10 Times WWE Completely Buried Ring Of Honor World Champions

Widely reported earlier this week after months of rumour and speculation, Adam Cole has at long last signed with WWE and is expected to drop into NXT with a hope of recapturing a buzz for the developmental brand long lost following the wholesale decimation of the roster in 2016.

The Bullet Club member brings with him huge support from his days on the independent scene, predominantly for Ring Of Honor. It was there where he grew into a world class heel, capturing the wrestling zeitgeist with his 'ADAM COLE BAY BAY' catchphrase as well as becoming the first (and currently only) three-time ROH World Champion.

It's a prideful throne upon which to sit, such is the prestige of the group's top prize.

In only fifteen years of existence, the title has remained almost entirely untarnished by the pantomime pitfalls of professional wrestling, with lengthy tenures from Samoa Joe, Bryan Danielson, Nigel McGuinness, Jay Lethal and Cole himself (amongst others) all infusing the belt with almost unmatched credibility in a notoriously fickle industry.

As Triple H likes to go on (and on) about though, it's the man that makes the title, not the other way around, and WWE have had no problem deconstructing Champions to ensure they know their place inside the McMahon empire.

The company may favour experience and pedigree (nyuk nyuk) more than they used to, but Cole would wise to be mindful of the bear traps that caught those that came before him.

WWE gave Daniel Bryan every chance of succeeding in the company from the moment he debuted. It just so happened that they completely didn't mean to.

It was one thing for his 'Pro' The Miz to verbally denounce the former international standout at every opportunity, but it was quite another for the company spokesperson (and, in effect, the company) to do the same.

In the minds of the deluded management, the persistent burial of Bryan's vast experience by commentator and Vince-anointed 'voice of WWE' Michael Cole was genuinely designed to cut through and resonate with the audience at large, rather than position Cole as an asinine heel.

As too was his appalling win-loss record on NXT. He'd lose almost exclusively, and was destined not to win the hybrid reality/talent show vehicle on those predetermined results alone.

Fortunately for the future WWE Champion, the company had long fallen out of touch with the pulse of the audience watching that show. The more discerning crowd cared little for how he performed against clearly inferior talents. Even in defeat, his debut match with then-World Champion Chris Jericho highlighted how he belonged on the main roster yesterday, let alone waiting it out to be a hopeful 'future star' on a magical tomorrow.