25 Greatest Wrestlers to never be WWE World Champion!

After weeks of build up, mainly out of my laziness, the list is finally here, and you can see who was our runaway leader at the top of the pile in the Greatest Wrestlers to never be WWE World Champion!

To be eligible for this list you had to have not won either of the WWE World Titles, and have wrestled in WWE, WCW, TNA or ECW significantly rather than in one match etc.

There are certainly a few surprises from the 22 votes I received. Overall there are 52 people who got at least one vote.

49=. X-Pac- 1 point
49=. Finlay- 1 point
49=. Tazz- 1 point
49=. Tito Santana- 1 point
45=. R-Truth- 2 points
45=. Tommy Dreamer- 2 points
45=. Ron Simmons- 2 points
45=. Rick Martel- 2 points
41=. Jeff Jarrett- 3 points
41=. Nigel McGuinness- 3 points
41=. Val Venis- 3 points
41=. A-Train- 3 points
38=. Cody Rhodes- 4 points
38=. Jim Duggan- 4 points
38=. Wade Barrett- 4 points
35=. Honky Tonk Man- 5 points
35=. Justin Credible- 5 points
35=. Bam Bam Bigelow- 5 points
31=. AJ Styles- 6 points
31=. Gory Guerrero- 6 points
31=. Road Dogg- 6 points
31=. Lance Storm- 6 points
28=. Raven- 7 points
28=. Al Snow- 7 points
28=. Jimmy Snuka- 7 points
26=. Heath Slater- 9 points
26=. Lex Luger- 9 points


Now we're down to the ones who matters!

Who in the blue shiney Poopie picked Finlay!

25. Umaga- 10 points

Spoiler:

Other Championships won: WWE Intercontinental Championship (2 times)

Umaga just gets into the top 25 of the greatest to never be WWE Champion. After a run as Jamal, Eddie Fatu returned to the WWE as the Samoan Bulldozer Umaga. Always the challenger, never the champion, Umaga was popular for his aggressive strength but also for his deceptive speed. His life was cut tragically short in 2009 meaning he will never be able to become WWE World Champion.

Crimey wrote:
26=. Heath Slater- 9 points

ED only put him second?

24. Mr Kennedy- 11 points

Spoiler:

Other championships won: WWE United States Champion (1 time)
TNA World Heavyweight Champion (2 times)

Mr Kennedy, or Ken Kennedy, is number 24 on the list of Greatest to never be WWE World Champion. It's highly likely that of all the people on this list, Kennedy was one of the closest to becoming world champion. Always held highly in the eyes of WWE management, many big storylines were planned for him, he also won the Money in the Bank briefcase only to get injured before he had chance to cash in and inevitably become world champion. He has gone onto win world titles in TNA, but 606v2 feel that he was one who should have been WWE World Champion in his time. There is still time in his career for him to return and become world champion, but considering the way he left, and his age, it seems unlikely that it will ever happen.

23. Drew McIntyre- 12 points

Spoiler:

Other championships won: WWE Intercontinental Championship (1 time)
WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time)

A surprisingly high position for "The Chosen One". Once touted for big things, McIntyre has completely fallen off the radar, only appearing on NxT these days. WWE seem to keep hold of him because of his reputation and the fact that a lot do believe he has a lot of promise, but the longer it goes with him being underused, the less likely it seems he'll ever make the rise. He is only 27 and there is definitely time for him to rise the ranks, but it does seem less and less likely.

22. DDP- 13 points

Spoiler:

Other championships won: WCW World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
WCW World Tag Team Championship (4 times)
WCW World Television Championship (1 time)
WWF European Championship (1 time)
WWF Tag Team Championship (1 time)

Best known for his time in WCW, DDP is a three time world champion there, but many feel that he's one guy that probably should have made the jump to the WWE World Championship. He had a short stint in WWE in which he won some championships, but never became world champion. DDP appeared and wrestled as recently as July 2, 2012 on Raw, so it's always possible he could become world champion, but it would be a huge surprise.

21. Jerry Lawler- 14 points

Spoiler:

Other championships won: None (in WWE, WCW, TNA, ECW)

21st is the King himself Jerry Lawler. A huge career spanning decades in other smaller promotions Lawler can look back on his wrestling career with pride. 606v2 however feels that Lawler is such a big name that he deserved the win the WWE World Championship. Lawler is a very odd wrestler in that despite being one of the most recognisable names and voices in WWE history, he has never won even one championship. Lawler had a WWE World Championship match as recently as 2010, so it's not an imposibility that his place on this list will become out of date, but even fans of Lawler would probably be irritated at WWE's booking of a 62 year old plus man as world champion.

19=. Shelton Benjamin- 15 points

Spoiler:

Other championships won: WWE Intercontinental Championship (3 times)
WWE Tag Team Championship (2 times)
WWE United States Championship (1 time)

The first joint position is at 19, where Shelton Benjamin is voted in. Always seen as one of the most athletic and talented wrestlers in WWE, he's perhaps let down by his perceived lack of 'mic skills'. Never really pushed near the world titles, Shelton can't even say he came close. At 37 and in Ring of Honour it seems unlikely Shelton will ever make the jump to WWE World Champion, but 606v2 believes he should have done!

19=. Ken Shamrock- 15 points

Spoiler:

Other championships won: NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) (In TNA)
WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time)
WWF Tag Team Championship (1 time)

Before Brock Lesnar, there was Ken Shamrock, a big MMA star, he made the jump to wrestling in 1997. A lot are a big fan of his MMA style in wrestling, and many believe he should have become WWE World Champion in his time there. He left to return to MMA in 1999 and hasn't been seen back in WWE since so it seems unlikely he will ever become WWE World champion, he is clearly remembered fondly by 606v2 though!

I seriously hope Scott Steiner is going to be in this!

did you vote Ant for him Ant?

I haven't had time to do it this time, been too busy with work - hopefully he will be in there!

I'm expecting Owen Hart, MVP, Steiner and possibly Vader might come up here.

Who voted for Heath Slater? The mans career has hardly started, could have voted for Seth Rollins or Damien Sandow aswell in that sense.

The Awesome Giz wrote:I'm expecting Owen Hart, MVP, Steiner and possibly Vader might come up here.

Who voted for Heath Slater? The mans career has hardly started, could have voted for Seth Rollins or Damien Sandow aswell in that sense.

Who do you think voted for Slater?

18. Brian Pillman- 16 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: NWA United States Tag Team Championship (1 time)
WCW Light Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
WCW World Tag Team Championship (1 time)
NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time)

Brian Pillman is known for two things, being Steve Austin's partner in their earlier years and arguably the better wrestler, and 'that' promo where he pulled out a gun. Surprisingly Pillman didn't win any championships in the WWE and certainly not the WWE World Championship, but 606v2 believe that he should have been world champion. Perhaps if he hadn't died in 1997 aged just 35 Pillman may have gone onto become world champion.

17. Bobby Lashley- 19 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: ECW World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
WWE United States Championship (1 time)[

Perhaps a surprisingly high position for Bobby Lashley. Granted a push that hadn't been seen since Brock Lesnar, Lashley threw it back in the face of Vince McMahon by leaving because of the treatment of his girlfriend at the time; Krystal. It is almost certain that Lashley would have won the world title had he stayed in WWE, he was on the verge of a push to the world title when he left, and was seen as the brightest prospect in WWE. At 36 it's becoming increasingly unlikely that Lashley will ever return to WWE and become world champion, especially as he's switched to a career in MMA.

Crimey wrote:

The Awesome Giz wrote:I'm expecting Owen Hart, MVP, Steiner and possibly Vader might come up here.

Who voted for Heath Slater? The mans career has hardly started, could have voted for Seth Rollins or Damien Sandow aswell in that sense.

Who do you think voted for Slater?

So will Hunico and Yoshi to be on this list then if Slater has found his way in?

16. Goldust- 21 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time)
WCW United States Championship (2 times)
WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time)
WCW World Tag Team Championship (2 times)
World Tag Team Championship (1 time)
WWF Hardcore Championship (7 times)
WWF Intercontinental Championship (3 times)

With his brother at 38=, but his dad surprisingly absent, Goldust or Dustin Rhodes arrives in the list at 16. A cult hero in WWE, his odd gimmick is one of the most memorable in WWE history and many believe that he deserved to become world champion in his time. At 43 and recently being released from WWE it is highly unlikely that Goldust will ever become world champion, he's as far away from it now as he has ever been. 606v2 it appears believe this is a shame.

VDT wrote:

Crimey wrote:

The Awesome Giz wrote:I'm expecting Owen Hart, MVP, Steiner and possibly Vader might come up here.

Who voted for Heath Slater? The mans career has hardly started, could have voted for Seth Rollins or Damien Sandow aswell in that sense.

Who do you think voted for Slater?

So will Hunico and Yoshi to be on this list then if Slater has found his way in?

Keep tuned and find out.

They should be, they are legends of the business.

And on the Slater vote I'm guessing two letters, one begins with E the other D, though that is just pure speculation.

Two of mine have appeared so far. Can't wait to see whos made the top 15 and wasn't on my list, I'll probably kick myself for forgetting them!

my 1st and 2nd were 16th and 17th

Very underwhelming list so far, makes a mockery of your hard work when people list guys like Slater, Barrett and McIntyre who are just starting out their careers, also guys like AJ Styles (who is a multi-time World Champion) hasn't had a chance to win either WWE or WHC belts

And who the hell thought Duggan was ever deserving of a World title (when World Titles genuinely meant something)

15. Billy Gunn- 28 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: WWF Hardcore Championship (2 times)
WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time)
WWE World Tag Team Championship (10 times)

Another member of DX makes the list, Billy Gunn reaches 15th with 28 points. Tag team specialist Gunn never made the jump required in singles competition to win the world title, despite being a King of the Ring winner. He recently appeared at the 1000th Raw, but it's extremely unlikely that 606v2 will see a man they believed should have won the world title finally win it.

14. Arn Anderson- 33 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: WWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time)

Only holding one championship in WWE, Arn Anderson is best known for being a member of the Four Horseman, however 606v2 believes he should have been booked as a WWE World Champion as well. Having not wrestled properly since 1997 and getting close to 60 years old it would take a huge surprise for Anderson to win a WWE World Championship.

13. Vader- 34 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: WCW World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

A WCW World Champion Vader never reached the same heights in the WWE, not even winning a single title in his two years with the biggest company in wrestling. Vader is often touted as the best big man in wrestling history and it is perhaps that reputation that has led 606v2 to believe he is the 13th greatest wrestler never to be WWE World Champion. Despite recently wrestling for the WWE Vader will never be able to reach the lofty heights which escaped him in his prime.

12. Muhammad Hassan- 36 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: None

Muhammad Hassan is best known for his storyline with the Undertaker which ended in controversy with a terrorist-esque storyline set to be broadcast just days after the tragedy of 7/7. It is certainly possible, even likely, that had Hassan not been released so early and been in WWE for just a year he'd have ended up as world champion. He didn't wrestle for 5 years after his release, but last wrestled 2 years ago, so it seems unlikely he'll ever even return to WWE never mind become world champion. However he is only 30, so he's more likely than most people in the top 25.

11. Sting- 50 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: WCW World Heavyweight Championship (6 times)
WCW World Tag Team Championship (3 times)
WCW International World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) (In TNA)
TNA World Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
TNA World Tag Team Championship (1 time)

Sting gets the position of the only member of the top 25 to have never wrestled a match in the WWE. Sting is probably the biggest name in all of wrestling to have never wrestled in the WWE, and so his position on this list is no surprise. With rumours of WWE trying to sign Sting as recently as last year, it doesn't take a huge stretch of imagination to see Sting becoming world champion in WWE one day, but as his age catches up to him, and he stays away from WWE for longer, it becomes less and less likely.

Only the top 10 to go now.

For Sting to be regarded as "The best to never wrestle for WWE" doesnt say much for him when hes only 11th of "Never WWE Champ".

Samo wrote:For Sting to be regarded as "The best to never wrestle for WWE" doesnt say much for him when hes only 11th of "Never WWE Champ".

I think some people left him out because he never wrestled in WWE.

We all know the confusion that caused me

Got a feeling the Top 10 will be fair predicatble, although there could be a surprise or two.

Ron Simmons only at 45th? DAMN!

I haven't forgotten about this by the way!

Will pick it up again tomorrow lunchtime!

Interesting choices so far. Two of my picks didn't make the top 25, but will be interested to see who voted for whom in the top 10.

I still want to know who thought Jim Duggan was deserving to be the WWF Champion!

Someone thought Finlay was!

the-gaffer wrote:I still want to know who thought Jim Duggan was deserving to be the WWF Champion!

He did win the royal rumble, under the current rules he would of at least got a title shot

He won the Rumble when it was considered a sexed up Battle Royal, it wasn't even a PPV, John Studd win it the following year

He was never seen as a guy who could take over from Hogan but they did want to push him on his arrival, hence the win, it was never seen as a springboard to better things

There are a few who I am surprised at, namely Raven Tazz and X-Pac

Marshall wrote:

Crimey wrote:
26=. Heath Slater- 9 points

ED only put him second?

Well he's obviously not the greatest ever not to win it. Although my top vote went to Sting, who I'm majorly surprised at his low position.

Well sting was never in the wwe, so should not even be on the list

I put both Raven and X-Pac in, X-Pac because he could be a great in ring wrestler and was a pretty good promoer to, though that was probably just some young nostalgia.

Raven though I feel was criminally under-used in WWE and WCW. He was one of the best promoers, and was one of the guys who developed their characters fully in that golden era of ECW when Foley perfected Cactus Jack, Steve Austin found his form as a renegade and Scotty Flamingo became the dark Raven.

paulscholes wrote:Well sting was never in the wwe, so should not even be on the list

How so? The list is "Greatest to never be WWE Champion". Since Sting has never been in the WWE, how can he have been WWE Champion? Perfectly valid choice.

paulscholes wrote:Well sting was never in the wwe, so should not even be on the list

He was eligible under the voting rules.

Sorry I didn't continue today, I have been out all day. Will go up tomorrow lunchtime instead.

10. Ricky Steamboat- 52 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time)

Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat just about gets into the top ten, beating Sting by just two points. Having held just one championship in WWE, Steamboat was never really close to ever winning the world championship. However he remains as one of the best wrestlers to never win the big one, having classic matches with Ric Flair and Randy Savage. Having last wrestled for WWE in 2009 and impressing Steamboat can still go in the ring but he will never fulfil 606v2's dream of Steamboat being the world champion in WWE.

8=. Rick Rude- 59 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time)

Like Steamboat, Rude only ever held one title in the WWE, however another DX member has made the list of greatest to never be world champion reaching the lofty heights of 8=. Rude sadly passed away in 1999, two years after he left the WWE in anger over the Montreal Screwjob, at 40 it was unlikely that he'd have ever won the world championship if he hadn't died.


8=. Ted Dibiase- 59 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: Million Dollar Championship (2 times)
WWF North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
WWF World Tag Team Championship (3 times)

Dibiase is probably the man closest to not making this list after he bought the WWE title in 1987 from Andre the Giant only for the title reign not to be considered official. 606v2 contributors clearly feel that Dibiase deserved an official world title reign. Most famous for his gimmick over anything else, Dibiase is one of the most memorable characters in WWE history, however he will never win the world championship in WWE, but we could see a Ted Dibiase as world champion in WWE if his son ever climbs the ladder.

7. Jake 'The Snake' Roberts- 64 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: None

Jake 'The Snake' Roberts is most famous for his gimmick and the psychological style of his wrestling and promos which influenced many today. Despite this Roberts would never win a single championship in the WWF never mind a world title. 606v2 seems to think this is a travesty, voting Roberts in 7th place.

5=. British Bulldog- 76 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: WWF European Championship (2 times)
WWF Hardcore Championship (2 times)
WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time)
WWF World Tag Team Championship (2 times)

Davey Boy Smith gets into the top 5 in the list. Despite having three runs in the WWF, the British Bulldog would never reach the lofty heights of the world title, having to be satisfied with runs with lesser championships and in the tag team division with the Dynamite kid. Perhaps being English he is held in higher regard by 606v2 than he would be on American-based boards, but he is still regarded as one of the best technical wrestlers WWF ever had. Smith passed away in 2002, aged 39, 2 years after his last sting with the WWF so he was unlikely to ever make it as world champion by that point.


5=. Razor Ramon- 76 points

Spoiler:

Other championships held: WWF Intercontinental Championship (4 times)
WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
WCW World Tag Team Championship (7 times)
WCW World Television Championship (1 time)

Scott Hall makes the top 5 by getting the same amount of points as the British Bulldog. Well known for being a part of the Kliq, defecting to WCW and his long battles with drink and drugs. Perhaps if it wasn't for those much publicised demons he would have made it to world championship level.