WWE has always been about creating unforgettable moments, and nothing shocks fans more than a surprise championship victory. Over the years, there have been numerous instances where underdogs triumphed, legends fell, and unexpected superstars claimed the ultimate prize. These shocking moments have defined careers and left the WWE Universe in awe. Here, we count down some of the most shocking WWE Championship wins of all time that changed the course of wrestling history forever.
1. Brock Lesnar Destroys John Cena – SummerSlam 2014
When John Cena walked into SummerSlam 2014 as WWE World Heavyweight Champion, many expected a competitive battle against Brock Lesnar. However, what followed was one of the most dominant and shocking squash matches in WWE history. From the opening bell, Lesnar overwhelmed Cena with sheer brutality, delivering a relentless barrage of German suplexes—16 in total—that left Cena helpless. Fans were stunned as Cena, WWE’s franchise player, was completely dismantled in a one-sided match. After an F5, Lesnar pinned Cena and captured the championship, proving his dominance in a way that had never been seen before. The WWE Universe was left speechless as Cena, who had overcome countless challenges before, was utterly destroyed in the biggest match of the summer.
2. Seth Rollins’ Heist of the Century – WrestleMania 31
WrestleMania 31 will forever be remembered for one of the greatest and most shocking Money in the Bank cash-ins in WWE history. The main event featured Brock Lesnar defending his WWE Championship against Roman Reigns in an intense battle of power and resilience. Both men delivered brutal offense, with Lesnar dominating early and Reigns mounting a late comeback. Just when it seemed like either man could win, Seth Rollins’ music hit, and the crowd erupted as he sprinted down the ramp with his Money in the Bank briefcase. Rollins cashed in mid-match, turning the bout into a Triple Threat. He capitalized on the carnage, delivering a Curb Stomp to Roman Reigns and pinning him to steal the WWE Championship. The unexpected twist and sheer brilliance of the cash-in made this one of the most exhilarating moments in WrestleMania history.
3. Jinder Mahal Becomes WWE Champion – Backlash 2017
Few superstars had as meteoric a rise as Jinder Mahal in 2017. After years of being relegated to WWE’s lower mid-card, Mahal’s sudden push to the main event scene shocked the WWE Universe. At Backlash 2017, Mahal faced WWE Champion Randy Orton, a veteran and multi-time champion, in a title match that most believed would be a routine victory for Orton. However, thanks to interference from The Singh Brothers and a perfectly timed Khallas finisher, Mahal pinned Orton and won the WWE Championship. Fans around the world were stunned—how did a superstar who had been struggling for years suddenly become the face of the company? Mahal’s unexpected reign proved that anything can happen in WWE, and his victory remains one of the most surprising title changes in history.
4. Eddie Guerrero’s Emotional Victory – No Way Out 2004
One of the most heartfelt and shocking championship wins came at No Way Out 2004, when Eddie Guerrero defeated Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Championship. Guerrero was seen as the underdog against Lesnar, who was in his prime and had been steamrolling through competition. However, in a match filled with resilience and passion, Eddie fought back with everything he had. The turning point came when Goldberg interfered, spearing Lesnar and allowing Guerrero to capitalize. With the crowd on their feet, Guerrero hit a Frog Splash from the top rope, secured the pin, and captured the championship. The underdog story, Guerrero’s emotional reaction, and the sheer shock of him defeating such a dominant force like Lesnar made this one of the most unforgettable moments in WWE history.
5. The Miz Cashes In on Randy Orton – RAW (2010)
When The Miz won the Money in the Bank briefcase in 2010, few believed he had what it took to become WWE Champion. However, on a November episode of Monday Night RAW, Miz shocked the world by cashing in on a weakened Randy Orton, who had just defended his title in a grueling match. The crowd erupted in disbelief as Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale and pinned Orton to win his first WWE Championship. While many fans initially doubted The Miz as a credible champion, his unexpected victory proved that he belonged at the top. The sight of Miz holding the title high while fans either celebrated or cried in shock remains one of the most unexpected and talked-about championship wins ever.
6. Daniel Bryan’s Miracle at WrestleMania 30
Daniel Bryan’s road to the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 30 was one of the most inspiring underdog stories in WWE history. After being repeatedly denied opportunities by The Authority, Bryan had to fight through Triple H, Batista, and Randy Orton in the same night to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. In the main event, Bryan overcame interference, brutal assaults, and sheer exhaustion to finally make Batista tap out to the Yes Lock, securing the title. The sight of Bryan standing victorious while the entire Superdome chanted “YES! YES! YES!” was a moment of pure wrestling magic. This shocking and emotional win cemented Bryan as one of WWE’s greatest underdog champions.
7. Kofi Kingston’s KofiMania Moment – WrestleMania 35
Kofi Kingston’s WWE Championship win at WrestleMania 35 was a moment fans never expected to see. After more than a decade in WWE, Kingston was finally given his moment when he defeated Daniel Bryan in a classic match. Kofi’s journey to the title was filled with obstacles, but his perseverance and the overwhelming support from the WWE Universe made his victory one of the most memorable moments ever. The shock came not only from Kofi’s unexpected rise but from the sheer emotion behind it—a long-time fan favorite finally reaching the pinnacle of WWE.
8. Sheamus Stuns John Cena – TLC 2009
John Cena has been involved in many shocking moments, but his loss to Sheamus at TLC 2009 was particularly unexpected. Sheamus, a relative newcomer at the time, defeated Cena in a Tables Match to win the WWE Championship. The shocking part? Cena was sent crashing through a table accidentally, leading to an abrupt and surprising finish. Few expected Sheamus to rise so quickly, making this one of the most unpredictable title changes ever.
9. Vince McMahon Wins the WWE Championship – SmackDown (1999)
Yes, this actually happened! In 1999, Vince McMahon himself won the WWE Championship after defeating Triple H on an episode of SmackDown. Thanks to Stone Cold Steve Austin’s interference, McMahon pinned Triple H and shocked the wrestling world. While he vacated the title shortly after, the fact that the WWE Chairman held the company's top prize remains one of the most bizarre and unexpected title changes ever.
10. Big E Cashes in on Bobby Lashley – RAW (2021)
In one of the most heartwarming and unexpected moments in recent history, Big E cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on Bobby Lashley to win his first WWE Championship. The live crowd erupted as Big E, a longtime fan-favorite, achieved his lifelong dream. The shock factor came from how sudden and emotional the moment was, creating a lasting memory for the WWE Universe.
FAQs About The Most Shocking WWE Championship Wins of All Time
Q: What makes a WWE Championship win shocking?
A: A shocking WWE Championship win occurs when an unexpected superstar claims victory, often defeating a heavily favored opponent, cashing in a Money in the Bank briefcase, or overcoming overwhelming odds.
Q: Has a WWE Chairman ever won the championship?
A: Yes, Vince McMahon won the WWE Championship on SmackDown in 1999 after defeating Triple H with help from Stone Cold Steve Austin. However, he vacated the title soon after.
Q: What was the most unexpected Money in the Bank cash-in?
A: Many fans consider Seth Rollins’ WrestleMania 31 cash-in as the most shocking, as he inserted himself into the main event and stole the championship from Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns.
Q: Has a first-time WWE Champion ever won in shocking fashion?
A: Yes, several superstars like Jinder Mahal, Sheamus, and Big E won their first WWE Championship in shocking upsets, proving that anything can happen in WWE.
Q: What was the fastest shocking WWE Championship victory?
A: One of the quickest and most shocking wins occurred when Sheamus defeated Daniel Bryan in just 18 seconds at WrestleMania 28 to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
Q: How did Eddie Guerrero’s WWE Championship win shock the world?
A: Eddie Guerrero’s win at No Way Out 2004 was shocking because he overcame Brock Lesnar, one of the most dominant champions at the time, in an emotional and hard-fought underdog victory.
Q: Has a WWE Championship ever changed hands on a regular episode of RAW or SmackDown?
A: Yes, The Miz’s Money in the Bank cash-in on Randy Orton in 2010 and Vince McMahon’s shocking win over Triple H in 1999 are prime examples of major title changes happening on weekly television.
Final Thoughts
WWE thrives on shocking moments, and these championship wins prove that anything can happen in professional wrestling. Which WWE Championship win shocked you the most? Let us know in the comments!
