10 Devastating Times Wrestling Champions Had Their Titles Taken Away From Them
From Injuries to Lost Smiles...
No one likes watching a wrestler lose their championships without actually being pinned or submitted. Even if you absolutely despise the wrestler in question, watching someone have to give up their title through no fault of their own sends a feeling of melancholy through your heart, and you can't help but feel bad for them.
Earlier this year, Rey Mysterio himself was forced to vacate his United States championship after a shocking albeit controversial win over Samoa Joe, and it was heartbreaking to see Rey give up the championship - he might not have won it in the most convincing manner, but it was still his belt. Unfortunately, this happens all the time in professional wrestling. Whether it's because of a life threatening injury or a natural disaster (think Jon Moxley, not John Tenta), wrestling fans are no strangers to seeing the titleholder displayed as 'Vacant'.
Some have lost it due to injury, some have lost it due to their "departure" of the company and some have lost it along with their smiles, but all sent their own unique wave of emotion into the hearts of the fans.
Let's take a look at 10 of the most devastating times wrestlers had to give up the strap.
10. Daniel Bryan (Intercontinental Championship)
There are many reasons that the 2015 Royal Rumble is so abhorred. It pushed the wrong stars, misused talented midcarders and quite frankly was a sh*tshow.
There's one more thing that even the most optimistic of fans will agree on: It effectively made Daniel Bryan look like a joke. His further loss to Roman Reigns at Fastlane did nothing to help the situation. Things started to look better for Bryan when he won the Intercontinental Championship in a thrilling ladder match at WrestleMania 31.
Then he got injured... again.
In a heartbreaking show of courage and selflessness, Bryan vacated the Intercontinental Championship while also announcing he may have to retire on RAW. He sparsely appeared on TV afterwards, only returning to officially announce his retirement.