10 Worst WWE Championship Reigns Of The 1990s

7. Shawn Michaels (January - February 1997)

Why was the build-up to WrestleMania 13 so convoluted? Ask Shawn Michaels.

After dropping the title to Sid at the previous Survivor Series, the Heartbreak Kid made his triumphant return at the 1997 Royal Rumble to win the belt back in front of an adoring hometown crowd. 

This should have led to a big rematch with Bret Hart at the upcoming Mania. HBK had beaten The Hitman at the previous supershow, so now it was time to return the favour. Alas, this was 90s Shawn, AKA one of the biggest a-holes to ever live. 

Speculation has it that Michaels didn't want to lose to Hart, so vacated the belt on a February episode of Raw. The official reason given was a knee injury, but that has always been challenged. 

Whatever it was, Michaels' second WWE title reign ended with a whimper after just 25 days. It threw the entire Mania main event build into disarray and inadvertently led to one of the worst matches the show has ever seen.

However, as it also freed up Hart to take on Steve Austin instead, it also led to one of the best WrestleMania matches ever.