10 Saddest World Title Reigns In Wrestling History
9. Christian
After splitting from Edge, Christian always had to scratch and claw for every opportunity he got in WWE. Despite always being over -- and sometimes molten hot -- the front office generally seemed hesitant to back Captain Charisma, leaving his innumerable Peeps frustrated. Many, many fans wanted to see Christian get a chance to excel at the highest level, and Christian gave every indication that he could do it.
In 2005, he became one of the first major stars to jump ship to TNA, winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship twice. Upon his return to WWE, he quietly built a legacy as a Bret Hart-esque fighting champion in ECW. He had proved he could be a champion, and when Edge was forced to retire mid-feud with Alberto Del Rio, Christian stepped up. He defeated Del Rio to finally, finally claim his spot in WWE's main event and capture the World Heavyweight Championship.
After this, the culmination of his entire career, proving all his critics wrong, he lost it in his very first defense to Randy "Sure, Okay" Orton. This kick-started a legendary program between the two, defined by Christian's absolute inability to defeat Orton in any way, except by being kicked in the genitals.