10 DUMB WWE Title Changes (We Didn't Want To Admit Were GENIUS!)

10. JBL (2004)

Jaws were agape when JBL beat Eddie Guerrero to become WWE Champ at the Great American Bash 2004. How could that happen?! The ex-APA brawler was a tag-team guy and that was it. Surely he wouldn't have the chops to work out as the main man. Anyone thinking that would be shown up throughout '04 and into '05.

People were p*ssed when Layfield beat the popular Guerrero and ended his run, but it was the right move for SmackDown. That show now had a linchpin heel to centre itself around, and WWE knew they could build the easy-to-despise JBL up then tear him down when the time called for that.

That's exactly what the company did with John Cena at WrestleMania 21.

Bradshaw was a necessary evil in the heel champion role, and he had to hold the strap for a long time so fans would beg to see him fall. Giving him a lengthy reign, then using JBL's disconnect with the fanbase as a means to elevate Cena to the top of cards was sensational work from all involved.