10 Late Replacements Who Won Big In WWE

What: Championship Scramble/World Heavyweight Championship, Unforgiven 2008

Replaced: CM Punk

It might seem odd to have this so high on the list but the short and long-term effects have to be taken into account here.

The Championship Scramble was a one-off, polarising concept at Unforgiven 2008, with all three of the concept matches taking place on the same night.

It would pay off big time for one man who wasn’t supposed to be in any of them.

Chris Jericho was in the middle of his highly acclaimed feud with Shawn Michaels, being battered and beaten in an Unsanctioned Match earlier in the night, so much so that he lost by referee stoppage.

Not long after, CM Punk was written out of his World Heavyweight Championship defence in a backstage segment, wiped out by The Legacy and not even given the chance to defend his title.

To the shock of everyone, Jericho would take his place as the last entrant in the scramble, appearing from behind the curtain with a look of pain and anger on his face.

Taking advantage of a Batista powerbomb just minutes after appearing, Jericho scurried into the ring, pinned Kane and took off into the sunset as new World Champion.

It was his first World Title in six years, and one of three he would enjoy with his dark, purposeful heel persona during an outstanding career renaissance, one of many over the next decade that may not have lasted if not for this title run. A run that gave him new life after leaving the industry abruptly in 2005.