10 Odd One Out Wrestling Champions
Out of place championship reigns, featuring Bret Hart, Tessa Blanchard and more...
At its core, professional wrestling, like all sports, is the pursuit of gold, albeit with storylines weaved through such ambitions. Wrestling is often at its best, both in action and storylines, away from the top title picture. Yet, all roads ultimately lead to an arm raised by the referee and a championship fitted to the waist.
You'd be hard pressed to remember any notable in-ring talent who never held a championship. Even if it was a brief run with the tag titles or a fleeting reign with the Hardcore Championship (or its present day variant the 24/7 Championship). Even the briefest title victory is worthy of at least momentary celebration.
A championship win allows a wrestler to engrave their name in the history books, though in the internet age this often merely equates to a curious click on a name a fan vaguely recalls.
Being a part of professional wrestling history is still an honour. However, some recipients of this tribute are outright bizarre anomalies. Even taking into account decades of title holders, some ex-champions stand out significantly more than others.
10. Ember Moon
At the time of writing, NXT is undergoing a drastic change. While there is debate on the peaks and troughs of quality, one of the aspects of the (former) black and gold brand that has remained consistent is the booking of Women's Champions. Every woman who has held the NXT strap has gone on to main roster success or has been showered with critical acclaim for classic matches. The name that stands out amongst them is Ember Moon.
Ember, a clear favourite with fans, has the in-ring skills and look of an absolute warrior. Yet, her in-ring career feels hampered compared to her fellow former champions. Moon has been held back by ill-timed injuries, which were particularly devastating during her main roster promotion.
She suffered an elbow injury during the 2019 Women's Royal Rumble match, and an ankle injury that kept her out of action until her re-debut in NXT at TakeOver 31. Moon was unsuccessful in challenging current champion Raquel González at NXT TakeOver: In Your House.
Ember's continued popularity and skill leaves the odds in her favour of recapturing the NXT Women's Championship for a second time, if not taking a main roster title.