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WWE has an extensive roster including some of the best wrestlers in the world. Men like John Cena, Brock Lesnar, and the Rock are household names.
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However, WWE is also home to Superstars who, despite being talented, popular, or both, have yet to hold either of the WWE's 'big brand' titles, the Universal Title from Monday Night RAW, or the WWE Championship from SmackDown Live.
The reasons for this are many. For one thing, there are hundreds of wrestlers on the WWE roster and only two belts.
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For another, the WWE tends to be very, very selective about who they choose to put their major singles titles on.
For example, even though a particular wrestler might be popular, but if they don't fit the mold of what WWE considers a world champion, they may never get the belt.
Here are ten current WWE superstars who have never worn either of the big belts, but certainly deserve to.
#1 Bobby Roode
Robert Francis Roode began his career back during the infamous Monday Night Wars, though he was not a part of either WWE or WCW at the time.
He joined TNA in 2004 as part of Team Canada, and that's when people started to take notice of him.
Given his toughness, technical skill, and propensity for using a spinebuster, fans and critics alike began to compare him to Arn Anderson, and he was dubbed the "Enforcer" of Team Canada.
He became a Million Dollar Man rip off after Team Canada was disbanded, but when he joined forces with Cowboy James Storm to form Beer Money his career really took off.
Their matches against the Motor City Machine Guns are still considered some of the best tag team action in any promotion, and rightfully so.
Roode eventually was elevated to TNA world champion, but then slowly slid back down the card.
When he signed with WWE and went to NXT, the wrestling world was shocked because at almost forty he wasn't the picture of what one would normally consider a developmental talent.
However, his "Glorious" Bobby Roode character would go on to become insanely popular.
But when Roode made his debut on the main roster, he seemed mired in the mid-card. Now in the tag team division, the sands of time are running out on his career.
Why he deserves to be Universal or WWE champion
In terms of technical skill, Roode is among the best in the business.
This ring general has over twenty years of experience and can bring out the best in any opponent.
Plus, his surging popularity could be rekindled with a main event push. WWE had better hurry before he retires if they want him to have a memorable title run.
#2 Tye Dillinger
Ronald Arniel, better known as the 'Perfect Ten' Tye Dillinger, actually is on his second WWE run.
He was originally part of their developmental division Ohio Valley Wrestling and was transferred to Florida Championship Wrestling when that became the new training promotion for WWE.
Dillinger made his WWE television debut on the now-defunct ECW brand under the name Gavin Spears, but failed to make an impact and was released from his contract.
Tye returned to the independent circuit, where he developed the 'Perfect Ten' gimmick. He was then hired again by WWE in 2013 and wrestled on and off for NXT for the next four years.
He finally made his main roster debut by coming out at Number Ten during the Royal Rumble match, but by and large, has been buried in the lower to the mid-card of the roster.
Why he deserves to be Universal or WWE Champion
Tye Dillinger is a consummate professional and is much stronger than his 235-pound frame would suggest.
He has an exciting style that meshes well with a variety of opponents and has a grassroots support structure in the form of the WWE Universe.
#3 Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura was once an MMA fighter, but thankfully for wrestling fans, he turned his attention to Sports Entertainment.
You'd think that being a former combat sports professional, his gimmick would be based on ground and pound, but you'd be mistaken.
Instead, Shinsuke Nakamura developed a unique persona and mannerisms that are roughly a cross between Michael Jackson and an anime fighting game character.
The entire wrestling community was shocked when he joined NXT because it seemed like he was not a good fit for WWE given his limited English speaking capability. However, Nakamura would go on to be possibly the most popular NXT champion in history.
When he joined the main roster, he only lost ten times in his first year, but a botched heel turn has mired him in the mid-card of Smackdown.
Why he deserves to be Universal or WWE champion
Shinsuke Nakamura is often referred to as the Artist, and it's an apt description of his abilities.
Far more than simply wrestling a match, he treats it like Picasso or Van Gogh would a canvas, painting a compelling story with his body and his personality.
If he were to turn face, he could be the most popular champion in WWE since Hulk Hogan.
#4 Drew McIntyre
Andrew Galloway was participating in a celebrity golf tournament in Scotland when he met Vince McMahon, so the lore says.
McMahon was greatly impressed with McIntyre and brought him to the WWE on the Smackdown brand.
In a very rare moment, McMahon even stood in the ring with Drew McIntyre and proclaimed he would one day be the WWE world champion, leading to the nickname 'the chosen one."
However, McIntyre struggled to stand out on the Smackdown roster. He slowly slid down the card until he was packaged into the joke gimmick stable 3MB, and basically became a clone of Heath Slater.
McIntyre was released from his contract, but rather than be bitter and resentful he chose to seize the opportunity. He worked on his physique and his craft, bettering himself until TNA took notice.
After a successful run with that company, he returned to the WWE and became NXT champion. Now on the main brand of Raw, he has yet to break into the main event picture.
Why he deserves to be Universal or WWE Champion
McIntyre is not only an insanely gifted athlete, but he's also possessed of a compelling character and strong charisma.
He didn't look like he belonged in the WWE during his first run, but now he has the look and strut of a champion.
#5 Cesaro
ROH fans know Cesaro as Claudio Castagnoli, and also know that he is an extremely gifted technical wrestler as well as being pound for pound the strongest man in the WWE.
While Cesaro has flirted with the main event picture, even being managed by Paul Heyman at one point, he never truly broke out as a star.
The Bar is probably the most high profile and most popular he has been as of yet, and his big Wrestlemania appearance to date was losing to another team which had a ten-year-old child on it.
Cesaro has to be frustrated with his lack of upward mobility in WWE, and now that there are other options like AEW the WWE could wind up losing a valuable asset.
Why he deserves to be Universal or WWE Champion
Cesaro is a great counter wrestler and can work with any size athlete from cruiserweights like Kallisto to massive men like Braun Strowman. Any perceived lack of charisma could be solved by giving him a mouthpiece such as the aforementioned Heyman.
#6 Luke Harper
Luke Harper is an incredibly skilled wrestler, far more technically sound and athletic than his slovenly appearance would suggest.
In his early career, he called himself Brodie Lee, a direct reference to King Kong Brody. Indeed, given his size, power, and agility for a big man, the comparisons run deep.
However, unlike the volatile Brody, who often rubbed both promoters and his fellow wrestlers the wrong way, Luke Harper is one of the most pleasant people backstage and is friends with just about everyone.
He's been a mid-card champion and tag team champion, but really he's capable of so much more. WWE fans have chanted "This is Awesome" during a Luke Harper match on more than one occasion, meaning he has the right stuff to be world champion.
Why he deserves to be Universal or WWE Champion
Luke Harper is a fantastic 'big man' wrestler who can also utilize offense you expect from a much smaller athlete, like his amazing standing dropkick.
He's already more popular with the fans than WWE gives him credit for, and upon his return from injury, they would be well served to elevate him to the next level.
#7 Adam Cole
Adam Cole is supposed to be the bad guy.
Whether it was wrestling in Ring of Honor as part of the original Kingdom, wrestling in New Japan as the leader of Bullet Club, or wrestling on NXT as part of the Undisupted Era, the fans just can't help but love Adam Cole.
In spite of his less than stellar win/loss record on NXT, the fans still join in his uproarious declaration "ADAM COLE, BAY-BAY!"
Why he deserves to be Universal or WWE Champion
Adam Cole is, as one would expect from a former Ring of Honor champion, a fantastically skilled technical wrestler.
He is also possessed of perhaps the best timing of any athlete in sports entertainment today, as his match with Ricochet will attest.
He's made the superkick into an art form, and given his good looks and popularity, he appeals to all demographics that make up the WWE Universe.
#8 Buddy Murphy
Many people used to call him "Mr. Alexa Bliss," as he has been engaged to the Raw women's division superstar for some time.
However, his foray into 205 Live and insanely good matches with everyone from Mustafa Ali to Cedric Alexander have made those people shut their mouths.
Buddy Murphy is a capable cruiserweight champion, and might even be the best cruiserweight champion WWE has as of yet put the belt on, but it feels like he could be capable of so much more.
Why he deserves to be Universal or WWE Champion
Buddy Murphy was once called by WWE COO Triple H--also the head of the NXT brand--"NXT's best-kept secret."
Despite being in a tag team with Wesley Blake, he failed to make much of an impact on NXT even though he was one of the most gifted wrestlers on the roster.
With pro wrestling moving away from behemoths like Brock Lesnar and toward faster, more agile athletes like AJ Styles, the time may be right for Buddy Murphy to come into his own in the main event picture.
#9 Johnny Gargano
Despite being just thirty-one years of age, Johnny Gargano has already accumulated over twenty-five wrestling championships. He is an international star who has wrestled literally all over the world for various promotions.
Johnny's wrestling style is a mix of Lucha Libre, British chain wrestling, and Japanese Strong style, with a definite old school flair.
He seems like he would be right at home in the 1970s wrestling Ric Flair for the NWA world title, or in the 1990s wrestling RVD for the ECW World title, because he would be. The fans don't call him "Johnny Wrestling" for nothing!
Why he deserves to be Universal or WWE Champion
Johnny Gargano has it all; Technical wrestling ability, high flying acumen, an excellent counter wrestling game, top notch striking, and a strong submission game.
And most importantly, he has the charisma to get each and every fan emotionally invested in his matches, which is a must for world champion wrestlers.
#10 Tommaso Ciampa
Tommaso Ciampa has been told his entire career that he's 'too small' to be a heel character, yet that is what he plays, and quite successfully at that.
Ciampa cut his teeth on the independent scene until he came onto the radar of Ring of Honor wrestling. He was initially pushed as a heel and engaged in a stellar feud with Ring of Honor World Television Champion Jay Lethal over the belt.
However, fate had different plans for him. During a title match against Jay Lethal, he suffered a major knee injury in the opening minutes.
The tough as nails Ciampa would push through the match to the bitter end. ROH fans watching the match knew Ciampa was badly injured and wound up cheering for him because of his heart, in spite of the fact that he was technically the 'bad guy.'
Other notable feuds for Ciampa include one against Cedric Alexander, which culminated in a brutal "Fight Without Honor" match (ROH's version of a hardcore contest.)
After joining the NXT brand along with Gargano as DIY, he turned heel and hasn't looked back since, and is the current reigning NXT champion.
Why he deserves to be Universal or WWE Champion
Combining old school grit, modern-day technical prowess, and a confidence bordering on Deific, Ciampa is nearly the perfect pro wrestler.
He could transition to the main roster without missing a beat as the same character he currently plays and lights the WWE on fire.
There you have it: Ten WWE superstars who have never held either of the company's 'big belts,' but deserve to. Questions or comments? Please leave them after the article, and as always thanks for reading!
