10 Most Shocking First-Time WWE Champions

Which WWE title changes were also the biggest surprises?

Sheamus WWE Champion TLC 2009
WWE.com

It's had many names. It's been called many things. It's been redesigned more than any of its active peers in WWE. It is the single most prestigious title in the long history of WWE. Bigger than the WCW Championship and ECW Championship combined, bigger than the NWA/World Heavyweight Championship, and it's more important than any single gimmick, character, or personality.

The WWE Championship.

Throughout the 30+ year history of the Vincent Kennedy McMahon-owned promotion, the WWE Championship (also known as the WWE World Heavyweight Championship) has always been the company's crown jewel. Therefore, it's only been worn by an elite group of 127 wrestlers since 1963.

There is an incredible amount of careful thought and consideration with which Vince McMahon deliberates before deciding to crown a hopeful performer his de-facto standard-bearer.

Despite the attention that is given to this highly respected prize, not every superstar that wins this title is seen coming a mile away.

It doesn't happen often, but there have been times when a new WWE Champion is crowned and it seems to come far out of left field, with little preparation or warning.

So who are the superstars that shocked the wrestling world when they hoisted the gold? Who are the performers that fans may not have perceived as "WWE Championship material" yet still won the title? Who are the 10 most surprising first-time WWE Champions? Read on to find out...

10. Mankind

Sheamus WWE Champion TLC 2009
WWE.com

Rumor has it that Vince McMahon avoided signing the real-life Mick Foley for years, but eventually gave in to the pestering and persistence of one Jim Ross in late 1995.

When Mankind debuted in the spring of 1996, he was immediately thrust into an upper-card feud with The Undertaker. Mankind brought out a vulnerability in The Deadman that had not been seen up to that point. Despite Mankind's immediate success in matches against The Undertaker and later Shawn Michaels, by 1997 he was meddling in the mid-card with an uncertain future.

In addition, character transitions into Dude Love and Cactus Jack made the days of Mankind seem numbered on WWE television.

By the end of 1998, the character of Mankind was seen as a goof, a B+ player if you will, and the WWE Championship was reserved for only the best of the best. With The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin on a collision course headed for WrestleMania, the detour of Mankind dethroning Rock for the WWE Championship was a shocking moment, especially considering it took place on Monday Night RAW.

Most fans were both shocked and thrilled with what would prove to be the first of several extremely short reigns, no pun intended.

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A former stuntman for Paramount Pictures, Matt enjoys sports, water skiing, driving fast, the beach, professional wrestling, technology, and scotch. At the same time, whenever possible. Having attended many famous (and infamous) shows including WrestleMania XV, In Your House: Mind Games, and the 1995 King of the Ring, Matt has been a lifelong professional sports and wrestling fan. Matt's been mentioned in numerous wrestling podcasts including the Steve Austin Show: Unleashed, Talk Is Jericho, and Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard. As a former countywide performer, Matt has been referred to as Mr. 300 for his amazing accomplishments in the world of amateur bowling. He is also the only man on record to have pitched back-to-back no hitters in the Veterans Stadium Wiffle Ball League of 2003.