20. Stone Cold wins the WWF Title – WM17
Stone Cold! Stone Cold! Stone Cold! When Stone Cold got injured in 1999, it was probably some of the worst news WWE or WWF at the time ever heard. Stone Cold was on the shelf for about a year and when he came back, he obviously wanted the WWF Title. He was able to win his 3rd Royal Rumble match in 2001 and after The Rock won the title at No Way Out, the mega match was set for the greatest Wrestlemania ever. Both guys need the win. Stone Cold to solidify his return from career ending injury. The Rock to prove that he was the absolute best. Something had to give in their main event match. The promo package for the match is the greatest in WWE history. It was made in a No DQ match at the last second and it was a great move. Rock and Austin were able to have a great match that embodied everything that the Attitude Era was all about. Vince McMahon came out and in a major shocker, gave Stone Cold a steel chair to beat The Rock with. Austin pummeled Rock with that chair and afterwards, covered him and won the WWF Title. Afterwards, Vince and Austin shook hands, something NEVER before done, at least, not without Austin turning on McMahon right away. It was a surreal moment. For the past three years, these two were the bane of each other and to see them join forces was something else. It also showed how truly desperate Austin was to get one more reign with the title. He was willing to make a deal with Satan himself. It was awesome and something different, which is always a good thing.
Stone Cold! Stone Cold! Stone Cold! When Stone Cold got injured in 1999, it was probably some of the worst news WWE or WWF at the time ever heard. Stone Cold was on the shelf for about a year and when he came back, he obviously wanted the WWF Title. He was able to win his 3rd Royal Rumble match in 2001 and after The Rock won the title at No Way Out, the mega match was set for the greatest Wrestlemania ever. Both guys need the win. Stone Cold to solidify his return from career ending injury. The Rock to prove that he was the absolute best. Something had to give in their main event match. The promo package for the match is the greatest in WWE history. It was made in a No DQ match at the last second and it was a great move. Rock and Austin were able to have a great match that embodied everything that the Attitude Era was all about. Vince McMahon came out and in a major shocker, gave Stone Cold a steel chair to beat The Rock with. Austin pummeled Rock with that chair and afterwards, covered him and won the WWF Title. Afterwards, Vince and Austin shook hands, something NEVER before done, at least, not without Austin turning on McMahon right away. It was a surreal moment. For the past three years, these two were the bane of each other and to see them join forces was something else. It also showed how truly desperate Austin was to get one more reign with the title. He was willing to make a deal with Satan himself. It was awesome and something different, which is always a good thing.
19. JBL wins the WWE Title – GAB 2004
I hate to this say this but 13 year old me was not a fan of the Eddie Guerrero title switch. I'm sorry! He beat Brock Lesnar! I was a huge Lesnar guy then so I was devastated. Then he had the nerve to beat Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania! Another one of my favorites, beaten! Guerrero was beating them all! Anyway, Bradshaw, now known as John Bradshaw Layfield, was making his rise on the Smackdown roster and would soon clash with Guerrero. Their first encounter was very memorable as a vicious chair shot would split Eddie's head in two and he literally leaked blood ALL OVER the ring. Eddie got DQed in this match so they had to have a rematch at the next PPV. It was a Texas Bull Rope match, the first in some time in WWE. While it looked to many that Eddie had won the match, Smackdown General Manager Kurt Angle would reverse the decision, as JBL had hit the last turnbuckle first. This decision would award JBL with his first and only World Title; the WWE Title. JBL was a tag team guy through and through but when he finally got his shot to go solo, he made it count. JBL had a reign of 280 days, where he beat guys like Guerrero, The Undertaker, Booker T and Big Show in PPV matches, even beating three of those guys in a Fatal Four Way. He was in Last Ride and Barbed Wire Steel Cages matches along the way. JBL was a great champion and one that I was really glad won the title, and not only because he ended Guerrero's reign either!
I hate to this say this but 13 year old me was not a fan of the Eddie Guerrero title switch. I'm sorry! He beat Brock Lesnar! I was a huge Lesnar guy then so I was devastated. Then he had the nerve to beat Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania! Another one of my favorites, beaten! Guerrero was beating them all! Anyway, Bradshaw, now known as John Bradshaw Layfield, was making his rise on the Smackdown roster and would soon clash with Guerrero. Their first encounter was very memorable as a vicious chair shot would split Eddie's head in two and he literally leaked blood ALL OVER the ring. Eddie got DQed in this match so they had to have a rematch at the next PPV. It was a Texas Bull Rope match, the first in some time in WWE. While it looked to many that Eddie had won the match, Smackdown General Manager Kurt Angle would reverse the decision, as JBL had hit the last turnbuckle first. This decision would award JBL with his first and only World Title; the WWE Title. JBL was a tag team guy through and through but when he finally got his shot to go solo, he made it count. JBL had a reign of 280 days, where he beat guys like Guerrero, The Undertaker, Booker T and Big Show in PPV matches, even beating three of those guys in a Fatal Four Way. He was in Last Ride and Barbed Wire Steel Cages matches along the way. JBL was a great champion and one that I was really glad won the title, and not only because he ended Guerrero's reign either!
18. Brock Lesnar wins the WWE Title - SummerSlam 2002
The Next Big Thing. Nobody in history had a better start to their careers than Brock Lesnar. This guy was literally pushed to the top in such a short amount of time. He debuted in March 2002 and won the title in August 2002. There's not a lot of guys who can say they won the WWE Title in their rookie year. Ric Flair, Yokozuna, Kurt Angle and Sheamus are just the few but Lesnar had to be the most dominant one of them all. Lesnar tore through the roster and won the King of the Ring tournament to earn a shot at the WWE Title. Before he would face the champ, The Rock, Lesnar destroyed Hulk Hogan, destroyed him like I never seen before. It was brutal. At SummerSlam 2002, 25 year old Brock Lesnar would get his shot at the title, taking on one of the greatest champions in WWE history, The Rock. Lesnar showed his true power in his first PPV main event and as The Rock was on his way out to film another movie, the crowd turned on him. With the crowd behind him, Lesnar was able to land the momentous F5 and become the youngest WWE Champion in history, a record that title hold today. Not World Heavyweight Champion, WWE Champion. Lesnar was shot to the top and for good reason. The guy looked like a superstar, he was a complete beast in the ring and he had Paul Heyman as his mouthpiece. This guy was everything so winning the title so fast was needed and look what it did for his career in the long run. Great title change here.
The Next Big Thing. Nobody in history had a better start to their careers than Brock Lesnar. This guy was literally pushed to the top in such a short amount of time. He debuted in March 2002 and won the title in August 2002. There's not a lot of guys who can say they won the WWE Title in their rookie year. Ric Flair, Yokozuna, Kurt Angle and Sheamus are just the few but Lesnar had to be the most dominant one of them all. Lesnar tore through the roster and won the King of the Ring tournament to earn a shot at the WWE Title. Before he would face the champ, The Rock, Lesnar destroyed Hulk Hogan, destroyed him like I never seen before. It was brutal. At SummerSlam 2002, 25 year old Brock Lesnar would get his shot at the title, taking on one of the greatest champions in WWE history, The Rock. Lesnar showed his true power in his first PPV main event and as The Rock was on his way out to film another movie, the crowd turned on him. With the crowd behind him, Lesnar was able to land the momentous F5 and become the youngest WWE Champion in history, a record that title hold today. Not World Heavyweight Champion, WWE Champion. Lesnar was shot to the top and for good reason. The guy looked like a superstar, he was a complete beast in the ring and he had Paul Heyman as his mouthpiece. This guy was everything so winning the title so fast was needed and look what it did for his career in the long run. Great title change here.
17. Randy Orton wins the Intercontinental Title – Armageddon 2003
While some guys had a quick rise like Lesnar, there were other guys like Randy Orton that was built on for a couple of years. Joining the group Evolution in 2003, Randy Orton made the best of his opportunity to be under the great Ric Flair and Triple H. He would get dubbed the moniker, The Legend Killer which meant he was prone to taking out WWE legends. People like Sgt. Slaughter, Fablous Moolah and even Harley Race fell victim to Orton, either by getting his with a RKO or being disrespected by the kid. Orton was only 23 at the time and was learning all he could. After beating Shawn Michaels and helping his team eradicate Stoen Cold from the General Manager spot on Raw, Eric Bischoff gave Orton a favor of his choice. Orton chose to be granted an Intercontinental Title match. The match would take place at Armageddon 2003 against veteran IC Champ Rob Van Dam. This was Orton's first shot at the title and he made the most of it. In a great wrestling match and with Mick Foley, Orton's arch rival, as the special guest referee, Randy Orton planted a vicious RKO on RVD and covered him for the 1-2-3 and the Intercontinental Title. Many great stars have won the IC Title before going on to win a World Title. Guys like Bret Hart, Stone Cold, The Rock, the list goes on. Randy Orton was another one of those guys and he really built himself up while holding this title. This is one of those passing of the torch title wins as Orton would win plenty more titles in his career. There may be one more Orton appearance on this list....And this title change could also include the whole Evolution as they all won titles on this night.
16. Christian wins the World Heavyweight Title – Extreme Rules 2011
When Christian went to TNA, or as WWE will tell you, when he went on his vacation, he was able to win the NWA World Title two different times. When he came back to WWE, he won the ECW Title and held it for the longest in the history of the title's reigns but the big World Title always eluded Christian. I thought WWE were going to do a big Edge/Christian feud in 2011 but once Edge announced his retirement, those dreams went up in smoke. Instead, Christian would win a chance to face the #1 contender for the title, Alberto Del Rio, at Extreme Rules. They would compete in Christian's specialty, the Ladder match. With his best friend looking on, Christian was able to capture the title and share a special moment with Edge. It was a really well done and deserving moment for Christian who had always been in Edge's shadow. The crowd was behind the decision as well and it was definitely the feel good moment of the year. While it only lasted TWO DAYS, it was still one of the more deserving title changes on the list. My favorite part is of this is Christian's reaction. He was so happy to win the title, as was I. The guy truly deserved it.
When Christian went to TNA, or as WWE will tell you, when he went on his vacation, he was able to win the NWA World Title two different times. When he came back to WWE, he won the ECW Title and held it for the longest in the history of the title's reigns but the big World Title always eluded Christian. I thought WWE were going to do a big Edge/Christian feud in 2011 but once Edge announced his retirement, those dreams went up in smoke. Instead, Christian would win a chance to face the #1 contender for the title, Alberto Del Rio, at Extreme Rules. They would compete in Christian's specialty, the Ladder match. With his best friend looking on, Christian was able to capture the title and share a special moment with Edge. It was a really well done and deserving moment for Christian who had always been in Edge's shadow. The crowd was behind the decision as well and it was definitely the feel good moment of the year. While it only lasted TWO DAYS, it was still one of the more deserving title changes on the list. My favorite part is of this is Christian's reaction. He was so happy to win the title, as was I. The guy truly deserved it.
15. Kane wins the World Heavyweight Title – Money in the Bank 2010
Kane had already won the WWF Title in 1998, a little more than 7 months after his debut. The reign was only for a day. Kane would win the ECW Title 10 years after his debut but it was the ECW Title, not a real World Title. Kane has been one of the most faithful superstars in the history of the WWE. He just does things with no questions asked. You want me to team with X-Pac? Sure thing. You want me to pretend to have a dead girlfriend? I'm down. You don't want to give me a World Title run in 12 years? Alright, where do I sign? Kane always deserved better and when he was in a storyline to find out who put his brother The Undertaker, I wouldn't have thought that it would lead to a World Title run but it did. Kane was entered into the Smackdown Money in the Bank match at the first ever MITB PPV. After laying waste to everyone in the match, Kane was able to secure the briefcase on his fourth time in the match. Kane wasted no time and after Mysterio was able to defeat Jack Swagger, Kane would come down with a referee and cash in his contract. After a vicious chokeslam and a Tombstone Piledriver, Kane captured the World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his career. You want to talk about a guy who deserved it? Kane truly needed this win and he did great in his World Title position. You guys remember he beat The Undertaker three straight times in three different match types right? Kane excelled in his World Title reign and it was one that should have happened years ago.
Kane had already won the WWF Title in 1998, a little more than 7 months after his debut. The reign was only for a day. Kane would win the ECW Title 10 years after his debut but it was the ECW Title, not a real World Title. Kane has been one of the most faithful superstars in the history of the WWE. He just does things with no questions asked. You want me to team with X-Pac? Sure thing. You want me to pretend to have a dead girlfriend? I'm down. You don't want to give me a World Title run in 12 years? Alright, where do I sign? Kane always deserved better and when he was in a storyline to find out who put his brother The Undertaker, I wouldn't have thought that it would lead to a World Title run but it did. Kane was entered into the Smackdown Money in the Bank match at the first ever MITB PPV. After laying waste to everyone in the match, Kane was able to secure the briefcase on his fourth time in the match. Kane wasted no time and after Mysterio was able to defeat Jack Swagger, Kane would come down with a referee and cash in his contract. After a vicious chokeslam and a Tombstone Piledriver, Kane captured the World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his career. You want to talk about a guy who deserved it? Kane truly needed this win and he did great in his World Title position. You guys remember he beat The Undertaker three straight times in three different match types right? Kane excelled in his World Title reign and it was one that should have happened years ago.
14.
Trish Stratus is the greatest women's wrestler ever. There, I said it. While I can't argue with Fabulous Moolah's 30 year title reign, there's just something about Trish Stratus that I love. When the reports were coming through that Trish was preparing to retire in the coming months, I was heartbroken. Trish was like the leader for the women, how could she leave? How could she not? She accomplished everything possible in WWE at that point. 6 time Women's Champion, Diva of the Decade, etc. She wanted to retire on top so after Lita broke the news of Trish retiring, their feud would culminate at Unforgiven 2006, which took place in Toronto, Trish's hometown. She was given a hero's welcome and was able to put on one more great match with her greatest rival Lita. In the end, since they were in Canada, Trish locked in the Sharpshooter on Lita and forced her to submit, giving Trish her 7th and final Women's Title. It was a move that we all saw coming but it was still a very emotional title change. Trish was the best woman they had in the company since 2002 and to see her leave on top just made sense. It was even better than it was in Toronto against her greatest rival Lita. Everything just fell into place and the world was right for it.
Trish Stratus is the greatest women's wrestler ever. There, I said it. While I can't argue with Fabulous Moolah's 30 year title reign, there's just something about Trish Stratus that I love. When the reports were coming through that Trish was preparing to retire in the coming months, I was heartbroken. Trish was like the leader for the women, how could she leave? How could she not? She accomplished everything possible in WWE at that point. 6 time Women's Champion, Diva of the Decade, etc. She wanted to retire on top so after Lita broke the news of Trish retiring, their feud would culminate at Unforgiven 2006, which took place in Toronto, Trish's hometown. She was given a hero's welcome and was able to put on one more great match with her greatest rival Lita. In the end, since they were in Canada, Trish locked in the Sharpshooter on Lita and forced her to submit, giving Trish her 7th and final Women's Title. It was a move that we all saw coming but it was still a very emotional title change. Trish was the best woman they had in the company since 2002 and to see her leave on top just made sense. It was even better than it was in Toronto against her greatest rival Lita. Everything just fell into place and the world was right for it.
13. CM Punk wins the World Heavyweight Title - Extreme Rules 2009
CM Punk had already won the Money in the Bank briefcase and the World Title the year before but, the way it ended wasn't the best. Punk didn't even compete in the match where he lost the title, instead, losing it due to an injury angle the night of the PPV. Fast forward to Wrestlemania 25 and CM Punk got another chance as he would win the Money in the Bank for the 2nd straight time. Punk wouldn't wait too long before using his opportunity. After a Ladder match between Jeff Hardy and Edge, Hardy was able to defeat Edge to win his first World Heavyweight Championship. The refs were getting the ladders out of the ring while JR was getting ready to interview Hardy. All of a sudden, Punk's music hit and he came down to cash in the contract. Punk quickly hit a GTS and Hardy kicked out. Punk tried again, got rolled up for a close 2 count. Punk would not be denied and used a quick kick, and another GTS to finally win the World Title. The crowd was indifferent to the change. Many were happy Hardy was finally champion again and saw Punk as a villain for ruining his moment. Many were Punk fans who were happy the change happened. I'm apart of the latter and I'm glad Punk did it here. Not only did it lead to a great summer feud between Punk and Hardy, it led to a better character for CM Punk. Punk turned heel during the feud and would start his Straight Edge preaching gimmick, which would eventually lead to his cult like leadership and group, the Straight Edge Society. It wouldn't have been possible if Punk didn't first win the World Title at Extreme Rules 2009. And looking back on it, it was a great decision for the career of CM Punk that would eventually lead to his biggest title victory in the coming years.
CM Punk had already won the Money in the Bank briefcase and the World Title the year before but, the way it ended wasn't the best. Punk didn't even compete in the match where he lost the title, instead, losing it due to an injury angle the night of the PPV. Fast forward to Wrestlemania 25 and CM Punk got another chance as he would win the Money in the Bank for the 2nd straight time. Punk wouldn't wait too long before using his opportunity. After a Ladder match between Jeff Hardy and Edge, Hardy was able to defeat Edge to win his first World Heavyweight Championship. The refs were getting the ladders out of the ring while JR was getting ready to interview Hardy. All of a sudden, Punk's music hit and he came down to cash in the contract. Punk quickly hit a GTS and Hardy kicked out. Punk tried again, got rolled up for a close 2 count. Punk would not be denied and used a quick kick, and another GTS to finally win the World Title. The crowd was indifferent to the change. Many were happy Hardy was finally champion again and saw Punk as a villain for ruining his moment. Many were Punk fans who were happy the change happened. I'm apart of the latter and I'm glad Punk did it here. Not only did it lead to a great summer feud between Punk and Hardy, it led to a better character for CM Punk. Punk turned heel during the feud and would start his Straight Edge preaching gimmick, which would eventually lead to his cult like leadership and group, the Straight Edge Society. It wouldn't have been possible if Punk didn't first win the World Title at Extreme Rules 2009. And looking back on it, it was a great decision for the career of CM Punk that would eventually lead to his biggest title victory in the coming years.
12. Jeff Hardy wins the WWE Title – Armageddon 2008
Jeff Hardy was always on the precipice of greatness, but was never given any runs with the World or WWE Titles in WWE. It might have been due to drug problems as the time I thought they were going to pull the trigger on Hardy was at Wrestlemania 24, where he was apart of the MITB match. Weeks before though, he faced another suspension and was taken out of the match. He was easily the favorite to win the match. After the suspension, he was always around the WWE Title, competing for it at three straight PPVs for the title but he was unsuccessful at each attempt. He was scheduled to compete at Survivor Series but was taken out by a returning Edge at a hotel. Storyline wise obviously. After a year of battling for the title and personal issues, it came down to the final PPV of year, which featured new champion Edge, former champion Triple H and Jeff Hardy. It was a great match and after Triple H hit a Pedigree on Edge and went for the cover, Hardy hit a Swanton Bomb out of nowhere, pinned Edge and won the WWE Championship for the very first time. The crowd was obviously very behind the change and it was very deserving. It was like Hardy's redemption from the crazy year he had. Always a huge fan favorite, a run with the main championship was much deserved and although he beat two of my favorite wrestlers to win it, I can't hate on the decision. JR's words made the change even better. From daredevil to champion, from enigma to icon. Goosebumps, man. Much deserved.
11. Sasha Banks wins the NXT Women's Title - Takeover" RivalJeff Hardy was always on the precipice of greatness, but was never given any runs with the World or WWE Titles in WWE. It might have been due to drug problems as the time I thought they were going to pull the trigger on Hardy was at Wrestlemania 24, where he was apart of the MITB match. Weeks before though, he faced another suspension and was taken out of the match. He was easily the favorite to win the match. After the suspension, he was always around the WWE Title, competing for it at three straight PPVs for the title but he was unsuccessful at each attempt. He was scheduled to compete at Survivor Series but was taken out by a returning Edge at a hotel. Storyline wise obviously. After a year of battling for the title and personal issues, it came down to the final PPV of year, which featured new champion Edge, former champion Triple H and Jeff Hardy. It was a great match and after Triple H hit a Pedigree on Edge and went for the cover, Hardy hit a Swanton Bomb out of nowhere, pinned Edge and won the WWE Championship for the very first time. The crowd was obviously very behind the change and it was very deserving. It was like Hardy's redemption from the crazy year he had. Always a huge fan favorite, a run with the main championship was much deserved and although he beat two of my favorite wrestlers to win it, I can't hate on the decision. JR's words made the change even better. From daredevil to champion, from enigma to icon. Goosebumps, man. Much deserved.
What would this list be without The Boss? Yes, Sasha makes the list. I remember when I first started getting behind Sasha. Charlotte had just beat Bayley at Takeover Fatal Four Way and Sasha came out to beat up Bayley. Charlotte wasn't having none of that and got Banks off of her. Charlotte and Banks would start the best women's feud in WWE history and that's when I knew I wanted her to be champion. Her gimmick was so on point and her obvious love for her craft was evident. When she got her first shot against Charlotte at Takeover R Evolution, I was fully convinced of the future of women's wrestling. They tore down the roof of Full Sail and told an amazing story while doing so. Sasha was unsuccessful here and in a rematch on NXT a couple weeks later but she would not stop. At Takeover Rival, William Regal made a Fatal Four Way match between the Four Horsewomen of NXT, Charlotte defending against Sasha, Bayley and Becky Lynch. It was a great match and once again, my faith in the division was restored. In the end, it came down to how it started, between Charlotte and Sasha and after having Charlotte locked in the Banks Statement, she flipped her into a pinning combination and won the NXT Women's Championship. I popped hard for this in my living room and I was very happy to have another great woman win the title. For me, this was the first title change I saw in NXT where I saw someone grow and be deserving of the title. When I started watching NXT, Sasha's boss gimmick wasn't fully developed just yet and I watched each week as she came more into her own and eventually, win the title. So far, this was the biggest win of her career and it was such a deserving one. I'm just counting down the days to SummerSlam, so we can finally see the main roster title win for Sasha. Hopefully. Lord willing...
Next up, THE TOP TEN! Are you ready?!?!?
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