9. Rey Mysterio Wins World Heavyweight Championship, Loses Every Other Match Spring 2006
Say what you will about Rey Mysterio's push in the wake of Eddie Guerrero's death, but his victory for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XXII was an emotional moment not only was Mysterio carrying the memory of his fallen friend, but his win was a triumph for underdogs everywhere. At 5'6" (if that much) and 175 pounds, Rey was the polar opposite of the quintessential WWE Champion but he was also one of the most talented wrestlers to ever set foot in a ring. Apparently, Vince McMahon had come to his senses after decades as a size fetishist. Or not. Despite the fact that, in 2006, the brand extension was in full force and, as such, the World Heavyweight Championship actually meant something, Mysterio dropped non-title matches right and left proving that either WWE didn't know the difference between an underdog and a loser or that somebody was saying "F**k you" to Rey and his fans. He was beaten by Mark Henry and Rob Van Dam, went to a no contest with Kane, and in a particularly infamous example, was utterly squashed by The Great Khali. It was almost as if someone didn't want Mysterio beating foes larger than himself. Mysterio would lose the belt to King Booker after three months. A sad legacy of his reign is the position of "loser champion" one who holds the title, but is beaten constantly. It was a role thrust upon Jack Swagger, CM Punk in 2008, and (sadly) The Miz. More than just an insult to the fans by way of a single man, it became a repeated and irritating crutch of bad bookers.