(I am so tired. This may not make sense)
I’m sure you’re sick of reading about ECW on Sci Fi by now; I know I kinda am. Still, there’s something that was mentioned that’s been stuck in my head, and I’ve been thinking it over for a day.
During the title belt presentation skit to start the show, Styles said like “RVD was the best wrestler never to win a world title.” Storyline wise, that’s seems correct, and if we take it as so, who does that leave? Who is the best current wrestler to never be world (singles) champion?
This is much more a golf concept than a wrestling one, but it’s been used as a tag line before on screen for Chris Benoit and by fans for Owen Hart and Eddie Guerrero, among others. The increased amount of title changes (and the increased amount of World champions) means there’s less to choose from, but I think it’s still an interesting question – you get to play with the nebulous concept of “merit” and rate their current level of performance to figure out their “current wrestler” level; it’s a perfect unanswerable question (which I usually hate.)
There’s actually a question inside of a question, too:
“Does holding [promotion name here]’s World Title truly make them a World Champion?” Depending on whether the ROH Title is a world title in your mind, Joe and Danielson may be eligible. A cynic may want to make the case that the NWA/TNA and/or SmackDown! titles aren’t/haven’t been world titles for a while, but I wouldn’t go that far. I think those decisions you’ve got to come up on your own.
For simplicities sake, I think you might have to narrow it down to “best wrestler in their region” and assume US. I have no idea who’d it’d be in Japan, and Mexico depends heavily on what titles are World Titles. (I’m thinking either Perro, Chessman, or Bucanero, but I’m afraid I’m missing someone.)
In the US, who would YOU pick as the best current wrestler? It wasn’t really obvious to me at first, but I thought about it for a day, and I think I have an answer. I’ll put it after the link just so you can think about it.
My pick is a guy who’s been a minor champion multiple times and a tag team champion on occasion. He’s been used mostly in supporting roles in both WCW and WWE, and has been successful, with both the fanbase and the promotions grading his talents highly. He’s well rounded, able to do good promos and good matches. He’s probably on the downside of his career but can still go, and is a person promotions pick to work with green wrestlers. He’s unlikely to ever win the world title, though I guess you never really know about these things anymore, and he’d be acceptable as a transitional champion if they position him well before hand.
My pick for current best wrestler never to be world champion is William Regal.
Great topic and a really great choice. Regal has been an upper mid carder for years now and never got a run with the belt.
As far as other candidates, their aren’t many notable guys in WWE that haven’t been tapped for a run. Finlay and Lashley are both really new to the promotion. Benjamin may qualify soon.
Maybe Matt Hardy qualifies. Guy that’s had great matches over the years and moved a lot of merch yet never had a run.
I’d even listen to arguments for Dustin Runnels. A guy that’s similar to Regal in that he was a multi-time secondary and tag champion and was involved in high profile things but never had a run.
On the ROH/TNA scene, I think Homicide and Chris Daniels might be the best candidates.
My pick for current best wrestler never to be world champion is William Regal.
This is where I was going. The also mentioned Matt Hardy is another sound choice.
ROH’s title is about as world of a title as the ECW title ever was in its day so might as well count it, I guess.
My pick for current best wrestler never to be world champion is William Regal.
This is where I was going. The also mentioned Matt Hardy is another sound choice.
ROH’s title is about as world of a title as the ECW title ever was in its day so might as well count it, I guess.
I was full of ideas until I reread the rules and had to cross all the deadies and retirees off my list. Regal or Shelton for me. Matt Hardy has just never, ever lived up to the hype for me.
Another vote for Regal here – more tenure than Finlay in North America, has held the IC title and tag titles, etc.
I don’t think it’s ever an especially *hard* pick to make, but it’s an interesting thought.
Especially since it’s U.S. Open season and this always comes up anyway. :)
What’s the deal with Regal, anyway? Is it just because he’s British? He always gets a reaction from the fans, he has good to great matches, but he’s never seriously considered for a world title shot. Bob freaking Holly got a title shot!
If not for the tremendous overshadowing by his brother, Rick Steiner might have had a good case. But being the “other” Steiner (and having piss poor mic skills….somebody, PLEASE get Rick a manager!) has always somehow kept him in the undercard, like Dustin as the “other” Rhodes.