8 WWE Champions Who Revived A Dying Title
7. Rob Van Dam - Hardcore Championship
When the Hardcore Championship was introduced to the WWF, the belt was created as a consolatory title for Mankind during his bizarre relationship with Vince McMahon in late 1998.
Nevertheless, the Hardcore Title became a fun addition to WWF programming, particularly during Crash Holly's run as champ in 2000. The 24/7 ruling made for entertaining television; however, it did nothing for the credibility of the title. With title reigns that lasted seconds and superstars boasting championship wins well into double figures, becoming Hardcore Champion meant almost nothing by mid-2001.
That is, until Rob Van Dam entered the picture.
RVD had established himself as the crown jewel of extreme wrestling during his time in ECW. Blending flashy martial arts with innovative use of foreign objects, 'The Whole F'N Show' was tailor made for the Hardcore Title.
Making his in-ring return at the Invasion PPV, RVD made a huge impression on the WWF audience by defeating Jeff Hardy to immediately become the new Hardcore Champ. In the months that followed, Van Dam faced off with the likes of The Rock, Kurt Angle, Steve Austin and The Undertaker, elevating the title to unprecedented heights.
RVD also brought the championship to main event status, headlining several additions of Raw and SmackDown, and even took the title to the main events of No Mercy and Survivor Series 2001.