The greatest WWE Champions: Were they better bad or good?
In “I, Frankenstein,” the legendary monster is embroiled in an ancient war between two factions. Although he is classically known as an abomination, Frankenstein’s monster has spent 200 years torn between the choice of siding with good or evil in an effort to battle his enemies.
This struggle parallels a number WWE Champions who have reigned as both a hero and a villain in an effort to prove their might. WWE.com looks at eight of these unique individuals and question which end of the spectrum was more effective, presented by “I, Frankenstein” in theaters Jan. 24.
CM Punk
While CM Punk has certainly proven himself to be an extremely formidable WWE Champion, his greatest reign took place when he was absolutely despised.
The rise of CM Punk playlist | The year of WWE Champion CM Punk playlist
Case in point, The Best in The World carried out the majority of his historic 434 days WWE Title reign as the “bad guy,” surviving in feverish contests that included Triple Threat, Steel Cage and Tables, Ladder & Chairs Matches. He would never have been able to maintain his epic supremacy as long as he did — amid such extreme circumstances — if he hadn’t been willing to fracture the occasional rule along the way.
And Punk’s greatness during this time would go far beyond the win/loss column, as the revolutionary titleholder also battled “disrespect” by attacking The Rock and also verbally put beloved WWE Hall of Famers like Jerry Lawler and Bret Hart in their place. And in the midst of all this, he created an extremely powerful partnership with universally loathed advocate Paul Heyman. Could he have done any of these things if he had cared about staying in the narrow confines of doing what his fans wanted him to?
Better bad or good? BAD
Triple H
Triple H's hard-hitting pedigrees playlist | The Game's greatest rivalries playlist
As a World Champion, The Cerebral Assassin furthered the causes of both good and evil. From his controversial, Corporation-aided first WWE Championship in 1999, to his epic return and Undisputed Championship victory over Chris Jericho in 2002, the sure-fire future WWE Hall of Famer has given the WWE Universe plenty of reasons to both boo and cheer throughout his legendary career.
Although The Game has often been a beloved WWE fan favorite, his most memorable title reigns saw him at his vicious, unrestrained, butt-kicking best. Full of swagger, intensity and attitude, Triple H was one of the most bad-ass World Champions in WWE history, and it speaks to his sweeping career that titles are only part of his impressive — and growing — legacy.
All hail the king.
Better bad or good? BAD
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
"Stone Cold” Steve Austin was an incredibly complex man. He rose to superstardom as WWE’s everyman — the blue collar hero battling WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon for his piece of the pie. The Texas Rattlesnake was, quite literally, living the working man’s dream as he captured the WWE Championship at WrestleMania XIV.
"Stone Cold's" biggest stunners playlist
But the power that comes with being WWE’s marquee Superstar can corrupt even the most righteous man. By 2001, Austin was desperate to regain the WWE Title and hold onto it for as long as possible. He desired the title so much that he partnered up with Mr. McMahon to regain it at WrestleMania X-Seven.
He descended into paranoia, snapping at anyone who looked at his title the wrong way. Though Austin’s manic state gave birth to one of his more popular catchprases — “WHAT?” — it was The Bionic Redneck’s time as a hero that enamored a generation of wrestling fans, who still beg Austin for one more match.
Better bad or good? GOOD
Batista
However, a handful of injuries sidelined The Animal in 2007 and 2008 and he was never able to reclaim the World Heavyweight Championship. After turning his back on Rey Mysterio, The Animal seized an opportunity provided by Mr. McMahon and defeated John Cena for the WWE Championship following The Cenation leader’s success in a grueling Elimination Chamber Match.
As WWE Champion, Batista’s ego inflated as he believed he was meant to be the face of WWE — not Cena. Unfortunately for The Animal, he lost the title at WrestleMania and failed to reclaim it against at Extreme Rules and WWE Over the Limit. Following his second defeat, Batista left WWE for nearly four years. Given the stark contrast between his World Title and WWE Title reigns, Batista does much better with the support of the WWE Universe.
Better bad or good? GOOD
The Rock
The Rock's WrestleMania moments playlist
Ultimately, The Rock lost the championship to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at WrestleMania XV. However, with each interview, The Rock’s gift for gab led to WWE fans cheering him and The Corporation turning their back on him.
With the WWE Universe now chanting his name, The Rock was a more effective WWE Champion. He rarely needed an assist to ensure victory and won the WWE Title an additional four times. In addition, The Rock claimed the WCW Championship twice before going on hiatus from the ring. In 2013, The Great One challenged the longest reigning WWE Champion in modern history — CM Punk — at the Royal Rumble and, with the WWE Universe in his corner, won his eighth WWE Championship.
There is no doubt that when the millions — and millions — of his fans chant his name, The Rock is truly The People’s Champ.
Better bad or good? GOOD
Shawn Michaels
HBK's greatest matches playlist
However, with the formation of D-Generation X and the infamous events of The Montreal Screwjob, HBK’s arrogance became more prominent and hewas willing to do anything to be WWE Champion. With DX cohorts Triple H and Chyna ensuring his reign remain intact, Michaels managed to deter the likes of Ken Shamrock and The Undertaker to remain champion. Eventually, the rise of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin led many fans to turn their backs completely on HBK and the original incarnation of DX, ending in The Texas Rattlesnake’s WWE Championship victory against Michaels at WrestleMania XIV.
Better bad or good? BAD
Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle's WWE career highlights playlist
When WCW and ECW invaded in 2001, Angle became a crusader for WWE and won the WCW Championship. But Angle’s “good side” was short-lived as he eventually turned on WWE and joined The Alliance. Reclaiming the WWE Championship at Armageddon 2002 from Big Show, The Olympic Hero was back on top as he forged an alliance with Brock Lesnar. However, The Beast’s Royal Rumble Match victory led to a lengthy and heated rivalry between the two Superstars with Angle reminding the WWE Universe — and Lesnar — of his ability.
It’s definitely safe to say that the ego and skill of Kurt Angle — not the support of the WWE Universe — is what made him a truly great champion.
Better bad or good? BAD
Bob Backlund
Bob Backlund's WWE Title defenses playlist
After a decade away, the collegiate wrestling standout made an unexpected return in 1992, but Backlund’s boy-next-door appeal wasn’t enough this time. The former champion snapped and became Mr. Backlund, a bowtie-wearing, dictionary-toting madman who enraged the WWE Universe and assaulted the roster with the agonizing Crossface Chickenwing. At Survivor Series 1994, he defeated Bret Hart to regain the same title he had lost 11 years prior. He might have been more “eat your broccoli” than apple pie, but Mr. Backlund was once again the champ.
Better bad or good? GOOD
WWE Shows Latest Results
Raw results, Sept. 30, 2024: Rollins returns to cost Reed the Last Monster Standing Match against Strowman as the ring collapses
Full ResultsSmackDown results, Oct. 4, 2024: The Bloodline survive a brutal WWE Tag Team Title Triple Threat Ladder Match en route to WWE Bad Blood
Full ResultsWWE NXT results, Oct. 1, 2024: WHOOP THAT TRICK! Trick Williams wins back the NXT Title from Ethan Page on the CW Premiere
Full Results