8 Reasons Rick Rude Deserves WWE Hall Of Fame 2017 Induction
5. He Was A Forgotten World Champion
Rick Rude is frequently cited as amongst the best superstars to never win the WWE Championship. While it's certainly true that Rude never claimed that particular belt, his name doesn't belong in annals of those who never reached wrestling's true pinnacle, as he was actually a three-time world heavyweight champion.
In the early '90s, WCW had its own world title, but still continued to use the NWA World Heavyweight Title as a separate, active championship. Once the NWA withdrew its participation in WCW, however, the company still had the belt, but not the branding. They took the physical title (the famous big gold belt that would later represent the World Heavyweight Championship in WCW and WWE) and rechristened it the "International World Heavyweight Title."
Though its beginnings may sound suspect, the belt was indeed a legitimate world title, with Ric Flair's two reigns added to his overall total. During the championship's brief existence, Rude held it three times, making him the most prolific International World Heavyweight Champion ever.