Extreme Championship Wrestling was well-known as a breeding ground for both WCW and WWE, who would happily acquire some of their wrestlers over the years to build their own rosters. With homegrown talent like The Dudley Boyz, Raven and Rob Van Dam holding up the promotion for many years, they were crown jewels for the promotion, and mainly used as their champions.

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ECW's championship contenders helped steady the promotion on their shoulders, and kept it running with their talent and heart. With many wrestlers coming through the revolving doors of ECW, there were just as many who were never able to hold championship gold. Looking back, Paul Heyman would surely have liked to put championships on some of these wrestlers, as it may have helped ECW stick around even longer.

10 Steve Austin

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin wound up being one of the biggest names in professional wrestling, and ECW had him employed only a year before he really rose to superstardom. Austin entered ECW following his run in WCW and only spent a year in the promotion but was better able to showcase his personality and enhance his promo skills. He did not win any championships during this time, despite coming very close to a run as ECW World Heavyweight Champion.

Austin would certainly win his fair of championships in WWE and WCW, but he was never able to hold gold in the Land of Extreme during his short stint. However, it was certainly where he cut some of most vivacious promos.

9 Rey Mysterio

As one of the premiere luchadores to enter America in the 1990s, Rey Mysterio would set the wrestling world on fire with his high-flying offence. ECW gave Mysterio a shot in America before any other company did, and exposed him to a brand new audience. Despite having some of ECW's highest-rated matches in the company's history, Mysterio was never given a shot at any championships.

RELATED: ECW: The 10 Highest Rated Matches Ever (According To Dave Meltzer)

Mysterio's matches with the likes of Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera were some of the most high-flying that the US had ever seen, but Mysterio's championship success would come later in WWE and WCW.

8 The Bad Breed (Axl & Ian Rotten)

Axl Rotten and Ian Rotten ECW

Despite being among the most hardcore wrestlers in the promotion, both Axl and Ian Rotten were held championship gold in the Land of Extreme. Known as The Bad Breed, the Rotten brothers tried to win the ECW World Tag Team Championship on multiple occasions, but failed. The duo wound up achieving more fame feuding against each other in hardcore matches, including a Taipei Death match, which included broken glass on their taped fists.

7 Lita / Miss Congeniality

Few fans remember that Lita spent time in ECW as "Miss Congeniality", the girlfriend of Danny Doring. Considering that she only wrestled one singles match during her time with the promotion, and that there was no designated Women's Championship or division in ECW, she did not even have a chance at winning a championship. Thankfully, during her transition to WWE following her ECW stint, she would become one of the most beloved female wrestlers of all time.

6 Psicosis

Psicosis

Alongside Rey Mysterio, Psicosis was one of the many luchadores who were recruited to ECW to introduce lucha libre to American audiences.

RELATED: The 10 Worst WCW Cruiserweight Champions Of All Time

Despite having some great matches during his short stint, Psicosis would have to wait until he reached WCW to begin getting championship opportunities. His matches with Rey Mysterio are among some of the best to take place in an ECW ring, but Psicosis rarely receives recognition because of it.

5 911

As one of ECW's original giants, 911 was consistently in the main event spotlight as both the "handler" of Sabu and as a member of Paul Heyman's Dangerous Alliance. Mainly used as an enforcer, 911 would compete seldom in matches despite having a long career with ECW. Unfortunately, his in-ring skills did not lead him to success in the record books, but it was still surprising that someone of his stature was not featured more dominantly in the ring.

4 Al Snow

Al Snow

Like many ECW alumni, Snow would achieve most of his success in WWE after his ECW run. However, his ECW run did make him one of the most popular wrestlers on the roster at one time.

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Despite never winning any championships with the promotion, fans loved interacting with both him and "Head". While never a main eventer, there is no denying Al Snow's popularity as a character. Before Snow left for WWF, he was rumored for a run with the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.

3 Brian Pillman

With only one match for ECW in the record books, Brian Pillman did not have a lengthy career in the land of the extreme. However, with a realistic persona that matches ECW to the letter, Pillman fit right at home during his minimal appearances. The Loose Cannon's career was unfortunately cut short only years later, but if he had spent more time in ECW than he would have certainly achieved the championship success that he deserved.

2 Sycho Sid

As one of the few former WWE Champions to join ECW following their championship run, Sycho Sid joined ECW in 1999 following multiple runs in both WWE and WCW. As a marquee star, he made appearances with some of ECW's top stars of the time including The Dudley Boyz, but was never given a clear shot at any championship gold. He would re-join WCW only a few months after his debut, but it was a sight to see him in ECW, even for a short time. Sid never won championship gold in ECW, but he did look dominate against The Dudleys.

1 Blue World Order

Used namely as a comedy tag team, the Blue World Order never won any championships under this gimmick. While Stevie Richards would win tag team gold alongside Raven, he never won championships as "Big Stevie Cool". While certainly popular as a group, none of the men were able to achieve much more than making audiences laugh during their ECW run. Both Nova and The Blue Meanie weren't able to win championship gold in ECW, regardless of their involvement in the bWo.

NEXT: 5 Championships WWE Retired (& 5 They Brought Back)