Throughout the history of professional wrestling, the elite stars have carried the banner of their companies. Whether it was the NWA, WWE or WCW, the biggest names in the business, who are normally the biggest attractions for the fans, were given the world titles. Hulk Hogan, Harley Race & Ric Flair were the faces of the sport in the eighties and early nineties. The late nineties and 2000’s have been dominated by Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Kurt Angle & John Cena. But it wasn’t just the most talented, fan friendly wrestlers who wore the titles. It was reigns by the following men that left you wondering what the promoters were thinking?
The Great Khali
Standing over 7 feet tall and weighing over 400 pounds, The Great Khali is one of the most awe inspiring wrestlers in history. What he lacks in talent, he makes up for in look. His look has to be the only reason why Vince McMahon put the strap around Khali’s waist. A traditional Khali match consists of slap, chop to head, place both arms above head, loud scream and then repeat. Usually after the second installment he’ll go for the pin while standing.
In July 2007, the present World Heavyweight Champion Edge was forced to vacate the title due to injury. On that episode of Smackdown! a 20-man battle royal was held, where the winner would become the champion. Khali won the battle royal after eliminating Kane and Batista to win the world title. During his two month title reign, wrestling fans were forced to watch horrible matches including the Unforgiven pay per view where Batista defeated Khali and Rey Mysterio in a triple threat match to take the title away.
David Arquette
In 2000, Arquette came into WCW to promote his new movie, Ready to Rumble. What ensued was one of the worst storylines in the history of professional wrestling. This angle makes me wish we saw more “Katie Vick” angles. Don’t know what that is? Look it up.
Arquette was aligned with Chris Kanyon and the present WCW World Champion, Diamond Dallas Page. On WCW’s Thunder broadcast, a stipulation was presented during a tag team match between Arquette and DDP vs. Eric Bischoff and Jeff Jarrett. It was announced that whoever scores the pinfall for their team, would be the new world champion. Arquette pinned Bischoff to claim the gold. He would only hold on to the title for 12 days, but it was enough time to tarnish the history of the title.
Without giving Vince Russo too much space in this column, he is the awful writer who wanted Arquette to win the title. He is also the guy who decided to give himself the WCW World Championship for a week. These two title reigns were probably the worst in the history of WCW.
Vincent Kennedy McMahon
McMahon won the WWE Title in 1999 when he feuded with Triple H in the infamous marriage angle involving Stephanie McMahon. McMahon certainly does his part in putting on entertaining matches that usually result in a complete whooping, but it’s hard to say he deserved to be World Champion. I can’t blame him for wanting to hold the title. He grew up in the business and he had done everything else. Much like Arquette’s and Russo’s reigns, McMahon was only champion for 6 days. While the McMahon persona was the perfect heel to anger the fans, it just doesn’t make sense. McMahon would later claim the ECW championship in another horrible angle involving the over-rated Bobby Lashley.