Champion? Ha Your Almost Laughable: Top Five Paper Champions In WWE History

Live in the moment!!! Creatures of the Night.

If you haven't noticed, lately I've been producing more slideshows than articles. Because the lack of decent subjects, I will continue to unless I can find a fresh idea. Going back in time, I've constructed another masterpiece.

The Paper Champions.

Throughout WWE History, we've witnessed shocking title wins. Less shocking would be the reign itself. Most of the Superstars end up as a paper Champion. Basically, a Superstar that holds the title for an extended period of time.

Don't get me wrong. I don't blame the Superstar for their run, but WWE Management's handling of the Superstar.

Catch is, they never defend or win without some sort of controversy. Simply cheating. Their's been multiple instances in WWE History, but I've narrowed it down to five.

Enjoy.

Sheamus

It's a shameful thing. The Celtic Warrior, Sheamus exploded onto the WWE Scene last year. His run on ECW was just like any other's. A decent undefeated streak that led to an outrageous loss. Some noteworthy feuds here and there, but we never expected what was coming next.

After being move to RAW, Sheamus destroyed Jamie Noble in a series of matches. Therefore "ending" Nobles career in the process. Destroying a guy half your size doesn't necessarily catch the attention of the WWE Universe. That's when he was entered into a Battle Royal by Jesse Ventura.

A Battle Royal for stars who have never won the World Championship. The highlight of match was the feud between Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton. After Kofi eliminated Orton, Sheamus quickly clotheslined Kingston to the mat. Shocker.

After only three weeks, Sheamus had a title match with John Cena. The Irishman dominated Cena at every turn. When the ppv finally came, we expected another John Cena "triumphant" win. Boy were we surprised. On the top rope, both men battled it out until both fell.

Unfortunately, Cena fell threw a table. Ouch

I was shocked. I couldn't believe that John Cena fell to this guy. This newcomer. After watching the replay, I understood the circumstances. Sheamus didn't throw Cena, he fell. Paper.

His next defense against Randy Orton. Won by disqualification. After Rhodes interfered. Paper.

Multiple defenses against John Cena ended with disqualification. Paper.

Sheamus ultimately lost the title in the Elimination Chamber. Paper.

After a feud with Triple H, Sheamus reentered the title picture. In a four way match involving Cena, Edge, and Orton, Sheamus pinned Cena to win the WWE Title once again. AFTER the Nexus beat John Cena down. Paper.

Sheamus defended it against Cena the next night. Cena won by disqualification after Nexus interfered again. Paper.

Another rematch between the two at Money in the Bank. Sheamus defeated Cena after Nexus interfered again. Paper. Sheamus then entered a feud with Randy Orton. Leading up to a match at Summerslam. Once again Sheamus got himself disqualified. Paper.

Sheamus later lost his title to Orton at Night of Champions. PAPER.

Sheamus never had a credible win or defense. Therefore he is indeed a PAPER Champion.

Chris Jericho

Really WWE? Why did you give him the accolade in the first place?

Going into Vengeance 2001, there was four men. Chris Jericho, Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, and The Rock. All headed for a collision course. For one prize, The Undisputed Championship. Fresh off the Invasion storyline, The Rock was World Champion while Steve Austin was WWF Champion.

Vince McMahon announced the plan to unify the titles. The Rock vs Jericho and Austin vs Angle. Matches we had already seen three times in the last four months. For the same titles. Exchanged a few times but always made it back to Rock and Austin. Seriously.

I expect Rock or Austin to win. I mean, this was going to determine the first Undisputed Champion in WWE History. At the time, it didn't get any bigger than Rock vs Austin.

But no, after interference by McMahon and a low blow, Jericho was the World Champion. He even used the Rock Bottom to win. Really Creative? Really? As soon as the match was over, Austin, who had already beat Angle earlier, entered the ring and began the next matchup.

If not Rock, Austin should've been the first Undisputed Champion. But no, Creative had other plans. After interference from Booker T, Chris Jericho was the first Undisputed Champion. I was shocked and pissed at the same time. The Undisputed Championship was a big accolade to hold. 

I thought one of WWE's biggest Stars should've won the title. Rock or Austin.

Jericho's reign quickly turned into a farce. The next night on RAW, he defended against Steve Austin. In a brutal cage match, Jericho retained. After interference by Booker T again. 

The Rock defeated Booker in a match on Smackdown to become number one contender. Every major star in the WWE including HHH, Austin, and Undertaker informed The Rock that they would challenged him at Wrestlemania for the title.

No one gave Jericho a chance at winning. Neither did I. He was a joke at the time.

After a low blow and using the ropes, Jericho defeated Rock at the Royal Rumble. Paper. Quickly after beating Rock, Steve Austin defeated Kurt Angle to become number one contender. My thoughts were finally, someone was going to take the title of this guy.

But no, Jericho defeated Austin at No Way Out after interference from the NWO. Paper.

I never understood why the title was put on Jericho. The answer was right in front of me, but I effectively ignored it. 

Triple H had won the Royal Rumble. He was on a role. Creative only put the title on a heel so a face Triple H could defeat him at Wrestlemania. It was a clever plan. Jericho was defeated by Triple H at Wrestlemania 18. He dropped back down to the mid cards afterwards.

John Bradshaw Layfield

JBL's reign was WWE Champion is definition of a Paper Champion.

When Bradshaw was entered into a feud with Eddie Guerrero, no one expected him to actually beat Guerrero. Eddie was on a role, he hadn't been pinned since winning the title, and he had the whole WWE Universe behind him.

All of us ignored the fact that Smackdown! GM, Kurt Angle was on a personal vendetta against Guerrero. He was doing everything he could to take the title off of Eddie. Bradshaw's moment of truth came at the 2004 Great American Bash.

In a Texas Bullrope Match, Eddie beat the holy hell out of JBL and won the match. Kurt Angle reversed the decision claiming Layfield's shoulder had touched the corner before Eddie's hand. Angered by the decision. In the promo and numerous times before the match, JBL said that your HAND must touch the each corner to win.

But all of a sudden it's any body part. Really??

Guerrero quickly invoked his rematch clause. After a back and forth cage match on Smackdown!, Layfield retained after Angle (dressed in a luchadore outfit) held Eddie's leg as JBL climbed out the cage. Paper. After proclaiming himself the Greatest WWE Champion ever, Layfield got a wakeup call when Undertaker entered the ring.

After laying JBL out with a chokeslam, I was ecstatic to see that Taker was on his way to a World Title match. At Summerslam, after an attempt by JBL to use the WWE Title, Taker struck Layfield with the title to lose by disqualification. Taker beat Bradshaw to a pulp afterwards, with the exclamation mark being a tombstone on his limo.

Taker would receive his rematch at No Mercy in a last ride match. Once again, JBL retained after interference by newcomer, Heidenreich. Bradshaw's next feud was with Booker T. In the events leading up to match, Booker T dominated JBL in every encounter. Much like his feud with Triple H a year before.

In similar fashion, Booker lost to JBL after a shot with the WWE Title. Paper. JBL would then go on to feud with Guerrero, Booker, and Taker for their upcoming Fatal Four match. At Armageddon, after interference from Heidenreich, JBL retained after pinning Booker. Paper.

At the same time, The Big Show and Kurt Angle had been involved in a heated feud. After Angle sensed he couldn't defeat Show, he challenged JBL for the WWE Championship. Angle looked to be on the verge of winning the title, when JBL's Cabinet interfered leading to a dq victory for Angle. Paper.

Big Show attacked JBL and the Cabinet afterwards informing JBL of his intention to reclaim the WWE Title. After weeks of taunting the Big Show with Joy Giovanni, JBL and Angle formed an alliance. Destroying the Big Show in a 7 on 1 beatdown. Angle vs Show vs Layfield was announced for the Royal Rumble.

Despite the beatdown, Big Show was still able to compete. Bradshaw retained again after interference from Bradshaw's Cabinet and Angle's Alliance. Layfield did not pin Big Show and Teddy Long signed a rematch for No Way Out. A Barbed Wire Steel Cage match.

After Big Show chokeslamed JBL through the ring, he walked out the cage door. Though it appeared that Show had won the WWE Championship, Layfield climbed out from under the ring. Thus retaining the title. PAPER.

However, Layfield was unable to overcome his next challenge. John Cena defeated Bradshaw at Wrestlemania 21 for the gold.

Triple H

The Game, Triple H. While he is one of the Greatest, HHH is without a doubt the Biggest Paper Champion in WWE History. Almost ALL of Triple H's reign's as World Heavyweight Champion came with controversy. It would take me five slides to name all of the screwy title wins and defenses of Triple H's career. Triple H isn't a paper Champion, he is the paper Champion.

Because of this, I will name a few.

During his first reign, Triple H's first major opponent was Rob Van Dam. Van Dam was the Wrestler of the Year, and arguably the best on the RAW roster. Triple H's constant trashing of Ric Flair created a mini feud between the two. At Unforgiven 2002, when it seemed Van Dam was seconds away from winning,  Flair cost him the title after a sledgehammer shot.

Establishing himself as Triple H's lacky. Intercontinental Champion, Kane was his next challenger. After the disgusting "Katie Vick" storyline, Triple H defeated Kane at No Mercy with help from Flair. Unifying the IC and World Titles.

Triple H dropped the title to HBK in the Elimination Chamber. Only for Creative to have him win it back at Armageddon in three stages of hell. Afterwards, he formed Evolution. Adding Batista and Randy Orton to the mix. Both were his lacky's like Flair. Problem is, both went down with injuries in the groups early stages.

Booker T became a major challenger to his World Title as Wrestlemania 19 rolled around. At the event, Booker dominated the Game until Flair's interference. A pedigree and three seconds later, HHH had won another title defense. Paper.

Afterwards, Triple H began a feud with Kevin Nash. Nash had beat the hell out of Triple H numerous times leading up to their Hell in a Cell match at Bad Blood 2003. After using a chair and sledgehammer, Triple H defeated Nash for the last time. Paper... and Selfish.

His next feud would be with Goldberg. At Summerslam, Goldberg dominated the Elimination Chamber. Pinning Orton, HBK, and Y2J. When it was down to him and Triple H, Ric Flair tossed a sledgehammer in the ring. Allowing the Game to nail Goldberg for the win. Really WWE? A sledgehammer? Inside a match where no interference was possible. PAPER....

He dropped the title to Goldberg at Unforgiven 2003. We all thought the Triple H "Era" was over on RAW. But no, Creative kept him in the World Title scene. He lost subsequent rematches at Survivor Series, only to win it back at Armageddon. Wanna know how? After a low blow from HHH, and a chokeslam by Kane. Paper...

Triple H reentered his feud with Shawn Michaels. On an episode of RAW, HBK had defeated Triple H for the World Title. Only to have Eric Bischoff rule the match a draw since HBK's shoulders were down with HHH's. Stupid right? I've seen HBK do it a thousand times before but all of a sudden it matter's now? PAPER!!!

Their feud continued with a match at the Royal Rumble. Ending in another draw. The same night Chris Benoit won the Royal Rumble. Benoit jumped to RAW to challenge Triple H for the World Title. Due to the controversial end to their Royal Rumble match, Shawn Michaels was added to the match. At Wrestlemania XX, Benoit submitted Triple H with the crossface.

HHH was unsuccessful in defeating Benoit in numerous rematches. This is when it seemed that Triple H no longer ruled RAW. Until Benoit lost the World Title to Randy Orton. Triple H quickly turned on Orton, setting up a match for Unforgiven. After interference from Batista and Flair, a chairshot, and a pedigree on the chair, he regained the World Title. Paper...

During a triple threat involving Benoit and Edge, Benoit submitted Edge just as Edge pinned Benoit. Because of the controversy, the World Title was vacated. Triple H regained the World Title in a Elimination Chamber after Batista interfered.. Paper..

At the Royal Rumble, The Game defended against Randy Orton. After more interference by Flair, and a sledgehammer shot, Triple H retained again.... Paper.

Triple H's next challenger, Batista left Evolution, and destroyed Triple H in the process. At Wrestlemania 21, Batista ended the Triple H Era and took the World Title from the Game. 

Edge

Don't get me wrong. Edge is one of my favorite WWE Superstars. But Edge is a Paper Champion. Like Triple H before him, all of Edge's World Title reigns have come with controversy. Not five, but all of Edge's title reign's are shams. He is a paper champion, hate it or love it, history speaks for itself.

Edge's first reign as WWE Champion lasted almost three weeks. He shocked the World when he defeated John Cena at New Year's Revolution for the title. But only after cashing in his Money in the Bank Briefcase. After Cena was in a Elimination Chamber with RAW's top Superstars.

Edge lost title matches to Cena and RVD afterwards before taking part in a triple threat on RAW. After Cena had dropped RVD with an F-U, Edge blindsided Cena with the WWE title and pinned Van Dam. Paper. As RVD exited the scene due to suspension, Cena was Edge's biggest threat to the title. Cena defeated Edge on an episode of Saturday Night's Main Event by disqualification. Paper.

In a rematch at Summerslam, Edge used brass knucks to beat Cena. Only after it was announced if he got disqualified, he would lose the WWE Title. Edge later dropped the WWE Title to Cena in his match, TLC. In his hometown, Toronto.

After feuding with DX and an unsuccessful attempt to win another MITB at Wrestemania 22, Edge reentered the title picture. Though he lost in a fatal four way involving Orton, Cena, and HBK. Edge taunted MITB winner, Mr. Kennedy during a RAW segment. Angering Kennedy to the point where he placed his briefcase on the line in a match.

Before the match even began, Edge brutally attacked Kennedy with a monitor. Despite this, Kennedy still wanted to face Edge. As soon as the bell rang, Edge speared Kennedy to win another MITB. No time waisted. After a brutal steel cage match with Batista, Undertaker was attacked by Mark Henry incapacitating him enough for Edge to enter to ring.

Cashing in his MITB for a 2nd time, Edge easily defeated Taker to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Paper. This didn't sit well with former champ, Dave Batista. In a match at Judgement Day, Edge used Batista's injured leg to retain. Paper.

In a rematch at One Night Stand, Edge once again retained against Batista. Though some of you may disagree, this win was also controversial. As Batista exited the door, Edge climbed over the top. Batista's hands touched the floor before Edge's feet. But evidentially, feet have to touch first. Not paper, but controversial.

In a last chance match at Vengeance, Edge retained again after Batista was "counted" out after a Batista bomb to Edge. Paper...

Edge tore his pectoral muscle during an attack by Kane on Smackdown! Forcing him to relinquish the World Title.

Upon his return, Edge cost Undertaker the World Title in a match with Batista. Leading to a triple threat between the three at Armageddon. After assistance by Edge lookalikes, The Major Brothers, Edge reclaimed the World Title. Paper.

Edge's next challenger, Rey Mysterio beat Edge in a match for a shot at the Royal Rumble. Because of interference by Vickie Guerrero, Edge retained. At the same time, Edge had formed La Familia with Chavo Guerrero, Bam Neely, Vickie, and the Major Brothers.

La Familia couldn't prevent Edge from losing the title to Taker at Wrestlemania and a subsequent rematch at Backlash. After Taker was stripped of the title by Vickie Guerrero, Edge faced him in a TLC match at One Night Stand. After interference by every member of La Familia, Edge regained the World Title.

Batista stepped up as Edge's next challenger. In their match at Night of Champions, once again every member of La Familia interfered. Leading to Edge nailing Batista with the World Title to retain. Batista got his revenge the next night on RAW. After gloating to the RAW Roster about not having a World Title, Batista came out and destroyed Edge with a Batista Bomb.

Mr. Money in the Bank, CM Punk cashed in his briefcase on incapacitated Edge. After a GTS, Punk won the World title. After losses to Undertaker and Triple H, Edge went on a hiatus from the WWE. During a match with Triple H and Vladimir Kozlov, Vickie Guerrero announced Edge would take Jeff Hardy's place in the match.

With both competitors already exhausted, Edge easily speared both before Hardy attacked him.  After Hardy inadvertently struck Triple H with a chair, Edge speared him and pinned Triple H. Paper. Edge's title reign was short lived. Hardy defeated Edge during a triple threat involving HHH.

At the Royal Rumble, Edge faced Hardy in a rematch. After interference from Vickie Guerrero and a chairshot from Matt Hardy, Edge regained the WWE Title. Paper. Another short title reign for Edge. At No Way Out, Edge was eliminated by Jeff Hardy during an Elimination Chamber match.

Edge quickly bounced back. Before Kofi Kingston entered his pod for RAW's Elimination Chamber, Edge attacked him and took his place in the match. Edge lasted to the end and pinned Rey Mysterio to win the World Title. Paper.

Former Champ, John Cena was infuriated by Edge's actions. The Big Show also set his sights on Edge's World Title. In a triple threat match at Wrestlemania 25, Cena pinned Edge to regain the World Title. The Edge/Cena feud continued at Backlash.

In a last man standing match, Edge regained the World Title after Big Show chokeslammed Cena threw a stage light.

Edge's feud with Jeff Hardy was reignited after Hardy became number one contender. During their match at Judgement Day, Matt Hardy struck Jeff over the head with his cast. Ultimately leading to Edge retaining. Paper.

In a rematch at Extreme Rules, Hardy defeated Edge in a ladder match. Ending Edge's last reign as Paper Champion.