5 times pro wrestling champions had to vacate their title.

#5. Bret Hart

The name Bret Hart conjures many memories in wrestling fans around the world. To some of those fans, he's the Excellence of Execution, a former all star tag team champion and triple crown WWE champion. Perhaps the best example of a technical wrestler in the post-Hulk Hogan era, Bret was a hero to many fans growing up.

To other fans, Bret is the man involved in the biggest controversy in wrestling, the Montreal Screwjob. His bitterness and inability to let go seemed to define him for some time, and there are fans who know him mainly from this incident.

And finally, to WCW fans he was the man who tried and failed to save the promotion, the big gun, the cure to regain ratings dominance over WWE. There was a chance Hart could have done so, too. He turned heel and founded NWO 2000, an attempt at refreshing the renegade band's status as top villain faction. During this time he captured the WCW world heavyweight championship.

It was during a title defense that Goldberg botched a superkick and gave Bret a severe concussion. Hart finished the match, but would later have to not only surrender his title, but announce his retirement as well--and any hopes of WCW winning the Monday Night War left with him.