5 WWE Superstars who were 'awarded' Championships without winning a match

#3 Mankind is awarded the Hardcore title

Vince hands the Hardcore title to Mankind

Back in 1998, when the Attitude Era was at its peak, Mankind debuted Mr. Socko while visiting Mr. McMahon in the hospital. The WWE Chairman had suffered injuries due to an attack by The Undertaker and Kane. In an attempt to cheer the WWE Chairman up, Mankind brought along Mr. Socko, but the effort was in vain. The sock became an overnight sensation, and Mankind began using it to win his matches by stuffing the sock in the mouth of his oppents and choking them.

McMahon began manipulating Mankind into doing what he told him on the road to Survivor Series 1998. The boss even went on to create the Hardcore title, and awarded it to Mankind, thus making him the first-ever Hardcore Champion.

Vince McMahon also pushed Mankind as a favorite to win the WWE title at Survivor Series, where a tournament was held to determine the Champion. Mankind defeated Gillberg, Al Snow, and Stone Cold to advance to the finals, but lost the match when McMahon turned on him and helped The Rock become WWE Champion. As for the Hardcore title, Mankind's first reign lasted almost a month, before he lost the belt to Big Boss Man.