10 Odd One Out Wrestling Champions
2. Bret Hart
A strong debate could be mounted that Bret Hart is the greatest wrestler to ever step foot in the squared circle, undisputedly deserving of all his championships and accolades. However, his 2010 run with the WWE United States Championship, over a decade since he won the WCW incarnation of the strap on 25 October 1999, was an odd booking decision.
Since WWE took over ownership of the US title, it is largely a prize held by up-and-coming talent who capture the weekly TV audience with either their technical prowess or over characterisation. The championship was a key part of SmackDown's '00s renaissance, bolstering the stock of wrestlers such as Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, and John Cena.
When Hart won the WWE United States Championship, he was a 52-year-old Hall of Famer who'd suffered a career-ending injury. He returned to WWE TV via the feud between The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith & Tyson Kidd) and ShowMiz (Big Show & The Miz). Rather than put the championship on a younger member of the Hart clan, in line with the title's previous use, Bret defeated Miz - only to vacate the strap one week later.