Right Guy at the Wrong Time
By Scott Keith on 3 July 2024
Who are former or current heavyweight champions that got the shaft being a champion at the wrong time? Whether they were overshadowed by issues plaguing the promotion, or they were the champion when business was down or booking wasn't great? Like Drew and Covid, or even Swerve who's had to deal with tons of backstage AEW drama and nosediving ratings that probably aren't his fault. Below are some examples:
-Seth after his first cash in 2015 was given absolutely nothing to work with booking wise
-Chris Jericho after he unified the belts and then treated like an after thought.
-Diesel in the mid 90s that was stuck feuding with guys like King Mabel
-Hangman after he finally won the belt and then was barely the focus on the show.
-The Miz, who many would argue didn't deserve the title, but was never given a real chance as he feuded with Jerry the King and his main event with Cena was used as a set up for Cena vs the Rock 1.
All good examples. I'd also add Lex Luger in 1997, who was mightily over as a top guy and could have carried the World title for a while, but was unfortunately standing in the way of Sting getting his revenge on Hogan.