Ranking Every WWE Grand Slam Champion From Worst To Best

Coining the term in 1997 ahead of unexpectedly scooping the glory in a controversial conclusion to UK-only supercard One Night Only, Shawn Michaels dropped 'Grand Slam' into his woozy and boozy pre-match promo in yet another attempt to separate himself from the chasing pack, and especially Bret Hart.

'The Hitman' took himself, his craft and his title reigns incredibly seriously. Undeniably a trait grossly missing from the modern era's careless character presentation, the hunger for cutting edge personalities and near-the-knuckle outlaws on the cusp of the Attitude Era made his pride look dated and isolated.

Never afraid of his rival's wrath, the cocktail of incredulity, envy and frustration 'HBK' felt towards his enemy manifested itself in yet another button-pushing moment from the fearless and peerless performer. Already a five-time WWE Champion, Hart was also a two-time Triple Crown winner. These were rare achievements in 1997, and ones Michaels wasn't within touching distance of. In preparation for snaring Davey Boy Smith's vanity title, he coined the 'Grand Slam' moniker for winning the company's four major titles.

Yes, four major titles - it was a simpler time. Today, superstars trip up over pieces of tin, but the Grand Slam prize remains prestigious for the select few that have managed to hold at least one variant of a World/Tag Team Title as well as a combination of Intercontinental, United States, European and/or Hardcore Gold. Roman Reigns became the most recent on Monday, but is the 'The Big Dog' the prized pooch?

Time's been awfully kind to Bradshaw's latter-day reinvention as a contemporary 'Million Dollar Man' retread, with only his p*ss-poor sojourns to the commentary desk acting as a reminder of just how flagrantly awful JBL often was to watch.

Shockingly given the WWE Title in 2004 long before he was ready for it, Layfield admittedly grew into the role well on the microphone even if his matches were only marginally better than the snoozers his 2017 equivalent Jinder Mahal assembled during his own blue brand reign of terror.

Long-tenured in the organisation as a former Hardcore and Tag Team Champion from his tough-talking Texan days, Layfield slotted into life as a reliable midcard heel following his lone stint at the top. Subsequently snatching United States and Intercontinental Titles ahead of his 2009 retirement, the former Fox News analyst assembled a trophy cabinet bigger than anybody would have ever assumed him capable of during what appeared to be the dying days of his career in 2003.

As with Mahal this year, his shocking success gave hope to most that one of Vince McMahon's brass rings may only be an unthinkable and inexplicable megapush away.