Not everyone can be a World Heavyweight Champion. In the wrestling world, some of the best world champions were the ones who grinded things out in the territories, honing their craft and traveling the world. By the time a promoter decided to put the world title on them, they were primed and ready and the promotion trusted them implicitly to be the big face of the company.

Related: 10 Wrestlers Who Were Gifted Titles

For these stars, it might have taken them a little longer to be crowned the world champion, but once it happened they never looked back on their way to immortality. Each of them seemingly only got even better after they won their first title.

10 Bret Hart - 35 Years, 3 Months, 5 Days

Bret Hart WWF Champion

Perhaps because it happened at “just a house show” in Saskatoon, but it did seem like Bret Hart becoming world champion came out of left field. However, it was something that most ardent Pink And Black Attack fans had been waiting to happen for years. Once The Hitman did topple The Nature Boy for his first world title win, the brass got behind Bret Hart and realized what fans already knew. The best there is, was, and ever will be was exactly that for the WWE.

9 Shawn Michaels - 30 Years, 8 Months, 9 Days

First Title - Shawn

While it certainly seemed that Shawn Michaels becoming world champion was a no brainer, in recent years fans have learned a lot about HBK from 1995 and 96.

Related: 10 Ways Shawn Michaels Failed WWE

Firstly, Vince McMahon for some reason didn’t see HBK in that spot and kept telling his right and left hands, Bruce Prichard and Pat Patterson to stop trying to push for Michaels to be the man. But once Vince came around on Shawn, the rocket ship was strapped and blasted him down the zip line into glory at WrestleMania XII.

8 Ric Flair - 32 Years, 6 Months, 23 Days

First Title - Flair

The measuring stick for true greatness in wrestling in a lot of ways is still The Nature Boy, Ric Flair. The 16 time world champion is the last true traveling world champion. From the AWA, NWA, WCW, WWE, and all points in between, ol’ Slick Ric brought his Midas touch anywhere and everywhere. His first ever world title helped to jumpstart a rivalry that would last for decades. Flair defeated The American Dream at a house show for the NWA title at 32 years old. We know that would be far from his last world title.

7 Stone Cold Steve Austin - 33 Years, 3 Months, 11 Days

Stone Cold slams Shawn

For fans who had watched the transformation of Stunning Steve Austin all the way to Stone Cold, they knew full well it wasn’t a matter of if he’d ever be world champion. It was a question of when.

Related: Stone Cold's First 10 WWE PPV Matches, Ranked From Worst To Best

The Austin Era finally began at WrestleMania XIV, when at 33 years old, The Rattlesnake defeated Shawn Michaels for his first WWE title. It was culmination of nearly two years of Austin 3:16 and the continued dominance of still the biggest star WWE has ever seen.

6 Triple H - 30 Years, 27 Days

First Title - Triple H

Hunter Hearst Helmsley was seen as Shawn’s little buddy until he began leading his own version of DX. Once he turned on his brothers and declared himself The Game, Triple H became nearly unstoppable. It wasn’t long past his 30th birthday when the night after SummerSlam 1999, Triple H defeated Mankind for his first world title for the entire Raw audience to see. From that moment on, Hunter was established as a main event player and positioned himself as the company's top heel through the rest of the Attitude Era.

5 Mick Foley - 33 Years, 6 Months, 28 Days

Mankind WWE CHampion

Somewhere in the world, there is a talented satirist who can write “The Night The Channels Changed (Butts In Seats)” to the tune of Billy Joel’s “Miami 2017 (I’ve See The Lights Go Out On Broadway).” Through the epicness of all of Mick Foley’s hard work finally paying off by him defeating The Rock to become the WWE Champion was only met by Tony Schiavone inadvertently telling all of the fans watching Nitro to watch Raw instead. Mick Foley bled all over the world and finally won the big one at 33 years old.

4 Drew McIntyre - 34 Years, 9 Months, 20 Days

First Title - Drew

Stupid pandemic. “Gallantry” was supposed to ring out through Raymond James Stadium in 2020. Drew McIntyre was supposed to have his massive moment in front of at least 70,000 members of the WWE Universe. After years of fighting and clawing and scratching, McInytre finally came to realize Vince McMahon’s initial vision of him as the Chosen One. Though the empty arena was a bit of a downer, with or without fans, Drew McIntyre was able to topple The Beast, Brock Lesnar at 34 years old.

3 Dean Ambrose - 30 Years, 6 Months, 11 Days

First Title - Mox

Once upon a time, AEW’s Jon Moxley was WWE’s Dean Ambrose. Despite being an unwieldy Lunatic Fringe, Ambrose was one of the big hits with the fans as part of The Shield. Based on stories and apparent booking, it was apparent that Ambrose wasn’t as chosen as his Shield brothers, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. Which might be why he didn’t win his first title until hitting the 30 year mark, cashing in against Seth Rollins.

2 Chris Jericho - 31 Years, 1 Month

First Title - Y2J

When you defeat both The Rock and Stone Cold in the same night to unify the WWE and WCW "World" championships, it is an accomplishment that you can boast about any time you’d like.

Related: Chris Jericho's First 10 WWE PPV Matches, Ranked From Worst To Best

One full month after turning 31 years old, Y2J shut up a slew of critics and pulled off the ultimate victory. He might have wound up eating cold pizza that fell on the floor to celebrate, but the big moment at Vengeance officially made Jericho a made man.

1 Edge - 32 Years, 2 Months, 9 Days

First Title - Edge

For nine months and five days, Edge lugged around the original Money In The Bank briefcase. It got to the point where it was just part of his presentation. No fan had anticipated the shocking and now iconic moment at New Year’s Revolution 2006 when Edge would cash in against John Cena. The then-32 year old spent the next five years dominating the championship scene before being forced to take a nine year sabbatical.

Next: The nWo: 10 Members, Ranked By In-Ring Skills