Every wrestler that receives a WWE World Championship reign dreams of having a long championship run, but not every wrestler is fortunate of having a long stint as a champion. Some title reigns are much shorter than necessary.

When a new WWE World Champion is crowned, they are expected to take the company to new heights and most importantly turn themselves into a certified main eventer. However, there are some WWE World Champions who wish their world championship reign would last a long time to gain some traction, but they are unable to have a meaningful run with the title, as the plug is pulled early on in their world championship reign.

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A lot of first-time WWE World Champions have struggled with their maiden WWE World Championship reign as the pressure has been too much to deal with. In some instances, they have been booked poorly, and others have been transitional champions. Nevertheless, the all-time great WWE World Champions get multiple bites at the cherry to put things right, but these championship reigns should have been given a lot more time to become great.

10 The Miz - WWE Championship (Second Reign, 2021)

The Miz WWE Champ 2021 Cropped

The Miz waited patiently for his second WWE Championship reign as he successfully cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase for the second time, this time on Drew McIntyre at Elimination Chamber 2021. Surprisingly, this was The Miz's first WWE Championship reign in over a decade, and he deserved to have a long run with the championship.

Miz's WWE Title reign only lasted eight days as he was a transitional champion. Bobby Lashley gave him a helping hand in his WWE Title triumph in the first place, and Lashley was the man who ended his run on the March 1, 2021 episode of Raw.

9 Roman Reigns - WWE Championship (Second Reign, 2015-16)

Roman Reigns WWE Champion 2nd Reign Cropped

At Survivor Series 2015, Roman Reigns was a victim of a Money in the Bank cash-in as Sheamus rained on his parade, and halted his first WWE Championship reign. Weeks later, The Big Dog captured his second WWE Title reign at Sheamus' expense which was a long time coming.

Although fans detested Reigns, he was the right choice to carry the company as the WWE Champion. He feuded with The Authority, and he was forced to defend his WWE Championship in a 30-man Royal Rumble match. Reigns was eliminated by eventual champion Triple H, and his second WWE Title reign lasted a meek 41 days.

8 Bret Hart - WWE Championship (Fourth Reign, 1997)

Bret-Hart-4th-WWF-Championship-reign-Cropped-1

Shawn Michaels lost his smile which led to him vacating the WWE Championship. However, Bret Hart was the beneficiary as he captured his fourth WWE Championship at In Your House: Final Four. The Hitman overcame Steve Austin, The Undertaker, and Vader for another run as WWE Champion in a competitive main event.

Hart was the perfect titleholder going into WrestleMania 13 considering Michaels' injury put the WWE Title picture into a state of panic. Ultimately, that did not materialize as Bret dropped the WWE Championship to Sid 24 hours later on an episode of Raw. The Excellence of Execution was feuding with Austin, and a feud over the WWE Title would have been remarkable to watch.

7 The Undertaker - WWE Championship (First Reign, 1991)

Undertaker WWF Champion 1991 Cropped

The Undertaker stunned Hulk Hogan at Survivor Series 1991 for his first spell as WWE Champion. This was a shocking title change, considering that The Hulkster was still at the top of his game and Undertaker was just one year into his WWE career.

RELATED: Every Undertaker World Title Win, Ranked Worst To Best

Nonetheless, Undertaker never needed a world championship to get over throughout his career. Since this was Undertaker's first major championship reign, it would have been interesting to see Undertaker hold the championship longer than just six days when he dropped the title back to Hogan at This Tuesday in Texas.

6 Daniel Bryan - WWE Championship (Second Reign, 2013)

Daniel Bryan WWE Champion 2013 Cropped

There was no babyface bigger than Daniel Bryan in 2013. The American Dragon's name constantly reverberated around arenas on Raw and SmackDown and it took over the majority of segments. Fans refused to be silenced, and it forced WWE to make Daniel Bryan the WWE Champion. Bryan quickly recaptured the WWE Championship from Randy Orton at Night of Champions 2013 for his second run as WWE Champion.

Unfortunately, he relinquished the title a night later as the finish at Night of Champions was controversial. Bryan was eased out of the WWE Title picture which was illogical, and he should have been WWE Champion for a longer period, as he proved his credentials as World Heavyweight Champion in 2011-12.

5 Bray Wyatt - WWE Championship (First Reign, 2017)

Bray Wyatt WWE Champion

Despite holding the WWE Championship once and becoming a two-time Universal Champion, Bray Wyatt's career in WWE should have been miles better as should have been his three WWE World Championship reigns. The Eater of Worlds finally got his hands on the prestigious WWE Championship when he prevailed in the Elimination Chamber at Elimination Chamber 2017.

Wyatt successfully defended the gold against John Cena and AJ Styles in a triple threat match, but that was the only notable title defense to boot. Wyatt clashed with his former disciple Randy Orton in a WWE Title match at WrestleMania 33, and The Viper picked up another pointless world championship reign that swatted Wyatt away from the main event scene for a couple of years.

4 Randy Orton - World Heavyweight Championship (First Reign, 2004)

Randy Orton Unforgiven 2004

Randy Orton defeated Chris Benoit for his first World Heavyweight Championship reign at SummerSlam 2004. This should have catapulted The Legend Killer to cement his spot as a main eventer and dominate Raw as World Heavyweight Champion.

RELATED: Randy Orton's 10 Best World Title Wins, Ranked Worst To Best

However, Orton's World Heavyweight Title reign did not go according to plan as he was booted out of Evolution, and he feuded with his former mentor Triple H. Orton turned face and his face run fell flat, but his reign lasted a disappointing 28 days with Triple H ending his reign at Unforgiven.

3 Christian - World Heavyweight Championship (First Reign, 2011)

Christian World Heavyweight Champion Cropped

It remained to be seen if Christian would ever capture a WWE World Championship in his WWE career, but he returned in 2009, and two years later he was in world championship contention. However, it was not under the circumstances that he would have liked as his best friend Edge retired with spinal stenosis, but Christian capitalized on an opportunity of a lifetime when he beat Alberto Del Rio for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship at Extreme Rules 2011 in a ladder match.

Captain Charisma would have been disappointed to see his World Heavyweight Championship reign come to a halt at the hands of Randy Orton. The Viper didn't need another world title reign at this stage of his career, but his feud with Christian over the Big Gold Belt was off the charts in the summer.

2 Jeff Hardy - WWE Championship (First Reign, 2008)

Jeff Hardy WWE Champion Cropped

At Armageddon 2008, fans finally got their wish when Jeff Hardy dethroned Edge and Triple H in a triple threat match for his maiden WWE Championship reign. The Charismatic Enigma had been on the precipice of greatness for some time, and the emotion was real and raw when he celebrated with fans in jubilant scenes.

Unfortunately, Hardy's WWE Title reign was incredibly lackluster, and he should have had a long run as WWE Champion. He was champion for six weeks but he dropped the WWE Championship back to Edge at the 2009 Royal Rumble, all thanks to his brother Matt costing him the title.

1 Edge - WWE Championship (First Reign, 2006)

Edge WWE Champion New Year's Revolution 2006 Cropped

Edge changed his tune towards the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 21 when he knew a world championship opportunity was at stake. Edge prevailed, and nine months later, he cashed in his MITB briefcase on a wounded John Cena at New Year's Revolution 2006 for his first WWE Championship reign.

The Rated R Superstar brought in ratings, but it was a shame that there was a sense of inevitability that he would drop the WWE Championship back to Big Match John at Royal Rumble 2006, three weeks later. Nevertheless, Edge solidified his spot as a main eventer, and he did his job as transitional champion on several occasions.