10 Totally Soul-Crushing WWE Title Changes

Heels do bad things to babyfaces, then get their comeuppance. Without this most simple premise, professional wrestling is virtually nothing. But this well-walked path cannot just be a justification or get-out for careless booking and lazy writing.

Shortly after WrestleMania 30, Triple H found himself locked in a war with The Shield after Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins left The Authority's employ in the wake of condescending neglect from 'The Game'. Ahead of two spectacular wars against the 'Hounds Of Justice' alongside his Evolution buddies Randy Orton and Dave Batista, 'The Game' took the usual heel approach of stacking the deck against his former allies to weaken their resolve. It was at this point somebody remembered that Dean Ambrose had held on to the United States Title for a whopping 351 days.

It was (and still is) a record reign for the title since its 2003 WWE inception, but it had been a run assembled quietly in the background of the group's absorbing trios wars, thus rendering the longevity something of a moot point.

Short of a celebrating a year with the title, it felt cynical enough of the company to dethrone Dean anyway, not least without even giving him the dignity of losing with honour. Hurled into a 20-man battle royal, Ambrose lasted until the bitter end, only to be eliminated by Sheamus a tone deaf babyface 'push' for the 'Celtic Warrior'.