8 Wrestling Title Reigns That Officially Never Happened

4. Antonio Inoki - WWF Champion

WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki is among the most respected figures in pro wrestling history. It's no surprise that the Japanese wrestling juggernaut would meet great success, even as it pertained to the WWF. On November 30, 1979, Inoki took on then-champion Bob Backlund in Japan, winning the championship. Just over a week later, Backlund would win a re-match, which was later declared a no-contest by WWF President Hisashi Shinma, due to interference by Tiger Jeet Singh, which allowed Inoki to remain champion. However, Inoki refused the championship, and the title was declared vacant. Six days after the Inoki/Backlund re-match, Backlund would defeat Bobby Duncum in a Texas Death Match to win the title again. Since Inoki refused the title, his reign isn't recognized by the WWE, and Bob Backlund is perhaps unjustly credited with a four year title reign.