12 Biggest WWE Championship Change Squashes

9. Essa Rios vs. Gillberg - WWF Light Heavyweight Title (Sunday Night Heat 2000)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSBAJF-tyE8 Career jobber Duane Gill holds the distinction of being the longest-reigning WWE Light Heavyweight Champion, but it was his last title defense that most fans remember, and not necessarily for the match itself. After not being seen on WWE television for several months, Gill €“ who was parodying WCW star Goldberg as Gillberg €“ returned to Sunday Night Heat in early 2000 to throw out an open challenge, which is never a good idea in pro wrestling. Out came the former Papi Chulo, who was re-debuting as Essa Rios. Rios demolished Gillberg in less than a minute, capturing the Light Heavyweight Championship. But it was Rios€™ new valet who really was the star, the Extreme Diva, Lita. In her initial WWE appearance, Lita accompanied Rios to the ring, and then hit a moonsault on a prone Gillberg after the match, kicking off a six-plus year, Hall of Fame run with the company.
Contributor
Contributor

Scott is a former journalist and longtime wrestling fan who was smart enough to abandon WCW during the Monday Night Wars the same time as the Radicalz. He fortunately became a fan in time for WrestleMania III and came back as a fan after a long high school hiatus before WM XIV. Monday nights in the Carlson household are reserved for viewing Raw -- for better or worse.