7 Times WWE Title Was Vacated With Shocking Consequences

4. Vince McMahon Relinquishes WWE Title - September 1999

Vince McMahon had turned face at this point, and was forced to compete by Triple H on one of the first episodes of Smackdown! With Steve Austin taking time off due to his neck surgery, WWE needed to do something dramatic, and that was when the feud between Vince McMahon and Triple H escalated. It all boiled down to the episode of Smackdown! when Triple H forced Vince to compete in a bout for the WWF title. During the match however, Austin interfered, costing Triple H the strap! Although Vince McMahon vacated the title the following week on the episode of RAW, the title switch did no harm, spiking the ratings for the show! The aftermath of the title win saw Triple H and Vince McMahon engage in a bitter feud, which culminated at Armageddon 1999, when Triple H finally defeated Vince McMahon with the help of his own daughter, Stephanie McMahon! This led to the formation of one of the most formidable power couples in the history of the company and also saw the birth of the McMahon - Helmsley era!