10 Worst Endings To Awesome Wrestling Title Reigns

8. Finn Bálor Relinquishes After 24 Hours

Sheamus Daniel Bryan 18 Seconds WrestleMania
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A slight caveat here, as Finn Bálor never got the chance to have a truly awesome title reign. He was WWE Universal Champion for less than 24 hours, after all, making this a real case of what could (and should) have been.

Bálor won Raw's top prize within a month of debuting. Called up as part of the 2016 draft, he triumphed in a one night tournament (including a clean pinfall over Roman Reigns) for the right to face Seth Rollins for the new title at SummerSlam 2016. A short feud preceded the event, and while the match was blighted with chants about the bright red belt (it is quite hideous, to be fair), Finn scored a memorable victory.

He was Raw's top guy after just a few weeks on the main roster, but suffered a serious shoulder injury during the bout, putting a black mark on his triumph. With a seven-month recovery period on the horizon, the Irishman had no choice but to relinquish his belt the next night on Raw. It was a miserable sight, particularly for those who'd followed his journey through NXT, and he hasn't come close to recovering it since.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.