5 WWE World Heavyweight Champions You Forgot About

#2 Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler: Has never successfully defended the World Heavyweight Championship

At one point in time, Dolph Ziggler looked like he might be a breakout star for WWE but those days seem a long time ago now.

The former Spirit Squad member was given a new lease of life with the Ziggler gimmick and "won" the World Heavyweight Championship on the February 15, 2011 episode of Smackdown when Smackdown General Manager, Vickie Guerrero stripped her husband Edge of the belt due to him using his Spear finisher, which his ex-wife boss had vengefully banned him from using in his matches.

Ziggler was simply awarded the title and his reign lasted all of ten minutes as he immediately dropped the belt back to Edge. Many long time fans have no idea Edge's title reign of December 2010 to April 2011, was interrupted prior to Wrestlemania 27.

When Ziggler won the Money in the Bank briefcase in July 2012 looked like he was finally destined to break through WWE's glass ceiling and that two years of sterling in ring performances had earned him the opportunity to headline in WWE.

He seemingly made the transition to main event star on the post-Wrestlemania Raw on April 8, 2013 when he defeated Alberto Del Rio to a thunderous reception from the live crowd.

However, it wasn't meant to be. Ziggler was injured and sidelined for two months. WWE elected to keep the belt on him until he could defend it, which seemed to suggest the company had long term plans for him as champion.

That mindset proved unfounded however, when Ziggler lost the title in his first defence versus the man he had won it from in Del Rio.

It was a memorable performance from both and actually saw them swop sides in the face and heel dynamic, with Ziggler turning face and Del Rio heel. However, despite the success of the match, the cold hard fact was that Ziggler was no longer champion. He never would be again and his two World title runs had yielded exactly zero successful defences.