Being a champion in WWE is usually a great thing. However, it’s well known that not everyone is cut out for it. To be fair, it’s more 20/20 hindsight as a lot of guys who looked to be over enough as champion (Warrior, Diesel) faltered worse than expected when they actually got that shot. Other times, it’s obvious someone isn’t that deserving of the title spot but WWE pushes them anyway. JBL sure fits there but at least he’s moved on to being a fun commentator. It’s also known how far too many guys who are clearly deserving and massively over are ignored simply because WWE doesn’t have the right faith in them. Entire lists are composed of each but this is different as it examines former champs who shouldn’t be back there.

In some cases, it’s because their title reigns were flops. But others did have successful runs yet their age and long tenures in the company hurt them badly. To fans, these guys had their chance, it stunk and they don’t want to see them again, no matter what. Meanwhile, there are guys deserving to be champion and fans hope WWE can wake up and see it (they did finally come around to AJ Styles as the top guy). As WrestleMania moves on and plans for titles shift about (Nakamura seemingly ready to reign), it’s more interesting to look at today. Here are 10 former WWE Champions no one wants back in that slot and 8 we hope make it to show how different things are for this company.

18 Hope Will Be: Bobby Roode

One of the biggest botches in TNA was in 2011 when they spent months building up Bobby Roode as the big face to beat Kurt Angle for the title. But the day of the show, Hulk Hogan tweeted about Roode “not being ready yet” so he lost the match. He then won the belt but was turned heel to ruin that build. To his credit, Roode did great as a heel champion, absolutely fantastic on the mic and good in the ring. He was bounced around for a bit before finally leaving, surprising given his long term with the company.

He joined NXT and was meant to be a heel. However, his absolutely fantastic “Glorious” theme song got fans going and while he won the NXT title, he was soon something of a face. He proved himself in feuds with Nakamura and others and his debut to the main roster was terrific. His recent US title run shows Roode has the goods and can easily be a guy on top. If nothing else, seeing his entrances as champion would truly be glorious for fans.

17 Never Want: Randy Orton

The Viper has proven himself in WWE, despite his affinity for injuries and some bad behavior. When he gets motivated, Orton can be a fantastic worker and still amaze with great matches and his RKO remains one of the most awesome finishers around. But he’s also a clear case of a guy who’s had so many shots at the big time already yet WWE insists on pushing him even when fans are a bit tired. His victory for the belt in 2017 was horribly received, fans utterly confused as to why Orton would be the one to beat Bray Wyatt when there were plenty of fresher guys around to get that shot. That he lost it to Jinder Mahal made less sense and Orton continues to be in the mix.

His recent US title win seemed to be just “the only belt he didn’t have”, ignoring the promise of Bobby Roode’s reign. Given Orton’s tendency to get injured at bad times, keeping him in the main title mix doesn’t seem logical on various levels.

16 Never Want: Alberto Del Rio

It may seem crazy but rumors are that WWE is interested in hiring back Alberto Del Rio. That may seem insane given the man’s time in the company was not well received. You’d think the stuff with Paige would also be a deal killer but WWE has shown themselves amazingly forgiving in the past. The issue is that fans never bought Del Rio as champion. He kept going on about his “destiny” but not really backing it up, his tenure rather rough with bad challengers and trying to make him a face didn’t take as his arrogant style was better suited for a heel. Yet his tenures as World and WWE champion failed to click with fans and drove him to TNA. That’s also been rough and thus, while he may get another shot, fans aren’t eager to see Del Rio back in WWE, let alone as champion once more.

15 Hope Will Be: Kevin Owens

By all reports, Triple H has had to fight Vince McMahon a lot on Kevin Owens. The man is beefy and more technical than others, not the guy Vince would want to push. But Hunter’s instincts are right as Owens was fantastic, first in NXT with his great title feuds with Sami Zayn, Finn Balor and others. Moving to the main roster, Owens benefited from Balor’s injury to win the Universal title and do a good job as champion. His program with Chris Jericho was fantastic and truly elevated Owens up big time. Thus, fans were outraged he lost the title in seconds to Goldberg just to set up the “epic” Goldberg/Brock rematch.

Owens did get the US title but it seems quite wrong that he’s been pushed down majorly given his fantastic star power and proven ability. This man more than deserves another run, this time on SmackDown but even the Universal belt should be another option for him.

14 Never Want: Kane

You have to credit Glenn Jacobs for taking what looked to be a one-note character and making him a long-lasting star. The Big Red Machine has been a huge winner for WWE, either as a face or heel, masked or open, the “corporate guy” or the pure monster. He can still surprise with stuff like his great team with Daniel Bryan. However, it’s obvious that Kane’s time as a serious star has long faded. Yet WWE continues to use him and push him, including the baffling bit of him crushing Finn Balor in 2017 despite how over Balor was.

He’s still in there, facing off against Brock in title matches despite how most would prefer he be out of the mix. Given that Jacobs is moving into politics, his continued push make even less sense and the idea of him having another title run would be too much to take for a company that should be looking to the future more than the past.

13 Never Want: Sheamus

WWE really wanted to push the Celtic Warrior well. It still amazes many he won the 2012 Royal Rumble over a large field of contenders although the Mania match with Daniel Bryan was a total letdown. The problem is that Sheamus has never quite gotten over as a singles character. His runs as champion have been messy, notably in 2015 which was just an excuse to try and get Roman more over by losing the belt and then beating Sheamus later but it didn’t work out. Right now, Sheamus is actually seeing a new push as he and Cesaro have surprised many by forming a truly great tag team.

The Bar have been great on the mic and four-time champions, clicking nicely and thus far better for Sheamus than his main event runs were. There’s still worries WWE might try him again which few want as Sheamus never worked as a main event star.

12 Hope Will Be: Sami Zayn

One of the best moves of Triple H was bringing in the long-popular El Generico to NXT. But just as important was his convincing Sami Zayn to drop the mask, arguing it would hold him back. Hunter has been proven right as Zayn has been one of the hotter talents of WWE. His NXT run was fantastic with terrific feuds with Neville and Kevin Owens and he had a good run as a headliner. On the main roster, he showed off well against John Cena and others and doing a fine job with his upbeat energy. The program of him and Owens reuniting as friends has been quite good and Zayn is still a favorite with fans with his over-the-top obnoxious gusto. A title run seems overdue for him, a guy who’s long been deserving of huge success and with his skills and being so over with fans, Sami should be flying as high as he was in NXT or the indies.

11 Never Want: John Cena

John Cena has proven his worth majorly for WWE. He has shown he can handle the pressures of being their face, a great champion, fantastic worker and promote the company well. He’s also been hailed for his great charity work with Make-A-Wish and others to get good attention for the company. Cena can prove his doubters wrong with still going well in the ring but it’s obvious fans are more than sick of him being on top. It’s obvious why as WWE loves Cena and all he’s done, a great company man and also dependable to carry them. But it’s also just as clear how fans are tired of him being pushed so much (see the “John Cena Sucks” chant in time with his music).

To his credit, Cena is able to work with this and even mock fans who are then forced to cheer him on after a good performance. It really seems WWE is intent on Cena setting the record for world title runs but the fans think it’s more than past time Cena gave Hollywood a try rather than headline another Mania.

10 Hope Will Be: Adam Cole

One of the most popular guys on the indie circuit, Adam Cole has had stardom written all over him. He showed it off in Japan and then ROH, fans loving his arrogance, his mic skills and chanting his “Adam Cole Bay-Bay!” line out. His debut at NXT Takeover Brooklyn III was huge as he and the Undisputed Era soon showed themselves as the next big force in the promotion. While Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly are good as the tag champs, Cole is clearly being pushed for a possible NXT title run which fans would love.

Yet his appearance at the Royal Rumble shows he’s just as ready for the main brands as well. He can easily be the next mega-heel champion with his style and skills and eat the camera alive in his promos. He’s being groomed more for NXT but one can easily hope Cole is a champ for the main brands as well.

9 Never Want: Big Show

It’s pretty clear Big Show’s time is running down. He’s been in the business over 20 years and put up with slews of injuries. He should be credited as one of the better big men in wrestling history, actually pretty athletic in his youth. He’s also a great entertainer, truly funny and whether as face or heel, he can be a top guy. But more than a few fans are feeling it’s long past time he had a removal from major programs. His runs as a champ aren’t terrible but not really memorable either and the fact he keeps getting some pushes when there's younger talent seems off as well.

Big Show has had a great career, but it’s obvious his time as a main eventer is long past. Thus, to see Show with a title again, even if it’s a reward for his long service, isn’t something fans want as long past time the Show rang the curtain down.

8 Hope Will Be: Samoa Joe

That WWE has yet to pull the trigger on him is amazing. For years, Joe was a major star, first for ROH then for TNA. His size belied his fantastic technical skills, good on the mic and an overall presence few could replicate. His wars in TNA against AJ Styles and Kurt Angle were fantastic and fans loved to imagine him in WWE. He finally debuted on NXT and looked terrific with top notch feuds against Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura to get fans going and holding the NXT title. Yet it seems off that he’s yet to be given a major title run on RAW or SmackDown. He was far more deserving of it than, say, Jinder Mahal and should have gotten a title run by now.

Some speculate Vince McMahon isn’t big on Joe because he doesn’t fit the WWE model but fans would adore him on the top. The idea of Joe and Styles reviving their classic feud for WWE is great and fans would love to see Joe add a WWE championship to his long list of accolades.

7 Never Want: Jeff Hardy

Few guys have had all the ingredients for stardom only to blow it time and again like Jeff Hardy. He was fantastic with his work with brother Matt, a daredevil whose stunts could blow away fans. He had a good shot at first in the singles ranks but decided to leave for TNA. He returned to WWE in late 2007 and plans seemed to push him more for a title run. But in early 2008, Jeff was busted for drug possession, hurting his drive. Another TNA run followed which included the infamous trainwreck of the Victory Road 2011 debacle.

Jeff finally made his return in 2017 with Matt to win the tag titles and once more wow fans with his work. An injury pushed him down but plans seemed to be underway for another singles run. But then Jeff had to get busted on a DUI once more which seems to be another nail in his coffin. The man has proven he just can’t handle a major main event position, too pulled in by his demons and other issues and because of that, WWE is a lot better off just letting him go than continuing to push him.

6 Hope Will: Braun Strowman

Rising up from simply the Wyatt Family to a serious star, Braun Strowman has been catching fire with WWE fans big time. His beat-downs of Roman Reign and the impressive ambulance flip stunt made him an instant favorite as he’s fantastic as a true monster. But the man also has some fun dynamics in his character and even flashes of humor. See his hysterical playing a bass against Elias Samson or his delightful interactions with Alexa Bliss, that’s real charisma you can’t replicate. This is the man WWE should be pushing a lot more than Roman Reigns and the fans are responding to him majorly, a true powerhouse who could be an effective champion. A title run seems just in the cards and give Braun the major shot fans want as they much would prefer him on top than the tired Roman once more.

5 Never Want: Triple H

Triple H is a complex figure. No one can deny his star power or how he can still be very capable in the ring. But there’s also the long-standing accusations of his spotlight-hogging and making everything about him. That has lessened in recent years as his work promoting NXT has made the brand a sensation and many credit him with letting go of his attitude. But it still pops up, notably in 2016 when Triple H won the WWE title at the Rumble to lose it to Roman at WrestleMania. Fans didn’t take it well, a return of the old Hunter, getting a run with the title and a WrestleMania main event spot over younger and more deserving talent. That included a bad return to the ring at the 2017 Survivor Series that had him coming off the huge victor at the end. To be fair, Hunter seems more suited to running NXT today but fans are worried he may want one more run at the top despite how few want to see it.

4 Hope Will: Finn Balor

For years, Prince Devitt was a major guy in the indies with his great skills and wild entrances. In NXT, he grew hotter as Finn Balor and his “Demon” persona soon had fans going crazy. After a fantastic feud with Kevin Owens, Finn jumped to RAW and the plans were for him to take off huge. He beat Seth Rollins for the inaugural Universal title but a horrible shoulder injury in that match meant he had to give up the title just a day later. Since his return, Balor has been often ignored, some good matches but lost in the mix as WWE continues to push Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns. Balor is still capable of great matches and stunning fan reactions and should be pushed to the top as WWE owes him another run. One can hope they get the message as The Demon deserves to complete that  run that was cut short.

3 Never Want: Roman Reigns

This is probably a faint hope as it’s obvious the plan is for Roman to win the belt again. Once more, the problem isn’t that he can’t be main event material; he can be. But WWE has ruined it with bad booking and characterization. Worse is how Vince McMahon is convinced beyond reason that Roman can be the face of the company despite how it’s obvious fans will never buy him that way. The man is better suited as the Braun Strowman like monster who crushes guys, not the smiling classic babyface vanquishing all odds (that doesn’t work as well when you’re as beefed up as Roman is).

His title reigns have failed in the past but WWE is intent on letting him continue to main event as champion even though the crowd reactions say otherwise. It’s going to be another run at the top for Roman but it just shows how WWE is ignoring what fans want to continue an experiment that’s gone bad already.

2 Never Want: Jinder Mahal

An obvious choice. It’s one thing for WWE to give a fresh face a shot at the top. It’s something far different to take a long-time jobber and, in just weeks, turn him into WWE Champion. From day one, no one bought this at all and it was clearly WWE trying to win favor with audiences in India. The guy just came off lame and trying way too hard with no real impact, relying on outside interference to keep his title. To put him constantly over more deserving guys like Nakamura and others was ridiculous and fans didn’t take to it at all.

That’s not to mention horrors like the Punjabi Prison match and Mahal crossing the line with racist taunts on Nakamura. It’s simply astounding WWE kept it up and fans were overjoyed when Mahal finally lost the title to AJ Styles. But he’s still threatening a return to the top despite how no fan wants to see another run for Mahal again.

1 Hope Will: Big E

Big E hasn't gotten a chance to sniff individual gold on the main roster since the formation of The New Day, but he did enjoy an Intercontinental title run, and he was the reigning NXT Champion about five years ago. Big E has really grown as a performer in recent years and has proven himself to have a lot of charisma and is a solid enough ring worker to carry a main title. The only thing holding him back is being a part of a stable, but if any member of The New Day should be given a big singles push, it should be Big E. He holds a lot of potential as a babyface champion with the ideal size and charisma Vince likes in his champions.