10 WWE Champions That Completely Buried Their Challengers

10. Triple H (Challenger: Rob Van Dam)

A tumultuous 2002 was ultimately a calendar year than categorically confirmed WWE as a rose without any remaining bloom, but Triple H was typically on hand to take full advantage of the situation in the absence of any other established headliners.

Suddenly barren and in need of stars, 'The Game' could well have invested in the future a decade or so before spearheading huge changes in NXT, but when his own spot remained in peril there were few finer at kicking the ladder away from a feverish chasing pack.

Rob Van Dam was uncharacteristically committed to the cause that summer, having unified the Hardcore and European Titles in to his Intercontinental Title as Raw surged towards the 'one title, one show' mantra being established in the wake of Brock Lesnar's post-SummerSlam exit to SmackDown with the WWE Title.

Then came a fork in the road. WCW's old World Title belt was relaunched as the red brand's top prize and awarded to Triple H because of course it was, RVD's Intercontinental Title was taken away, and Van Dam was easily beaten by Hunter in his one crack at the top title a month later. He was permitted to mock 'The Game's entrance in the match - a single moment of joy in a fog of of boredom, desperation and despair.