10 WWE Champions Who Weren't Ready For The Belt

5. Eddie Guerrero

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WWE.com

In a parallel to Shawn Michaels, Eddie Guerrero was beyond ring-ready to hold the WWE Championship.

In another parallel to the Heartbreak Kid, Latino Heat was also an incredible rogue character of his own, unique distinction. Where Michaels was a thoroughbred d*ckhead whose sheer, impeccable talent eventually saw him become one of the most beloved pro wrestlers ever, Guerrero was far more endearing in his rule-bending and brash disposition. Their would-be WrestleMania 22 dream match would have rendered us all gibbering wrecks in its twisting sentiment and firecracker technicality.

Guerrero was an in-ring phenomenon and master performer, a near-ideal of a Heavyweight Champion, but he was a haunted man. It's almost tragic, really, his vulnerability and lack of confidence. Guerrero was so loved, so audibly adored, and yet, he never allowed himself to believe it. Trapped in a dark head space following his legendary triumph over Brock Lesnar at No Way Out 2004, he never felt comfortable in the role he was born to play.

He eagerly dropped the WWE Title to JBL mere months after the realisation of his life-long dream, and more tragically still, when he was more receptive to the role, cruel fate had other plans.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!