10 WWE Jobbers Who Became World Champion

Not every single pro wrestler that passes through WWE's doors can or should become a World Champion. You'll often see social media blow up with comments about how the company botched someone's run once they've either left or got released without seizing 'the big one'. That's not strictly fair - reaching the mountaintop as a focal point champ should be reserved for the absolute best or those who strike gold with a fascinating character/gimmick and thus connect with fans.

Of course, there will always be those who rubbish certain title wins as "dumb" regardless. Pleasing everybody 100% of the time is nigh on impossible, so WWE doing their own thing and crowning who they think has potential is often the way to go. A lot of hard work went into turning the 10 workers examined here from "local competitors" who stared at the lights loads into bonafide stars who deserves to strut around with top prizes on TV.

There's still a lot even the most hardcore fans don't know about some of WWE's bigger belts, but everyone agrees on something: It always raises a smile when somebody trades doing the J.O.B a lot for parading about with a shiny championship. That, in turn, is a tangible reflection of how much they strived to go from 'zero to hero'.

Some WWE enhancement workers had to flee the nest to achieve success elsewhere. They're included too, because it's every bit as lovely to watch hardworking pros bag bigger belts in promotions like AEW or TNA.

Behold those who managed to overcome the oft-dreaded "jobber" tag!

'Derrick Bateman: WWE Champion' was never meant to be, but the dude had a real shot at greatness once he returned to the WWE fold following a successful period in TNA as Ethan Carter III (EC3). That 2019-2020 stint proved to be yet another false dawn for him though, sadly. Vince McMahon rather blatantly had no clue how to book EC3 effectively on the main roster after he'd gained some traction down in NXT.

Still, at least Carter could point to a resplendent 101-day reign as TNA World Champion between June-October 2015. Back then, he'd remodelled himself into a star who delivered the goods in-ring and on the mic. Some of EC3's cutting backstage promos were shared around with glee on social apps, and deservedly so. They were really, really good, and it seemed the guy had found his calling as Dixie Carter's spoiled brat family member.

EC3 experienced practically none of that excitement during his time as Bateman in WWE's FCW developmental territory or on the earliest incarnations of Tough Enough extension (sort of) NXT between 2009-2013. In fact, Derrick seemed kinda geeky and was typically used as a warm body to put others over. That continued once filming for each season wrapped up and he returned to smaller spot/trainee shows.

Carter would never showcase his true skills on WWE's largest stages, but TNA was a blessing for his career. There, he looked every bit the main event level talent and can boast multiple World Title runs. If only Triple H had been in charge, eh? Things might've been different on the Raw/SmackDown side.