10 Wrestlers That Would've Been WWE Champion Without Hulk Hogan

7. Sid Justice

Roddy Piper UK Tour 1991
WWE.com

Despite being promised the world and brought in amidst an extreme amount of hype and promotion, Sid Justice never won the WWE Championship. Sycho Sid did in 1996, yes, but not Sid Justice.

When Sid was negotiating with Vince McMahon, it is widely believed that Sid was offered a spot as the company's top babyface or, in other words, Hulk Hogan's spot. While these negotiations would've taken place before the steroid scandal truly blew up and Hogan's infamous Arsenio Hall appearance, Vince was still searching for his next flagship performer to replace the ageing Hulkster as the face of his company.

Although The Ultimate Warrior had failed catch fire in 1990, this didn't stop Vince from searching for the "next Hogan". Much to his eventual detriment, Sid preferred to be a heel and, despite the absurdity and lack of awareness, argued for Vince to change his mind.

Who turns down the Hogan spot in 1991 because they'd "rather be heel"?

Had Hogan not been around, Sid might've been brought in even earlier than '91 and pushed as the company's top star. He checked all the boxes for Vince in terms of a flagship performer's requirements: great look, great body, tall, long blonde hair, intense, and a physical 'specimen', but Sid Justice was unable to capture the WWE title during his first run at Titan.

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A former stuntman for Paramount Pictures, Matt enjoys sports, water skiing, driving fast, the beach, professional wrestling, technology, and scotch. At the same time, whenever possible. Having attended many famous (and infamous) shows including WrestleMania XV, In Your House: Mind Games, and the 1995 King of the Ring, Matt has been a lifelong professional sports and wrestling fan. Matt's been mentioned in numerous wrestling podcasts including the Steve Austin Show: Unleashed, Talk Is Jericho, and Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard. As a former countywide performer, Matt has been referred to as Mr. 300 for his amazing accomplishments in the world of amateur bowling. He is also the only man on record to have pitched back-to-back no hitters in the Veterans Stadium Wiffle Ball League of 2003.