10 Most Essential WWE European Title Matches
WWE abandoned Europe years before Britain.
Hot on the heels of Britain’s shock departure from the EU, Europe has become a red hot topic on the lips of Joe Public across the globe this week. From a wrestling perspective, the exit was akin to Batista leaving Evolution in 2005 – minus the thumbs down, Clotheslines and Powerbombs.
Naturally, this ultra-serious topic of conversation inevitably got this wrestling-obsessed writer thinking about another ultra-serious subject that profoundly effects our daily lives – professional wrestling, of course!
So how does the topic of Europe connect with the grapple game? The answer is “easily” and without a La Résistance member in sight (sorry Robért Conway). Look no further than the now-defunct European Championship. An often forgotten belt in the ranks of championship history, the European Title was once a prominent addition to World Wrestling Federation programming before eventually being retired in 2002.
Despite being held by some dubious champions during its lifetime – we’re looking at you, Mideon – the European Championship also had its fair share of iconic titleholders too. From degenerates and people’s champs to porn stars and Olympians, the list of champions is awash with notable names and legendary performers…and also Mideon.
Ironically, only two men who held the European Title actually hailed from Europe themselves (not counting faux-European, Al Snow); those men being Davey Boy Smith and William Regal. However, it was no coincidence that those two men who were arguably the most successful with the belt.
Regal won the title a record-equalling four times and collectively held the title for a total of 179 days – longer than any other competitor. That is except for his fellow-Brit, Davey Boy, who had the longest reign by far with 206 days uninterrupted and 253 days over the course of his two stints as champ.
To overlook the European Title is a crime for any self-respecting wrestling fan and a cardinal sin for any wrestling historian worth his salt. During its five year tenure as an active championship, men waged war over, spilt blood and laid it all on the line in pursuit of the strap and many of these encounters have sadly become lost in time.
With the advent of the WWE Network, let these forgotten classics be forgotten no more, as we look back and chronologically shine the spotlight on ten of the essential, must-see matches in European Championship history.