10 Reasons The WWE Title Is Meaningless In 2017
9. Champion Of The Month
After a period of virtual dominance by AJ Styles to close out 2016 on SmackDown Live!, there has been a titleholder for every month of the year since January 1st.
Cena's victory over 'The Phenomenal One' at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view was an epic contest befitting the once-richest prize in the industry, but it marked the first of three reckless changes that have ultimately damaged all four individuals.
Whilst the belt initially elevated Styles, AJ quickly flipped the script and became the blue brand's undisputed top star who just happened to be holding gold. The loss to Cena didn't damage his position on Tuesday nights, but Cena's underwhelming defeat in the Elimination Chamber less than a month later made the decision to switch the title feel a little wasteful.
That reign looked dignified in comparison to Bray Wyatt's maiden dalliance with the title.
He reached the pinnacle of his career just weeks before the premature conclusion of his rivalry with Randy Orton, and barely got to drag the title to ringside on television before he was weeping at the sight of his burning house and losing it in pedestrian fashion at the biggest show of the year. The title had flirted with prominence but had quickly returned to stasis as a needless prop.