15 WWE Title Changes That IMMEDIATELY Backfired

15. Vince McMahon Makes Himself Champion (WWF Title)

Title Change: Vince McMahon beat Triple H on the 16 September 1999 episode of SmackDown to win the WWF Title. It was a shock decision, but not an immediately outlandish proposition due to McMahon's success as an on screen character stretching back to late-1997. He was an effective talker, and a draw who could work well in certain match conditions, so there was no reason to dismiss him as champ outright.

Why It Backfired: It proved to be utterly, utterly pointless.

McMahon vacated his newly-won belt on the following week’s Raw, then Hunter won it back in a ‘Six Pack Challenge’ at Unforgiven anyway. So, what was the thinking here? Vince must’ve realised the error of his ways and reasoned he couldn’t work regular matches worthy of the title, or something. It was puzzling to book such a shock change then go back on it swiftly.

If the WWF planned to stick the belt back on Triple H at Unforgiven, then...why not just keep it on him heading into the pay-per-view? Things might've been vastly different had Vince wrestled on the show himself vs. 'The Game' and other top stars such as Big Show, Kane, Mankind and The Rock, but he didn't. Davey Boy Smith was the other man involved, not the boss.

Consequently, McMahon bagging the richest prize in the biz came across as a cheap publicity stunt that even he regretted as soon as it happened. Popping a rating was one thing, but at least give fans a reason to care about what literally just happened. Vince didn't here, and his brief flirtation with the biggest belt was never something he allowed fans to digest at all before it was all over.