Becoming the WWE Champion is a significant achievement for any professional wrestler, marking the pinnacle of success that only a select few reach. Every wrestler in the organization aims to capture this top spot, yet only one or two wrestlers can hold the title at a time, depending on the number of championships available.
Wrestlers earn their push to world champion status for various reasons—charisma, fan connection, or merchandise sales. However, WWE fans expect that a world champion can consistently deliver high-quality matches. While performers like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels have met these expectations, some WWE World Champions have fallen short in in-ring performance.
The Miz
The Miz has been a dependable WWE performer, known for exceptional promos and the ability to generate strong crowd reactions. Though he has had notable matches, many were just average, which is not ideal for a WWE Champion. His second title reign showed some progress, but it was too brief to impress. His defenses during the first reign were unexciting, neither thrilling nor disappointing.
The Fiend
The Fiend, portrayed by Bray Wyatt, stands out as one of the most unique champions, with an intricately crafted character ranging from the creepy Firefly Funhouse to his monster persona. Despite Wyatt’s talent and power, the character was difficult to translate during matches. The Fiend’s monster gimmick complicated his in-ring style, leading to underwhelming matches, even against skilled wrestlers like Seth Rollins.
Sergeant Slaughter
Sergeant Slaughter was a captivating figure who earned his WWE Championship status due to his strong promo work and fan response. However, his matches were slow and methodical, lacking excitement by fan standards. As champion, his in-ring performance was dull, despite having the qualities to be a significant player if he had been more dynamic.
Jey Uso
Many never expected Jey Uso to become a world champion, but his rising popularity led Triple H to push him to the top. He’s charismatic yet one-dimensional in the ring, often repeating the same moves like superkicks. His stamina issues frequently hampered his performance during crucial matches.
Psycho Sid
Psycho Sid’s impressive physique and powerful moves made him dominant during his peak. Vince McMahon gave him two WWE Championship reigns, elevating his status. Nonetheless, Sid’s mobility was limited, and unlike larger wrestlers like The Undertaker, he relied heavily on his opponents, resulting in less thrilling matches.
Ultimate Warrior
The Ultimate Warrior is infamous for being one of the least skilled wrestlers to achieve main event status in WWE. In an era favoring muscular wrestlers, his eccentric personality and face paint drew all-age audiences. Yet, his move set was limited, and he lacked the technical ability to perform well, especially against less skilled opponents.
Goldberg
Goldberg was a major star during the Monday Night War and a dominant WCW figure due to his undefeated aura and monster push. His WWE title reigns were boosted by his star power, but his in-ring style was simplistic, with a limited move set that declined as he aged. Short, intense matches against strong opponents suited him best.
Jinder Mahal
Jinder Mahal’s WWE Championship win shocked many, as he spent much of his career as a mid-card or enhancement talent. His improved physique helped him reach the top, but his slow, methodical in-ring style, filled with rest holds, didn’t meet fans’ expectations for faster-paced fights.
Vince McMahon
Few recall that Vince McMahon briefly held the WWE Championship, a title he largely reserved for himself. Known for his entertaining presence and promo skills, his in-ring ability was very limited due to age. He gave his all but never reached the wrestling proficiency expected of a world champion.
The Great Khali
The Great Khali was a powerful monster heel due to his imposing size, heavily promoted upon his arrival. However, his limited mobility and stationary move set made his matches slow and often uninteresting, resulting in a poor world champion tenure.
Fan Take:
This analysis highlights how WWE’s choice of champions isn’t always about pure wrestling skill but also charisma, marketability, and storytelling ability. For fans, understanding this balance is crucial as it shapes the future direction of WWE and the evolution of professional wrestling as a sport and entertainment spectacle.
