10 Completely Stupid Things In Wrestling That Heels Always Do
7. I Am The Champion!
'However, a title can only change hands via pinfall or submission. Therefore, still your WWE World Heavyweight Champion...'
Depending on age or persuasion, those words in your head will currently be replaying in the voice of Howard Finkel, Lillian Garcia, Tony Chimel or Justin Roberts, but the fact they remain so distinctly recognisable exhibits how embedded a key title match regulation is in every wrestling fan's psyche. So why on earth then, is not equally engraved in the mind of an upcoming challenger?
As commentators used to explain back when they still did such a thing, the 'Champion's Advantage' crucially adjusts the traditional dichotomy of a wrestling match. A titleholder will sacrifice a winner's purse but retain their coveted prize if they lose via count out or disqualification. And yet, many a toe-rag and ne'er-do-well has cheerfully paraded with a championship belt following a victory, oblivious to the fact that the job has not been completed.
It's too much to expect a heel to read a rule book, sure. But at least double check the basics before entering into a career-defining clash.