Four WWE fan favorites who will never get a lengthy main roster title run

As a seasoned gamer with decades of wrestling fandom under my belt, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness when reflecting on the careers of some truly exceptional performers who have yet to receive their due recognition from the WWE. The roster is indeed stacked, but it seems that not everyone gets their shot at glory.

On WWE’s various brands, there’s an abundance of talented performers, with SmackDown and Monday Night Raw being the “main stages” where top stars shine each week. Given the high caliber of talent on these two shows, it can be challenging for every gifted artist to ascend to the peak and claim a championship title. Even if they do attain a main event championship, some individuals may not be perceived as the primary figures to spearhead the company’s growth. Here are four names that fans would love to see have an extended reign as a formidable champion on the WWE main roster:

For this list, we’re focusing on individuals who have not held the main championship title on WWE Raw or SmackDown for an extended period (less than 150 days), or who have not been the primary champions in these shows at any point. Some notable examples are Kevin Owens, Kofi Kingston, Big E, Naomi, and others who had long reigns but were never given a prominent role. The following four names did not get that chance, and despite their popularity among fans, it’s unlikely they will ever have their runs as champions.

Shayna Baszler

Shayna Baszler is undeniably one of the most authentic performers within the WWE. Although Brock Lesnar’s reputation as a skilled mixed martial artist is widespread, Baszler was a pioneer in that field. She competed when women were barred from major organizations, yet managed to establish herself at the pinnacle. In contrast to Lesnar, who joined a significant company directly, Baszler honed her skills on the independent wrestling circuit before making her mark. Today, she is recognized as one of the most influential “shooters” in women’s wrestling.

As a die-hard fan, I shared Becky Lynch’s desire to pass the championship to Shayna Baszler during their WrestleMania clash. Regrettably, that dream didn’t materialize. Since then, Baszler hasn’t regained her momentum, yet she possesses the potential to be one of the most formidable forces in women’s wrestling today.

Shinsuke Nakamura

Shinsuke Nakamura is often seen as an instance where the WWE failed to maximize the potential of a skilled performer from another wrestling company. At one point, Nakamura was globally acknowledged as among the top wrestlers on the planet, and he was respected accordingly. However, since his arrival at WWE, particularly after moving to the main roster, this level of recognition seems to have diminished.

In various instances, Nakamura has been the holder of secondary titles, yet he hasn’t managed to claim the ultimate championship. Interestingly, he triumphed at the Royal Rumble event, however, lost the title match at WrestleMania that year. Coincidentally, this was also the year Asuka emerged victorious in the Women’s Royal Rumble, only to be defeated by Charlotte Flair later on the same day. At present, Nakamura is back with SmackDown after a prolonged break, but it appears unlikely that he will ascend to the position of top champion within the company.

Kairi Sane

Kairi Sane is widely recognized as one of the world’s top female wrestlers. Her achievements outside of the WWE, such as winning numerous prestigious titles in Stardom and becoming the inaugural IWGP Women’s Champion, are testament to this fact. However, despite her impressive career, which could easily earn her a spot in the Wrestling Hall of Fame, Sane will never hold the women’s top title on Raw or SmackDown.

As a gamer speaking about the world of professional wrestling, I’ve noticed that opportunities seem scarce in the women’s division compared to the men’s. Even though there are two titles for both divisions, it feels like the women’s division lacks storylines beyond title contention, which makes it challenging for anyone to climb up the ladder. Unfortunately, names like Sane are often overshadowed by those considered more vital by the WWE, keeping her from grabbing a championship of her own.

Finn Balor

It’s painful to include Finn Balor on this roster due to his significant history with the WWE Universal Championship. Tragically, a shoulder injury occurred during his match against Seth Rollins at WWE SummerSlam 2016, which led him to lose the title just 24 hours after receiving it. Not only did he surrender the belt, but he also lost the momentum that had been accumulated during his time in NXT. To this day, nearly a decade later, that momentum seems yet to be regained.

Balor is precisely the kind of person who could excel as a WWE Championship contender on the main stage. He possesses an ideal physique, ring skills, and charisma that the company values highly. Regrettably, numerous others have managed to surpass him in the spotlight throughout his career. Despite his enduring popularity, it’s extremely challenging for WWE to present him as a credible champion given how his career has unfolded thus far.

2024-11-23 18:15

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