8 Times Major WWE Champions Were Forced To Vacate Titles

3. Eric Bischoff Declares World Heavyweight Championship Vacant - December 2004

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzSPUL8BtO8 For the first time in the history of the belt, the World Heavyweight Championship was made vacant back in 2004, and there would be no champion for almost a month over the festive period - largely due to Eric Bischoff. The controversy surrounding the incident occurred in a Triple Threat match between Edge, Chris Benoit and Triple H. Edge tapped out to Benoit's patented submission maneuver at exactly the same time that the referee made a three count on Benoit, due to his shoulders being down on the mat. That led Bischoff to make the decision that there was no legitimate champion, and the belt was declared vacant. The situation was resolved in the New Year, as an Elimination Chamber match determined just who would emerge with the championship. All three men who were involved in the initial controversy took part, and it was Triple H who prevailed to win the World Heavyweight Championship.