10 Unrecognised Wrestling Championship Reigns

3. Ray Stevens - WWWF Championship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hZ_ElZJdeU Ray Stevens is a man who is not well known amongst modern wrestling fans. Like countless other legends, Stevens is a name that has become lost over time. If he is remembered in this day and age, its likely as the longtime tag team partner of Pat Patterson. Together, the two ran roughshod through the San Francisco territory as the Blond Bombers. The duo won the NWA World Tag Team Championship on two occasions, as well as once carrying the AWA€™s version of the title. However, Stevens also had great success as a singles competitor. He held a wealth of regional and national championships from various promotions across the country -- including the AWA, the NWA, the WWWF, and the Mid-Atlantic area, among others. But, in 1967, Ray Stevens went for the big one. In San Francisco, on July 15th, the so-called Blond Bomber challenged Bruno Sammartino for the coveted WWWF Championship. After a long and grueling battle, Stevens delivered his patented Bombs Away top-rope knee drop to Sammartino. Bruno was subsequently unable to return to his feet and answer a ten-count. Stevens was declared the winner and the new WWWF Champion, but the Blond Bomber€™s moment in the sun wouldn€™t last. Shortly after the contest, it was determined that, according to WWWF rules, the champion could not lose his title via a countout. Therefore, the belt was given back to Sammartino, who promptly returned to the East Coast in order to get away from the vicious Stevens.