Biggest belt upsets in WWE history

Shocking Championship Belt Upsets in WWE History

When Wrestling Gold Changed Hands Against All Odds

WWE history is filled with scripted drama, but the magic of a true upset comes when fans least expect a championship belt to change hands. These moments become immortal not only for the winners but also for the belts they held, as each title tells the story of an improbable victory. From Hulk Hogan’s shocking loss to Brock Lesnar’s meteoric rise and beyond, the biggest belt upsets remind us why championship replicas at WWFBelt.com are so valuable—they let fans hold a piece of wrestling history in their own hands.

Classic Era Upsets That Defined WWE

  1. The Iron Sheik defeats Bob Backlund (1983)
    Bob Backlund had reigned as the WWWF Champion for nearly six years before dropping the belt to The Iron Sheik in a shocking upset. This loss paved the way for Hulkamania, but at the time, fans were stunned by Backlund’s fall.

  2. Hulk Hogan loses to Yokozuna (King of the Ring 1993)
    Hogan, nearly untouchable for years, lost the WWE Championship to Yokozuna in an upset that ended the Hulkster’s golden dominance in WWE.

  3. Bret Hart falls to Owen Hart (WrestleMania X, 1994)
    While not for the title, Owen’s shocking victory over Bret made fans believe that even the mighty Hitman could be humbled. Later, Bret would regain the WWE Championship, making this upset even more historic.

Attitude Era Shocks

  1. Mankind wins the WWE Championship on Raw (1999)
    Few expected Mick Foley—known for his hardcore style—to capture WWE’s richest prize. When Stone Cold Steve Austin interfered to help, the upset not only crowned Mankind but also shifted the momentum in the Monday Night Wars.

  2. Chris Jericho defeats The Rock and Stone Cold (2001)
    At Vengeance 2001, Jericho shocked the world by beating both The Rock and Austin in the same night to unify the WCW and WWE Championships, an upset that solidified him as “The Undisputed Champion.”

Ruthless Aggression Era Surprises

  1. Brock Lesnar dominates The Rock (SummerSlam 2002)
    Lesnar, barely months into his WWE career, defeated The Rock for the WWE Undisputed Championship, a shocking upset that launched him as the youngest WWE Champion in history.

  2. Eddie Guerrero beats Brock Lesnar (No Way Out 2004)
    Perhaps the most emotional upset in WWE history, Eddie Guerrero pulled off the unthinkable by beating the powerhouse Brock Lesnar. Eddie’s victory remains one of the most beloved championship moments, with his WWE Championship belt a prized collector’s piece at WWFBelt.com.

  3. John Cena loses to Rob Van Dam (ECW One Night Stand 2006)
    In front of a hostile ECW crowd, RVD shocked the world by defeating Cena for the WWE Championship in one of the most iconic upsets in history.

PG Era and Modern Upsets

  1. Sheamus defeats John Cena (TLC 2009)
    As a relative newcomer, Sheamus shocked everyone by defeating John Cena for the WWE Championship, making him an overnight main-eventer.

  2. Daniel Bryan wins at WrestleMania XXX (2014)
    After years of being overlooked, Bryan defeated Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista all in one night to claim the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. This underdog upset captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

  3. Jinder Mahal wins WWE Championship (2017)
    Considered a mid-carder for most of his career, Mahal shocked the WWE Universe when he defeated Randy Orton to win the WWE Championship, one of the most surprising modern title upsets.

  4. Kofi Kingston wins WWE Championship (WrestleMania 35, 2019)
    Kingston’s victory over Daniel Bryan was not only an upset but also a career-defining moment, as a long-tenured veteran finally won the WWE Championship.

Belts That Tell the Story of Upsets

  1. Winged Eagle Belt – Associated with shocking title wins in the 80s and 90s.

  2. Big Eagle Belt – Mankind and Austin era upsets were tied to this design.

  3. Spinner Belt – Represented the Cena era but also surprising losses like RVD’s upset.

  4. WWE World Heavyweight Championship – Defined Bryan’s underdog story.

  5. Modern Custom Side Plate Belts – Allowed new stars like Mahal and Kofi to personalize their improbable victories.

Collecting the Belts of Upsets

For fans, owning replicas of belts that changed hands during shocking upsets is a way to preserve those once-in-a-lifetime memories. Whether it’s Eddie Guerrero’s belt, Daniel Bryan’s championship, or Kofi Kingston’s title, these replicas at WWFBelt.com let you own the legacy of underdogs who became legends.

FAQs on WWE Championship Belt Upsets

1. What was the biggest upset in WWE history?
Many fans consider Eddie Guerrero defeating Brock Lesnar in 2004 the greatest upset of all time.

2. Has an underdog ever won at WrestleMania’s main event?
Yes, Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXX and Kofi Kingston at WrestleMania 35 are prime examples.

3. Which belt is most associated with shocking title changes?
The Winged Eagle and Big Eagle belts are most linked with unexpected champions.

4. Did John Cena ever lose in a major upset?
Yes, Sheamus defeated him in 2009 and Rob Van Dam beat him in 2006.

5. Who was the youngest WWE Champion in an upset?
Brock Lesnar, who won at age 25 in 2002.

6. Has The Rock ever lost in an upset?
Yes, to Chris Jericho in 2001 and to Brock Lesnar in 2002.

7. Did Mankind’s WWE title win count as an upset?
Absolutely. Few believed Foley would ever hold the top belt, making it one of WWE’s most celebrated surprises.

8. Can fans buy replicas of these upset-winning belts?
Yes, authentic replicas are available at WWFBelt.com.

9. Was Kofi Kingston’s win considered an upset?
Yes, it was one of the most heartwarming and unexpected victories in modern WWE.

10. Has Roman Reigns ever lost in a shocking upset?
While dominant, his major losses are rare and not as upset-driven, though his future defeat could be historic.

Conclusion: Upsets Keep WWE Belts Legendary

The history of WWE championship belts is filled with dominant champions, but it’s the shocking upsets that fans remember most. From Guerrero to Bryan, Mankind to Kofi, these moments show that even the unlikeliest contender can walk away with gold. Collectors who invest in replica belts from WWFBelt.com don’t just own a piece of wrestling—they own the stories of underdogs who shocked the world.

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