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Which AEW and WWE wrestlers were great champions?

BBG News

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of wrestling fandom under my belt, I’ve seen it all – from Hulkamania running wild to the Attitude Era, and everything in between. When it comes to champions who truly shone in their reigns, few can compare to Orange Cassidy, Bret Hart, and John Cena.

Previously, we discussed some pro wrestlers who shone in their pursuit of titles. Now, let’s shift focus to another group: Those who truly excelled when they donned championship belts.

Unlike title chasers who primarily offer fans an emotional outlet by watching someone conquer challenges, champions can have multiple roles. In certain situations, top champions who are popular heroes (babyfaces) in wrestling serve as a refreshing change from the previous villainous rule, fighting off various contenders like the weekly monster or murderer you’d encounter on TV, until the main antagonist finally emerges.

Lead characters can sometimes assume the role of the antagonists, ruling over storylines for extended periods before another main character takes center stage. No matter the situation, however, these leaders face the challenging task of keeping fans engaged week after week while simultaneously helping to boost their fellow wrestlers’ profiles.

So, which former champions from WWE and AEW meet this criteria? That’s what we’re here to discuss today.

Orange Cassidy

Upon Orange Cassidy’s entrance into All Elite Wrestling, there was a reasonable doubt about how his ‘lazy but not always’ wrestler persona would resonate with a wider audience. However, after delivering some impressive matches with the up-and-coming promotion, discussions began revolving around the possibility of him earning a legitimate championship title in AEW.

In October 2022, Cassidy seized the opportunity with the freshly established AEW International Championship (formerly known as the All-Atlantic Championship). Some fans might have written off this title as a secondary belt for a beloved wrestler, but an extraordinary event transpired instead.

Each week, Cassidy solidified episodes of AEW: Dynamite with exceptional defenses against numerous opponents, establishing himself as a top-tier wrestler worldwide. Moreover, his performance during his 326-day tenure significantly boosted the International Title’s status, making it the second-most prestigious men’s title in the company behind only the TNT Championship.

Over time, Cassidy’s title momentum escalated to a point where he faced off against the company’s top wrestler, Jon Moxley, in the main event at All Out 2023. Although he lost the bout, it served as evidence that Cassidy could hold his own as a headliner performer.

By the year 2024, Cassidy had nearly reached the AEW World Championship. Although he didn’t win, the mere chance of such an achievement underscores the impact of his efforts with the International Title.

Bret Hart

Fans often recognize Bret Hart by his nickname “The Excellence of Execution,” but this title goes beyond just his wrestling career.

Following a successful stint in WWF’s dynamic tag team division alongside Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Hart transitioned to the singles category in 1991. He launched his solo career with a bang by dethroning Mr. Perfect, who had held the Intercontinental Championship for 279 days, in an exceptional match during the SummerSlam event of that year.

Bret Hart initially held the championship for 143 days until his defeat by an unexpected opponent, The Mountie. He later reclaimed the title in another spectacular match at WrestleMania VIII, this time against fellow countryman Roddy Piper. Subsequently, he ruled as champion for another 145 days before losing the belt to The British Bulldog in one of the most legendary matches ever, during SummerSlam 1992.

After several months, Hart transitioned into the primary wrestling stage and dethroned Ric Flair as WWF Champion. This victory initiated an extended period of him holding the championship belt. Unfortunately, he is remembered for his defeat against Yokozuna at WrestleMania IX, a match that was followed by Hulk Hogan’s controversial political stunt. The following year, Hart encountered Yokozuna once more at WrestleMania, but this time Hart overcame the giant to secure his third world title reign, which lasted for 248 days, setting a new career record.

As a gamer, I’d say what stands out most isn’t the number of championship titles I’ve held, but the consistent theme throughout my reigns: In each one, I was portrayed as a hardcore wrestler, always ready to challenge the best opponents out there – essentially, a competitive athlete. This was quite a change from the flamboyant heroes that usually drove the show, but it resonated with fans due to my exceptional in-ring abilities.

Regardless of whether someone was as exceptional as the 1-2-3 Kid or not as skilled as Kevin Nash, Hart had an extraordinary ability to elevate his opponents, a quality that is indispensable for any leading babyface or heel. It’s unfortunate that WWE didn’t fully recognize Hart’s worth in this aspect, but the fans who watched him surely did.

John Cena

For over a decade, John Cena has been the main good guy in WWE, which implies he’s had just as much time pursuing titles as he has actually holding them. These experiences, whether as a title chaser or champion, have resulted in a variety of reactions, including positive and negative ones, for the future Hall of Famer.

All of John Cena’s attempts to claim a championship title have been challenged by an overwhelming feeling of predestination, and this same lack of surprise also limited his extended reigns as the world champion. However, amidst the haze of “Cena Wins Again”, it was clear that wrestling numerous experienced performers helped Cena evolve from a raw talent with immense charm into a dependable main-event star.

This was realized following Cena’s victory of the United States Championship at WrestleMania 31. On the Raw show immediately afterwards, and for each episode thereafter up until he lost the title, Cena extended an open challenge for his championship, a tradition he maintained consistently.

Aside from his intense rivalry with Kevin Owens, Cena’s matches against wrestlers such as Claudio Castagnoli (Cesaro), Jon Moxley (Dean Ambrose), PAC (Neville), and Sami Zayn not only won him renewed admiration from the audience but also injected a much-needed dose of athletic storytelling into the WWE, which was then struggling under the stale narrative of the Authority storyline.

Every time John Cena appears on WWE TV these days, I can’t help but be swept away by the thunderous applause and heartfelt adoration from the crowd. It’s no secret that this level of admiration has always been as certain as the victories he amassed during his full-time stint, but his time as the U.S. Champion noticeably accelerated the process.

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2024-12-03 16:15

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