10 Times Wrestlers Were Literally Given Championships
3. The Rock (WWF IC Title)
A mere three years removed from his squashing at the hands of Jim Duggan in WCW, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin had firmly established himself as the most popular star in WWE.
Being primed for a ceremonial coronation as WWE champion at WrestleMania XIV, Austin's popularity was such that he had, for all intents and purposes, exceeded the limits of the Intercontinental championship that he held.
Needing to get the title off of Austin so he could focus on the world championship, but not wanting their top babyface to lose momentum by losing the belt, WWE had Austin simply give the storied title away.
One night after defending the title against The Rock at D-Generation X: In Your House, Austin was ordered by Mr. McMahon to defend it once more against the 'Great One' on Raw.
Declaring himself to have outgrown the Intercontinental title, Austin handed the championship over to The Rock and then stunned him for his trouble, besmirching the reputation of a legendary title in a segment that would begin his legendary rise to become WWE champion.