rich was very talented.

[@PyjamaLlama]

Mickey Whipwreck, Mick Foley and Daniel Bryan's title arc's were amazing. I would have loved to have seen Owen Hart beat Bret for the title too but for some reason they never went ahead with it.

[@Scorprock102]

Owen did actually beat Bret for the title but the decision got reversed

[@dannyknightblade4592]

@@Scorprock102 Yeah I remember watching that old match on VHS a bunch of years ago! Owen is probably my favorite "phantom" wwe champion; and Brian Kendrick after him.

[@vciotoli2126]

James Gibson AKA Jamie Noble in ROH. Not only did he take the title off Punk before he came to the WWE, this was still the time when guys like Samoa Joe, Homicide, Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles, Roderick Strong, etc. Were on the roster. I'd say Steve Corino too in ECW

[@FyreStarting]

I love the look on Luger's face as he's helping hoist Bret Hart up after Bret won the championship. He looks so jealous and disheartened. Lol

[@kevinpayton2664]

I noticed that too.

[@Pocketrocket-pj1us]

Next stop. Lex Express. Everyone off. Vince wants the Bus/camper back! I Love that moment but I enjoy the Summer Slam moment, when Lex wins it all, gets put on everyone's shoulders,and the crowd cheers like there's a new Champion and king of the World !!!! All of this for a count out win! There was a Set of Wrestling trading cards, from that time. Guess what the photo on the front was? LOL It's like Lucy pulls the football away but every on cheers on Charlie Brown, (who lies in a Brown puddle!

[@coldfront918]

I think we could to do up to 3 videos on this subject. I mean Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, Matt & Jeff Hardy, Chris Benoit, Danidl Bryan, Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler (wished he had a better reign), JBL, Alberto Del Rio, The Miz. I could go on and on. Great video. I did not think of Foley. I was leaning towards Jericho. But Foley is the right pick

[@Hawkeye26]

17:14 Not only was I hoping this would be the choice, I was SUPREMELY pleased to hear the quote that changed the tide of the war!

[@p.d.l7023]

I remember Ronnie Garvin winning and it being a big surprise to everyone. Flair was wrestling a different contender in every city that Summer. I couldn't tell you who he wrestled here, but I was there.

[@Jnwboss]

I’ll also add Matt Hardy to the list…yeah his run was on Impact but even then I NEVER expected Matt to be a world champion. Jeff I had a feeling he would get there because that dude was way to popular to ignore but Matt I was shocked when Impact made him champion. His run was a little weird with him being a heel and all but definitely surprised me

[@vancebrown5827]

An honorable mention that should have been mentioned, Ice Man King Parsons. The first Black World Champion. That time was during the last days of World Class Championship Wrestling.

[@jamalvargas6146]

Bobby Roode I've Experienced His Evolution in TNA from Team Canada , Beer Money , and his long title reign in said company still did James Storm dirty in my opinion

[@justinhillenburg9286]

The Tennessee Cowboy should've had more than just an eight-day reign as champion.

[@logd27]

100% on Storm losing his title

[@PierzStyx]

I could watch that Ron Simmons's powerslam @5:51 on a loop for hours. It is just executed so beautifully. And to a man the size of Vader, too! Simmons should've WWF Champ during the height of the Nation.

[@zlinedavid]

Mark Henry described Ron as “the definition of country strong”. Wasn’t big on hitting the gym, but didn’t need to. One of the hardest working dudes when he was in and out of the business.

[@SeanPynrose]

Growing up I remember watching Van Hammer. I know he wasn't everyone's favorite but as a you get fan I always got excited seeing him when he would come out. I think he had potential and could have done more given the opportunity

[@Cobane823]

Your joking right ??? 😂🤣🤣🤣😂😂🤣 if so greatest comment of all time if not dumbest comment of all time Van hammer fucking sucked lmao you talk about opportunity ???didnt they repackage this guy no less than 10 different times and it never worked lol how is a possible that a 7 ft tall blonde ripped guy doesn’t get over in the 90s!!!!!! That’s like literally fucking impossible unless you absolutely SUCK !!!

[@jeffrichards1537]

A.J. Styles should have been in WWE a long time before he did. If he was brought in early he would be looked at better than Cena. He is phenomenal lol.

[@peterhenn4344]

The number one was the correct pick, but one name you didn't mention - and he's in a similar vein to Bret and Eddie - is Stone Cold Steve Austin. I don't think anyone thought, when he joined the WWF as a good, solid, dependable mid-carder, that two years later he'd be the biggest star in wrestling since Hogan.

[@guillermosierracuellar9812]

Congratulations Zane for the new studio

[@PatrickRain0512]

Ken Shamrock was actually "just" 9 years gone from Wrestling after his Juggalo Match. He even came back to TNA/Impact Wrestling in 2019

[@mrterp04]

Fantastic list! It wouldn’t work here, but I feel the least likely REIGN was the second reign of Bob Backlund. Even tho he was purely there as a transitional champ, it was so out of left field.

[@krebyrocks77]

This for sure. Had Vince took over the WWF earlier than he did, doubt Backlund would have been anywhere near the Championship picture let alone be Champion. That also may have meant there would have been no Mr. Backlund character and that would have been disappointing too.

[@danflorio834]

The new lighting in your background looks great!!

[@tylerpascua6818]

Loving the new set up! Glad to have you back in Eugene OR boss!

[@samanthac6237]

Kin shamrock did have did have one more match in TNA after losing the title. He took part in the gauntlet for the gold right after Jeff Jarrett won the 1st ever kingdom king of the mountain match in 2004

[@d13ndr1der7]

Liking the new setup Z-Man

[@sirekumasutra7022]

This idea has so many others you could choose: Kofi Kingston, Brian Danielson, Chris Jericho, James Storm, Eric Young, Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, Booker T, Christian Cage, Ron Killings among others.

[@Kusanagikaiser999]

Kofi Kingstone and Daniel Bryan I think also deserved a mention in here.

[@i.elliott]

I'm really enjoying your new background. Feels like a "grown up/adult" version of the original set from many many years ago.

[@utsmoi]

I watch Foleys first WWF championship win fairly often. It’s such a good match and you of course the loudest pop of all time when Austin comes in to help

[@willmanning1215]

Love the new setup Brian.

[@michaelfalkner1186]

Whipwreck actually works on two levels: 1) The plucky underdog story is actually inspired. 2) It's a great loyalty thing to the ECW locker room. Kid started as one of the ring crew, got MAULED in jobber matches, and then they found something with the kid and actually were able to cultivate it!

[@enderhx]

I love Mikey Whipwreck. Will cheer for him forever. So much fun to watch :)

[@cocopuffgames]

In some alternate universe, Ken Shamrock got the Lesnar post-2013 treatment in 98, and is mentioned with Austin and Rock as the biggest stars of the era.

[@charlesedwards2856]

I was there the night Foley won (Raw was taped the week before and was during Christmas break my senior year of HS). I remember the overbooking of the match was so ludicrous, but when that glass shattered, everyone lost their shit! I think subconsciously everyone knew Mick would win when Austin came out and it increased the pop. I have never been anywhere close to a crowd that energized since, and the best part was that when it aired! I wasn’t going to watch since I had been there, so I had Nitro on…but then Tony Schiavone gave that infamous line and I just had to relive it and switched immediately over to Raw! Gave me chills to rewatch it!

[@RKStrikerJK5]

2:50 Yes, please!

[@Aalok1991]

Once again, it's an example of how good good'ol JR was/is, literally turned the tides in almost all wrestling promotions!

[@bigjohnsbreakfastlog5819]

If you want to think about it, the Great Khali is very unlikely, given he got the belt largely out of circumstance due to SmackDown in 2007 missing a lot of talent, not being interested in giving perinneal second fiddle Kane the strap, and weren't ready to put the belt back on Batista just yet. Was it a good idea? In hindsight, it wasn't, but it was worth a shot.

[@ALTAIR2]

If I recall Kane was offered the belt in 2000 but said no. I wouldn't be surprised if he turned it down in that situation

[@nujabeez6573]

The Undertaker in 1991, if I’m not mistaken only the Ultimate Warrior before 91 was the only one to pin the Hulk Hogan for the WWF title on the line. So it was a big moment for The Undertaker to do it at survivor series 91.

[@logd27]

“You got me brother!!!” *Hulk Hogan*

[@MiketheCabbie]

Andre the Giant did it in 1988. It wasn't a clean pin, but a pin nonetheless, and the title did change hands (and was immediately vacated). The Undertaker, as well, won the title on a screwy finish. 'Taker tombstoned Hogan onto Ric Flair's belt when he slipped it in the ring.

[@hobsdigree2]

I know he's saying Brett Hart and Eddie weren't initially people you would think would become champions, but could you picture the rookie Rocky Maivia or "The Ring Master" become champions upon first seeing them? I think there's quite a few guys you could add to this list if you're including Brett Hart on it. Jeff Hardy maybe? Christian?

[@GamersHolyArmy]

Jinder Mahal was just Universe Mode becoming real.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Matt Cardona said on podcast that one of the reasons he won the IC Title at Wrestlemania 32 was because Vince just happened to watch an episode of WWE Main Event he was on

[@AndreNDP]

Damn, cool new setup, Brian! Congrats on the move!

[@TheInfamousDJ1]

1,000 percent agree w/Foley. Kofi is another good one, Lashley despite being awful on the mic is another one. I would also add Scott Steiner on the list. His promos where insane.

[@Elementa2006]

I think a good argument could be made for Bryan Danielson during his tenure as Daniel Bryan in the WWE. When he appeared on the first season of NXT back when it started out as a scripted wrestling/reality talent show hybrid. Many people didn't think he belonged there especially a lot of the WWE fandom. And it didn't help when a heel Michael Cole was ranting about how Bryan didn't belong, while it was meant to be a storyline thing, a lot of people online took his words as gospel, especially after Bryan got eliminated for the competition. After he got fired for "being too violent" during the debut of Nexus, people were ready to write off his WWE stint as a failure until he was called back by the WWE. His second chance started well by winning the US title but after losing the title to Sheamus, he kind of went got stuck as a low midcarder. His Money In The Bank win didn't exactly set the world on fire despite hype from the online fanbase who supported him and the way he cashed in to win the World Heavyweight title by pinning an unconscious Big Show after Mark Henry knocked him out after their feud didn't exactly paint Bryan in a great light. While he would go on to have a lengthy reign with the Big Gold belt, he drop it to Sheamus in the infamous 18 second match at WrestlemaniaXXVIII, which many saw as WWE viewing Daniel Bryan as basically a nobody who wasn't worth having a big match at the biggest PPV in the business, followed with future storylines where he portrayed as a joke not worth taking seriously. Ironically, it was after that setback when Bryan started to really show he belonged in the WWE once he started the Anger Management storyline with Kane, which led to the Team Hell No! combo and winning the tag team titles, which really got him over with the WWE crowd, even those who didn't think he belonged at first. Then of course came the match with John Cena for the WWE title, which he won and lost after being screwed over by HHH, which lead to the long Daniel Byran vs the Authority storyline. Though after failing to recapture the title, Bryan was put in a short storyline involving the Wyatt Family in an attempt to move Bryan away from the main event picture, however due to the crowd dubbed the YES! Movement refusing to let it go and rejected the WWE creative's own choice Batista, the WWE was forced to continue the Bryan vs The Authority storyline, where Bryan would finally have his Wrestlemania moment winning the Undisputed title, a moment many thought he would never get when he first started his WWE stint.

[@robertclark2253]

Bret was two time Intercontinental champion he lost the title to The Mountie a few days before Royal Rumble 1992 , Roddy Piper beat Mountie at the Rumble and lost to the Hitman at WrestleMania 8 .

[@michaelpalma6346]

My favorite entry on the list is Guerrero I’ll never forget watching him beat Lesnar when it first happened. One of the greatest moments in Wrestling in my opinion.

[@TMC1982Part2]

Could Bob Backlund's second world title victory in 1994 count as at least, an honorary mention? I mean, Backlund was pretty much the face of the WWF in the post-Bruno Sammartino/pre-Hulk Hogan era. But it's still hard to imagine him as a world champion during the flashier, larger-than-life Hogan era. Granted, Backlund's second run with the belt was a transitional one (I believe that he only held the title for three days before he dropped it to Diesel at a house show at Madison Square Garden). But like Ken Shamock, Backlund had not too long prior, practically been a ghost in wrestling for almost a decade.

[@TMC1982Part2]

I also have to mention the fact that Bob Backlund at 45 years old, became at that point, the oldest world champion in WWF history. He also had the longest gap between world title reigns, which was 10 years and 11 months.

[@godspeedyoublacknerd]

The new setup looks tight, BZ!

[@williammitchell4417]

Scary to think about... Ken Shamrock vs Chris Benoit

[@MazzaMedia_]

I like a lot of the wrestlers everyone is discussing as an honorable mention in the comments. I’d like to add The Miz. From Real World to Tough Enough to 2x WWE Champion. Also Mysterio. Smallest Champion ever and only won it because Eddie passed away.

[@Suspect333]

what ECW did with Mikey Whipwreck was the best storytelling I've seen in a long time.

[@joshdrumheller4920]

There's a reason Bret has always been my all-time favorite wrestler. He was a master technician, solid on the mic, and had all the tools to be the face of the company. Still #1 to this day in my book!!!!!

[@MoSidd98]

“Jinder was hindered” I see you , Brian

[@jcace13]

I gotta say The Miz, he was nothing but a reality star who was kicked out of the locker room, nobody really saw him ever hitting the level of superstardom he’s at today.

[@ChrisWolff2013]

He's not a superstar.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

I’d watch a Ken Shamrock in WWF episode

[@peterhenn4344]

I've always felt it a terrible pity that Shamrock left the WWF around the same time Kurt Angle joined. A feud between those two would have been glorious.

[@zlinedavid]

@@peterhenn4344 Quit playing with my emotions. Shamrock/Angle and a healthy Bret/Angle are two of the matches I wish we could have seen around 2000-01.

[@pykeproductions]

PCO's recent ROH title run comes to mind. Crazy character change and always interesting to see these 'late bloomer' stories unfold.

[@BXMarathoner26]

"No Padding on the floor P*ssy" just cracked me the hell up Also it's why I Love Bret Hart: I saw his rise from the mid 80s as a tag team wrestler, to brief singles matches then to full time Solo matches all the way up to the World Title. You don't see Organic builds like that anymore. HBK had a similar rise after but Bret to me will always be my Favorite wrestler of all time.

[@SaltineMurican]

Love the new setup

[@neighslayer768]

Honorable mention to KENTA. Japan puts an even lower glass ceiling on smaller guys. Guys like Eddie, Mysterio & Danielson would never get a sniff at heavyweight gold. So seeing KENTA, a guy who probably would've been stuck in All Japan's neglected Junior heavyweight division, climb his way up the ladder thanks to Misawa showcasing NOAH's own juniors and dethrone the heir apparent to Jumbo Tsuruta himself, Takeshi Morishima to win the GHC heavyweight title, it was a feel good moment.

[@mattthomas1442]

hahaha before finishing the video I was on my way to comment how Mick Foley should've gotten atleast an honorable mention cause I thought maybe Danielson, Rey or somebody else was gonna be 1 but thankfully I watched to the end before commenting. So glad you not only recognized how unlikely he was but put him number 1.

[@TMC1982Part2]

6:41: This is some random trivia, but I just realized that Tommy Rich won the NWA title off of Harley Race on the exact same day that MTV first went on the air (August 1, 1981).

[@imonmxrs]

WWW has one of the best intros on youtube ngl

[@coryshannon3815]

Ken Shamrock is the one guy I'd love to see be a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble. Probably for my nostalgia purposes, I'd pop like crazy if I heard his theme hit after a 10 second countdown.😁

[@theomega311]

I know I made an earlier post saying pretty much the same thing but I just wanted to bring this back around full circle for guys I feel like could have been, should have been, or maybe regionally known as world champions. Jerry Lynn? Obviously on the top of my list. Love the dude, one of the best ever severely underrated. Tommy Rich? Gotta be honest my guy, for a guy from Memphis he should have been a much much much bigger deal. Could say the same thing about Dirty Dutch Mantell, another really fun worker from one of the tougher spots in the card. Keep up the great work Brian, love you Z you’re the man.

[@theabhominal8131]

best intro on youtube...period!!!!!!

[@ScottyAndLucy]

Good list but how was PCO not included on here?! Part II please!

[@thebombkidbomb]

Not sure how others will react to this, but I'm surprised Hangman Page wasn't included here. After all, there was a time when he was considered the least prominent member of The Elite. Now, he's one of the top stars in his promotion. The question is not if he'll receive another championship run, but "when?".

[@philipglover3295]

I really loved Vader’s interview on the 50 Greatest OMG WCW Moments Blu Ray is great he says that I wonder who Ron Simmons won that from with a big smile on his face showed how much Vader loved wrestling and loved being part of putting the belt on Ron Simmons

[@joshotten1904]

I actually dug jinder Mahal being the champ he served his purpose he was the heel and he had great colorful entrance so I was into it and actually would like see him at least a midcard title

[@theronmitchell3073]

Great list, who would be on mine or, who do I think you missed? Rey mysteio, JBL, the miz, the iron Sheik and booker T.

[@Selfloathingmisanthrope]

Props on the Mickey Whipwreck thumb

[@philwilson4167]

Honourable mention to Bob Backlund and his second wwf world title win. Only a transitional champ, but still surprising

[@CH-ju8zt]

The best theme in the wrestling reviewers game

[@Tony-hv7kp]

Hey got the Ryan regret manager card on 80s wrestling game

[@TheNaturalPatHarris]

7:58 don’t you mean Mikey shipwreck? Thanks, Brain