10 Best Wrestlers Who Were Never WWE Champion
5. Ted Dibiase
Peaking upon entry to WWE, Ted Dibiase's 'Million Dollar Man' character tried and failed to buy his way to main roster supremacy within the first year of his career. Only by funding his own personalised title could he get near singles title matches after that. And as beautiful as the Million Dollar Belt looked, it didn't match the fleeting moments the ill-gotten WWE Championship sat around his waist.
Like so many fabulous talents of the era, Dibiase's magnificence served a greater purpose than carrying the WWE Championship. Hulk Hogan's legendary run ensured towns and pay-per-views alike were persistently sold out, but the raft of stars such as Dibiase, Rick Rude, Jake Roberts and a practically Perfect performer (more on him later) ensured that secondary shows could run smaller towns with serviceable stars on top.
By the time Hulk Hogan et al were all but gone in 1992-93, Dibiase was well-deployed as a dependable doubles star, forming the broadly enjoyable Money Inc with Irwin R Schyster. Again a reliable hand, Ted's time had passed as the company moved forward with the likes of Bret Hart and Yokozuna in place of trusted headliners from eras past.