Among the various other events of 2020 in WWE, an overlooked one was Apollo Crews winning the U.S. title. This allowed Crews to finally escape the ranks of "NXT stars without any belts." These days, it's hard to find a major player in WWE who hasn't gotten any title runs. Between NXT, 205 Live, U.K., and the main roster's belts, many a star has worn gold, if briefly. The 24/7 title counts with a few guys earning a run (even if it was only minutes).
Yet, there remain some notable names in WWE who have yet to win a title of any sort for various reasons. A few are fresher faces, but it's surprising how some are workers who have been around for a while and even gotten big pushes but never any gold. Some are more than overdue for a belt of some sort while others can still earn a belt, but it is surprising these 11 workers have yet to wear any WWE gold.
10 Humberto Carrillo
It looked like Humberto Carrillo was going to get a championship in early 2020, but that didn't come to be. After breaking out on 205 Live, Carrillo was given a considerable push, feuding with Andrade over the U.S. Title. Yet despite numerous chances, Carrillo never won the belt.
Carrillo also failed to gain any gold in NXT or 205 Live. It's weird for WWE to have given such a push to someone who didn't pay off with a title run, and Carrillo may see his star fading more in 2021.
9 Dana Brooke
It's weird how Dana Brooke has been around for so long but has not come to any championship success. As both a gymnast and weightlifter, she has an impressive athletic background, and her real-life struggles make for a great story to push her.
Yet Dana is stuck as just the random lady to throw into multi-women fights like Money in the Bank or a battle royale. One would think by now she'd have gotten a tag title run with a random partner, and she's still sticking in there even if she's yet to come close to any title success.
8 Lars Sullivan
Granted, Lars Sullivan has his...issues. But that doesn't take away from how he's also a powerful persona with great charisma and a powerhouse heel. One would have expected him to at least gain an NXT title. Meanwhile, his main roster push has been hampered a bit.
Yet, Sullivan is a guy who'd be a great heel U.S. or I.C. Champ with even a 24/7 Title run fitting him. It hasn't happened yet, which is surprising as adding a title would make Sullivan more of a fearsome presence in WWE.
7 The Riott Squad
Ruby Riott has been one of the most consistently overlooked women on WWE's roster for years. While held back by injuries, she's also immensely talented and a great look. Liv Morgan likewise is sharp in the ring and did have a mild boost with a makeover.
Now reunited, The Riott Squad is currently on a roll to try and gain the Women's Tag Team Titles. It would be nice if 2021 has them finally claiming some belts and erasing the years of losses both have endured.
6 Mustafa Ali
One of the best workers on 205 Live to not get the Cruiserweight Title, Mustafa Ali seemed a great fit for the belt. He was sharp in the ring, a cool look, and could do promos well. Yet he kept coming up short, challenging for the title and later challenging for the U.S. and I.C. titles.
But even the 24/7 Belt has eluded Ali. He is getting a new push as leader of Retribution, so it's plausible he could add a title in the future, but it seems odd this talented guy didn't take off as a Cruiserweight Champion by now.
5 Lana
Lana seems a lady primed to have held a title of some sort in WWE by now. The stunningly gorgeous blonde is good as either the "Russian" manager or a solo worker. 2020 has been rough (and not just for her husband Rusev being cut) but also angles of her being beaten up a lot by Nia Jax.
Still, it would have been logical for WWE to have given Lana a shot at some title by now (if Carmella could be SmackDown Women's Champion, most anyone could). That could change, yet Lana is likely beltless for a while.
4 Otis
2020 was a big year for Otis, starting with the fun romantic storyline of him and Mandy Rose getting along well. He then surprisingly won Money in the Bank, although he ended up losing his MITB briefcase to The Miz.
There was also the breakup of Heavy Machinery, making them one of the more notable teams never to hold tag titles of any kind. Even Tucker got a run as 24/7 Champion while Otis still remains without a title despite the big pushes he's been getting.
3 Candice LeRae
After being known mostly as "Mrs. Johnny Gargano," Candice LeRae has seriously stepped up her game in WWE. Her performances in WarGames and other bouts have been terrific and her new arrogant heel turn is doing better than expected.
With Johnny Wrestling as North American Champion, making Candice the NXT Women's titleholder makes total sense, so it's a bit surprising they haven't pulled the trigger on that yet. Even as she recovers from an injury, Candice could become champ to be on equal footing with her husband.
2 Dominik Dijakovic (T-Bar)
He's everything Vince McMahon loves in his wrestlers: huge, handsome, a major build, and even good charisma. Dominik Dijakovic surely should have had some title run in WWE, whether a singles belt or tag team title. He has been held back by some injuries but still showed great promise.
Dijakovic showed his stuff in WarGames and a promising feud with Keith Lee that was cut short by another injury. Now part of Retribution as T-Bar, it's possible Dominik gets some title, yet it is surprising it would have taken nearly four years in WWE for that to happen.
1 Bianca Belair
It's baffling that the "EST of WWE" never got a run with the NXT Women's Title. Bianca Belair is the full package, powerful, skilled, notable with her style and long ponytail, and great on the mic. She had a few shots at the belt but came up short before jumping to the main roster.
Belair hasn't fully connected yet despite her fabulous presence, but it would be fantastic to add a title belt to her already terrific style. If nothing else, it would be good for the "EST" to live up to her name.