8 WWE Champions Who Revived A Dying Title

Throughout WWE history, the popularity and prestige of a championship can fluctuate from time to time, depending on how the title is booked. For example, having WWF Champion, Triple H, defeat Tazz in 2000 while the latter was reigning ECW Champion did nothing for the credibility of the ECW Title.

Meanwhile, the number of championships can also cause a title to lose its value; if everyone has a title, then the status of "champion" becomes all the less important. The amount of belts in WWE since 2001 has even led to many cards consisting almost entirely of title matches, while the Night of Champions PPV boasted that exact concept by design.

The choice of champion can also reflect the title's perception dramatically. The World Heavyweight Championship looked infinitely more suited to Batista than it did Jack Swagger, while the WWE Title itself seemed far more important when it was held by the likes of 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin than it did when it was around the waist of The Miz.

With so many moving parts, it's no wonder certain championships have seen a dip in popularity over the years.

Luckily, some superstars have taken it upon themselves to give their titles a shot in the arm.

The European Championship got off to a spectacular start in 1997, originally won by The British Bulldog after a stunning tournament final with Owen Hart in Germany. Its European flavour, both in champion and destination, made for an authentic introduction and furnished it with credibility from the very get-go.

Bulldog also lost the gold in prominent fashion to Shawn Michaels, in the main event of One Night Only from Birmingham, England. Michaels would even bring the gold with him for the first ever Hell in a Cell bout and the infamous WWF Championship match at Survivor Series '97.

Despite the stellar beginnings, the title would fall from grace dramatically in the years that followed, finding its way around the waists of Shane McMahon, Mideon and Mark Henry. While a number of great workers attempted to revive the title - including memorable runs from Kurt Angle and Eddie Guerrero - one man stood out above the rest.

William Regal won the European Championship from Al Snow in October 2000 and held it for 96 days (with a two day gap in the middle thanks to Crash Holly). As a patriotic Englishman, Regal was the perfect European Champ and took great pride in holding the title.

Restoring the title to it's European roots, Regal became synonymous with the title in its later years.