10 Last-Minute WWE Champions

Speaking of the Summer of Punk (2011), that same angle saw longtime fan-favorite Rey Mysterio capture his first and only WWE Championship. Rey had held multiple titles throughout his WWE career, including the World Heavyweight Championship, but it wasn't until July 2011 that he won an impromptu tournament to declare a new WWE Champion.

Just like Punk's first WWE Championship reign came as a result of a last-minute booking decision, so did the first WWE title reign of Rey Mysterio. In fact, both reigns were connected since Rey was the first WWE Champion crowned since Punk left the company with the title after Money In The Bank. On the 25 July 25, 2011 RAW, Mysterio held the title for about an hour before dropping it to John Cena on the same night he won it,

Mysterio was never meant to be a part of WWE's Championship plans in the summer of 2011 and only became WWE Champion once Punk signed his new deal with WWE just prior to Money In The Bank 2011. Both Punk and Rey can thank last-minute booking decisions, as well as Punk's 11th hour decision to re-sign with WWE, for their very first WWE Championships.