10 Instant Wrestling Title Devaluations
8. From Triple H...To Vince McMahon (WWF World Title)
This abomination occurred at the very height of McMahon Megalomania, which is one of several reasons why 1999 isn't remembered fondly by all.
What's so deflating about the switch, which took place on SmackDown, is that it was for what remains to this day the most prized title in the game. These were times of war, granted, but it's not as if the WWF needed any help beating WCW Thunder in the ratings - not that it would have excused what remains a pointless and avoidable decision.
It seems odd now, but it was Stone Cold Steve Austin's interference which initiated the change, which (mercifully) was a temporary one. The whole McMahon-as-face affair was odd. He catered to his own whims much too often, whereas previously, in the heel role, he'd happily p*ss his pants in the name of audience catharsis. He always wanted to be a wrestler, apparently. Unfortunately, he got his wish here.
The list of WWWF/WWF/WWE champions is the most impressive roll-call of titleholders in the history of titles. John Bradshaw Layfield, Sid and Diesel, as limited as they were in the wrong, were either very over or had a legitimate presence about them. Even the New Japan's IWGP Heavyweight strap was once worn by Scott Norton (and another head-scratcher we'll get to later), ruling that out of the running.
McMahon's name stands out as the one pockmark blemishing the book of records.
McMahon would also go on to devalue the ECW World Heavyweight title in 2007, which he was probably a lot happier doing.