Who did you expect to become WWE/World Champ, but never did?

steelcityblues

Apologies if there is a thread from fairly recent past, on the same type of subject. If so, I am sure they can be merged.

Anyway, which wrestlers did you expect to be a WWE or World champion one day, but never got there due to either injuries, backstage politics, or simple luck of the draw.

Here are the ones I can think of:

Roddy Piper (granted he had enough popularity, but still shocked he did not have at least one reign)
Mr. Perfect (had the charisma, character,and in-ring ability. I thought he would take belt from Warrior or Hogan eventually)
Razor Ramon (either in 95 or 96, but personal problems prob. played a part)
Lex Luger (still baffled by SummerSlam 93 outcome)
Ken Shamrock (probably sometime in 99 or so)
Road Dogg (had no doubt he would at the time of DX. Easy to forget how over he was in that era)
D'lo Brown (looked like the overall package to me. Instead, he eventually wrestles in a tag team wearing a turban)
Carlito Pushed like mad from the outset of course. Guess it was his backstage attitude.
Lashley Basically, the black Brock Lesnar who Vince was crazy about. Surprised it didn't happen for him by the time of 08.
Kennedy Easily one of the few stand out promo guys from recent years. Again, I will readily admit that by early 07, I had little doubt that we were looking at a future champ. Injuries worked against him, though.

That's my choices - interested to hear other fans picks.

Eire-Dearg

Shocked Lashley didn't win a title. I wasn't watching much back then but he seemed a lot more then the big muscular robots we're used to seeing.

Charisteas

Test because he was a favourite of the McMahons and involved in several high-profile angles, and Matt Hardy due to being so over with the fans at one time.

jaykhunter

During the Attitude Era I was absolutely terrified Chyna would become the WWF champion. She was getting pushed so hard and everyone seemingly bought into it; impressive size and booking, but my God, she was the shíts on the mic and in the ring. She was the first ever woman IC champ and Rumble contestant, I thought WWF would give her a token win for shock value/seem less mysogynistic.

Thankfully (or not) HHH traded up for Stephanie McMahon and my fears were never realised.

I also thought Test would've been either WCW or WWE/World Champion one of these times. With his size and look, roid build and seemed to be one of Shane McMahon's boys, I thought he was a shoe-in. It was rumoured that Shane lobbied to have Test come in with the WCW belt back in '01. Test is one of my boys; he was always heated up for a main-event push but then something would happen at the last minute and they'd not pull the trigger. I guess kind of like Mark Henry, but I thought he'd actually get it.

There were tons of wrestlers in the 80s who didn't get the world title but definitely would've been worthy. Besides the two you mentioned, Ted DiBiase was a master craftsman of a heel gimmick, amazing promo and very talented in the ring. He had it all. I guess they couldn't have Macho's first title reign last shorter than 1 year, WWF wants a babyface winning at Mania.

steelcityblues

Charisteas wrote: »

Test because he was a favourite of the McMahons and involved in several high-profile angles, and Matt Hardy due to being so over with the fans at one time.

Test never had a 'personality' to me though. He was fortunate to be in a storyline with the McMahon's so early in his career.

drayme

Poochie Lashley since the push he got.

Diabhal Beag

Ken Kennedy
Muhammed Hassan

Those two I would have put money on being champs over Khali or Punk.

Cianan2

The Shockmaster

Stalfos

Mark Henry. He's been in and out of the title picture so many times that i thought he would have held it for at least a day.

GTR63

Owen Hart,particularly in the mid 90's looking back I thought he'd of won one anyway. Did Luger win one in wwe, i'm not sure he did but I haven't seen a lot of early to mid 90's wwf

parker kent

Late 80s/early 90s is full of guys who missed out due to Hogan, Macho Man, Warrior etc. In this era Million Dollar Man, Mr Perfect etc would have multiple titles.

jossnjuice

still waiting on morrison to get a chance......think if he could improve the mic skills he could be golden, because on an athletic footing, hes quality.

After he had been in WWE for around a year I was certain MVP was going to be the next big "superstar" and future world champion.

jaykhunter

jossnjuice wrote: »

still waiting on morrison to get a chance......think if he could improve the mic skills he could be golden, because on an athletic footing, hes quality.

I think he'd need to do a 180 on his backstage rep. Between dating the political-landmine Melina and being perceived as a wimp by Vince, among others, he's out of the running.

I amongst others really thought he was the breakout star of Miz & Morrison.

JP Liz V1

Roddy Piper, Mr. Perfect, Ted DiBiase and Owen Hart and they have already been mentioned and also I'd add Jake The Snake Roberts and Big Boss Man

the groutch

Shelton Benjamin, a seriously wasted talent

also Hacksaw Jim Duggan, never won a title of any kind with the WWF

Wolfe Tone

Lex Luger was WCW champ was he not?

sky88

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

Lex Luger was WCW champ was he not?

yea i think like 3 or 4 times

steelcityblues

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

Lex Luger was WCW champ was he not?

Sorry for the confusion - meant those who haven't become 'world' champion, since the WCW buyout!

Luger was never a favourite of mine, but it was shocking that Vince dropped the idea, given Lex's popularity back then.

dolittle

i thought scott steiner would get a title reign when he returned to the wwe

the groutch

dolittle wrote: »

i thought scott steiner would get a title reign when he returned to the wwe

another victim of HHH's ego

Charisteas

the groutch wrote: »

another victim of HHH's ego

lol yeah, Steiner has to be the only guy to win the WHC at a Royal Rumble, headline the next PPV before the Wrestlemania, and then not actually appear on the Wrestlemania card 4 weeks later. Must have done something to pi$$ of Trips.

Another pick from me would be The British Bulldog.

el dude

Most of the guys named would if there were two shows and two belts around at the time.

I was surprised Shawn Michaels never won one again before retiring. Any particular reason for that?

jaykhunter

el dude wrote: »

I was surprised Shawn Michaels never won one again before retiring. Any particular reason for that?

He refused/didn't work house shows, and WWE didn't want to that in their champion. He did however work house shows for the month or so he had it back in 2002. It really shows his priorities when it came to wrestling!

I wish he did beat Cena that WM or circa that time.

drayme

Rebecca Knoxx should have unified the WWE, TNA and Shimmer titles by now.

Mr Trade In

Shane McMahon, very surprised Vince never gave him a run with the title. Goldust, pervy character or not he was a solid worker. Godfather/Kama/Papa Shango was always on the brink, fully agree on Owen Hart too.

smilerf

I know he was champion a few times in WCW but i was suprised Rick Rude was never given the WWF title

shoxter

me

gimmick

drayme wrote: »

Rebecca Knoxx should have unified the WWE, TNA and Shimmer titles by now.

Rebecca Knox is looking damn well these days.

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

the groutch wrote: »

Shelton Benjamin, a seriously wasted talent

First person that came to mind.

starviewadams

Charisteas wrote: »

lol yeah, Steiner has to be the only guy to win the WHC at a Royal Rumble, headline the next PPV before the Wrestlemania, and then not actually appear on the Wrestlemania card 4 weeks later. Must have done something to pi$$ of Trips.

Another pick from me would be The British Bulldog.

Steiner never won the WHC when he returned in 2003,he won at the rumble by DQ and then lost to Triple H at No Way Out.

Pretty sure Lashley would be a multiple time World Champ by now if he had of hung around,I for one am glad he didn't,he was basically a slightly better in ring version of Cena,but way more annoying on the mic.

I was certain that heel MVP after his feud with Matt Hardy,would go on to win the WWE or World Championships.Think his attitude backstage got the better of him though.

flahavaj

the groutch wrote: »

Shelton Benjamin, a seriously wasted talent

What traits did Benjamin have that make you think he'd be a World Champion? Apart from being good at jumping onto ladders? He's such a black hole of charisma they had to hire a fat aul wan to be his mother to make him somewhat interesting.:pac:

X-Division Champion maybe. World Champion - not a hope in hell.

steelcityblues

flahavaj wrote: »

What traits did Benjamin have that make you think he'd be a World Champion? Apart from being good at jumping onto ladders? He's such a black hole of charisma they had to hire a fat aul wan to be his mother to make him somewhat interesting.:pac:

X-Division Champion maybe. World Champion - not a hope in hell.

That is the problem with Vince at times though - you can be Steamboat, Angle and Dynamite Kid rolled into one, but if you don't have what he perceives as charisma, you probably won't win the big one.

Benjamin's match with Shawn on RAW was easily one of the best of the last decade.

Charisteas

flahavaj wrote: »

What traits did Benjamin have that make you think he'd be a World Champion? Apart from being good at jumping onto ladders? He's such a black hole of charisma they had to hire a fat aul wan to be his mother to make him somewhat interesting.:pac:

X-Division Champion maybe. World Champion - not a hope in hell.

I thought you were going somewhere else with the sentence when the first line of text ended with 'he's such a black'

Personally I never saw Benjamin as a World Champion either back in the mid 00's, due in small part to his lack of charisma, but also the roster in 2004/5 then was pretty strong.

With the being said though, they may have had plans at one stage to elevate him into main event level as he had a lengthy feud with Evolution, beating Ric Flair and HHH a few times.

But if he returned today and was placed on Smackdown, I really think he would be in the main event picture or thereabouts with a great shot at actually winning the WHC, and think of the great matches he would have with Orton and Christian.

flahavaj

steelcityblues wrote: »

That is the problem with Vince at times though - you can be Steamboat, Angle and Dynamite Kid rolled into one, but if you don't have what he perceives as charisma, you probably won't win the big one.

Benjamin's match with Shawn on RAW was easily one of the best of the last decade.

But charisma is vital to being a world champion. its all well and good being able to have excellent matches and there's a place on the card fopr that. But to be World Champ you have to have a connectio with the crowd and have the ability to make them care about your matches - see Sunday night for a perfect example.

Benjamin was a gvreat athelete and good fopr some jaw dropping spots but he never connected with the audience, he never mad epeople care about him. He was a good mid carder or even a seconfary champ, but he was nowhere near World Champ material.

flahavaj

Charisteas wrote: »

I thought you were going somewhere else with the sentence when the first line of text ended with 'he's such a black'

Personally I never saw Benjamin as a World Champion either back in the mid 00's, due in small part to his lack of charisma, but also the roster in 2004/5 then was pretty strong.

With the being said though, they may have had plans at one stage to elevate him into main event level as he had a lengthy feud with Evolution, beating Ric Flair and HHH a few times.

But if he returned today and was placed on Smackdown, I really think he would be in the main event picture or thereabouts with a great shot at actually winning the WHC, and think of the great matches he would have with Orton and Christian.

Having great matches has never been high on the list of criteria Vince wants from his World Champs.

Its not as if he couldn't have great matches with Orton/Christiam without been the champion.

I don't remember him cutting a a decent promo ever really.

steelcityblues

flahavaj wrote: »

But charisma is vital to being a world champion. its all well and good being able to have excellent matches and there's a place on the card fopr that. But to be World Champ you have to have a connectio with the crowd and have the ability to make them care about your matches - see Sunday night for a perfect example.

Benjamin was a gvreat athelete and good fopr some jaw dropping spots but he never connected with the audience, he never mad epeople care about him. He was a good mid carder or even a seconfary champ, but he was nowhere near World Champ material.

That charisma deficit, Chris Benoit, still got his title reign in 2004 (and rightly so).

Benjamin was getting excellent crowd heat back around 2004.

Granted, the RAW roster was very strong at the time with HHH, Shawn, Benoit, Orton, Batista etc, so that didn't help him get through to the next level.

flahavaj

steelcityblues wrote: »

That charisma deficit, Chris Benoit, still got his title reign in 2004 (and rightly so).

Benoit was one of the exceptions that proves the rule and he lasted 2 months before it was taken off him again. Wrestlers that have poor charisma don't make good champions.

I would also contend that Benoit, despite his relatively poor charisma was over to an extent (and got crowd reactions and support) that Benjamin could only dream of. The aidience saw him as a star to a greater level than they ever did of Shelton.

steelcityblues

flahavaj wrote: »

Benoit was one of the exceptions that proves the rule and he lasted 2 months before it was taken off him again. Wrestlers that have poor charisma don't make good champions.

I would also contend that Benoit, despite his relatively poor charisma was over to an extent (and got crowd reactions and support) that Benjamin could only dream of. The aidience saw him as a star to a greater level than they ever did of Shelton.

Benoit was a great wrestler, but I remember so many RAW's and Smack Down's outside of Canada - and the big cities on the East coast - where the crowd response was virtually non-existent.

Not saying Shelton was getting the best pops you ever heard back then, but they were still decent.

Didn't pick him as one of my potential champs though, because even then I could tell he didn't quite meet Vince's criteria.

starviewadams

flahavaj wrote: »

Benoit was one of the exceptions that proves the rule and he lasted 2 months before it was taken off him again. Wrestlers that have poor charisma don't make good champions.

I would also contend that Benoit, despite his relatively poor charisma was over to an extent (and got crowd reactions and support) that Benjamin could only dream of. The aidience saw him as a star to a greater level than they ever did of Shelton.

Chris Benoit was champion for nearly 5 months on Raw in 2004,a good reign by modern standards.

flahavaj

starviewadams wrote: »

Chris Benoit was champion for nearly 5 months on Raw in 2004,a good reign by modern standards.

Why did I thik it was two months, sorry.
Nonetheless I wtill maintain he was a much bigger star in the eyes of the audience than Benjamin ever was.

I never saw Benjamin get the reaction Benoit did after the match with Angle at the Royal Rumble. He was very popular, and widely respected for a long career having great matches hes at, or near the top of the card. There's no comparison really. Benoit deserved his run at the top after making every else look good for years. Shelton didn't.

cena

Big boss man

steelcityblues

flahavaj wrote: »

Why did I thik it was two months, sorry.
Nonetheless I wtill maintain he was a much bigger star in the eyes of the audience than Benjamin ever was.

I never saw Benjamin get the reaction Benoit did after the match with Angle at the Royal Rumble. He was very popular, and widely respected for a long career having great matches hes at, or near the top of the card. There's no comparison really. Benoit deserved his run at the top after making every else look good for years. Shelton didn't.

Fair enough, but in terms of mass appeal, Benoit was still a big step down from Austin, Rock, HHH, Taker, Angle. Maybe behind fellow Canadian Jericho too in that case.

Benoit was more of a smark cult hero, but nothing wrong with that.

Still, the man took part in some of the best matches I have ever seen, matches that WWE pretend never existed. :rolleyes:

the groutch

would agree that Benjamin wasn't the greatest at cutting promos, but he definitely seemed to be pretty over with the fans, just was unlucky to come to prominence at a time when there were too many others already being pushed.

sky88

with benoit i always got the feeling that even the casual fans recognised how great of a wrestler he was and respected him so he got great pops from casual and hardcore fans whereas shelton was a great athlete just no where near benoit wrestling ability

Rjd2

Deleted User wrote: »

After he had been in WWE for around a year I was certain MVP was going to be the next big "superstar" and future world champion.

This.

Always thought their would have been serious money in a Cena v heel MVP Feud.

flahavaj

steelcityblues wrote: »

Fair enough, but in terms of mass appeal, Benoit was still a big step down from Austin, Rock, HHH, Taker, Angle. Maybe behind fellow Canadian Jericho too in that case.

Benoit was more of a smark cult hero, but nothing wrong with that.

Still, the man took part in some of the best matches I have ever seen, matches that WWE pretend never existed. :rolleyes:

Its also worth pointing out Benout was an all time great in terms of pure wrestling abvility. Even your non-smart fan could tell that.

Benjamin on the other hand is a glorified spot monkey and nowhere near the calibre of Benoit. Even if you took charisma out of it and based your World Title on pure wrestling ability I still wouldn't have Benjaimin as a top contender. He's all style but little substance.

Eire-Dearg

Last I can remember of Benjamin (didn't watch much in his last years) is a black dude with blonde hair, who was very average on the mic.

Benoit will always be a legend in my eyes.

Rjd2

What are the great Shelton Benjamin matches he has had over the years that did not involve him falling of a ladder

Bounty Hunter

Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Ted "The Million Dollar Man" Dibiase & "Hotrod" Roddy Piper were the first three to spring to mind. They were from an era where there where a lot less champions but all were def deserving of the belt.

Others (most likely all mentioned already) were Owen Hart, Mr Perfect & The British Bulldog, although if im honest I didnt expect the first two to become champs at the time (even if maybe I thought they deserved it) as with only 1 heavyweight championship at the time they seemed like ideal IC champions.

In more recent times Muhammad Hassan was just getting to the stage where I thought he would have to be a future champion when it all went wrong for him and the WWE which was a crying shame.

I never thought Benjamin would be a HW champ tbh. He's great in the ring but yes had little to no charisma and for me was placed correctly in the mid card where hopefully he could make others look good while they are elevated to where his lack of mic skills meant he couldnt get to.

After his feud over the US title I did think MVP would be elevatedd to atleast being a genuine WHC contender on SD.

I actually never rated Kennedy as much as most at the time but yes i kinda expected him to get a big push and eventually become a WHC becuase thats what we heard was going to happen on numerous occasions (each of which obviously got messed up for different reasons) and cos he can talk.

Lashley I must admit when his push started I assumed would be a future world champion but because of (off the top of my head) his girlfriend / Hayes "Black Lesnar" etc that all went sideways fast.

a year ago and most people would be saying Christian in this thread

Moist Bread

flahavaj wrote: »

Benjamin on the other hand is a glorified spot monkey and nowhere near the calibre of Benoit. Even if you took charisma out of it and based your World Title on pure wrestling ability I still wouldn't have Benjaimin as a top contender. He's all style but little substance.

I think you are doing him a disservice calling him a glorified spot monkey. Just because he wasn't at Benoit's level doesn't mean he was a poor worker. I agree with your point that he would not have made a good WWE Champion though. He is the sort of guy you keep in the mid card and make your top guys look good when needed.