6 superstars you didn't know competed for the WWE Championship

In WWE, there is no prize greater, nor more prestigious than the WWE Championship.

Originating in 1963 with 'Nature Boy' Buddy Rogers, the title has gone through various changes, from the classic winged eagle design of the Hulkamania era to the smokin' skull title of 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, to its current eco-sustainable adaptation from Daniel Bryan.

What hasn't changed over the years though, is how superstars have tried to become champion and have their names added to the history books.

But whilst the WWE Universe has seen plenty of great names compete for the gold, including Mick Foley, Pedro Morales, the Iron Sheik, and John Cena, there are some truly bizarre names that have also had a shot at holding the gold.

Here are six WWE Superstars you didn't know once competed for the WWE Championship.

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#6 The Brian Kendrick

Kendrick won the Cruiserweight Championship in 2016 but briefly held the WWE title eight years earlier

When Brian Kendrick left Paul London in 2008, the young man gained a whole new attitude.

Now referring to himself as THE Brian Kendrick, the future Cruiserweight Champion gained a cocky new demeanor and his own security guard in Ezekiel Jackson.

What Brian Kendrick also gained along the way, was a shot at the WWE Championship, taking part in the Championship Scramble Match at Unforgiven 2008.

A match where anyone can win the title, though only the champion when the time expires wins, The Brian Kendrick would briefly become WWE Champion during the match.

Pinning Jeff Hardy not long into the match, The Brian Kendrick would hold the title for several minutes, before being pinned by Triple H, who would survive the match and retain the WWE Championship.

#5 Eric Bischoff

Bischoff was willing to do whatever it took to get the WWE Championship off John Cena

One of the genius minds behind WCW, it was only a matter of time before Eric Bischoff found his way to WWE.

Being revealed as the RAW General Manager in 2002, Bischoff would rule the red-brand with an iron fist, often at the expense of his superstars.

One such star Easy-E took umbrage with was John Cena, who Bischoff felt disrespected him and the brand as WWE Champion in 2005.

After Chris Jericho failed to capture the title from Cena at SummerSlam, and Kurt Angle had failed to do the same not long after, Bischoff decided he himself would be champion.

Meeting the Champ on the October 3 episode of RAW (the night the show returned to the USA Network), Bischoff would unsurprisingly come up short and was fired as GM not long after.

#4 Taka Michinoku

Before meeting the Game in 2000, Taka became the first WWF Light Heavyweight Champion

In 2000, Triple H had plenty to feel good about.

Not only was he the WWF Champion, but the Game was also running the show alongside his wife Stephanie, and had successfully retained the title at WrestleMania 2000.

So in April 2000, the King of Kings issued an open challenge, which fans were amazed to see answered by Taka Michinoku.

Despite being a former Light Heavyweight Champion, Triple H laughed at the prospect, until he saw the APA come out with Michinoku.

In a truly epic forgotten gem, the Japanese superstar pushed the Cerebral Assassin to his limit, before falling short in this incredible match.

Whilst the Game may have laughed at the idea of losing to Taka, he nearly did just that, and hopefully learned a lesson about the dangers of throwing out open challenges.

#3 The Brooklyn Brawler

The Brawler came up short against WWF Champion Shawn Michaels in a post-RAW match in 1997

Brooklyn, New York, is known for a lot of things, such as Coney Park, NXT TakeOver events, and Steve Lombardi.

In WWE, Lombardi is known as the Brooklyn Brawler and is probably best known for coming up short almost all the time.

But when RAW is WAR had their debut inside Madison Square Garden, the home-town boy became a home-town hero, when he won a battle royal to earn a shot at then-WWF Champion Shawn Michaels.

Meeting in November 1997, the Brawler got to live out the dream of any proud New Yorker - headlining the world's most famous arena.

Sadly, the clock struck midnight on this Cinderella story, as HBK defeated the Brawler to retain the title.

Who knows, maybe the Montreal Screwjob would've never happened if it was Hart Vs Brawler for the gold?

#2 Stephanie McMahon

Stephanie competed against her husband and Chris Jericho for the WWE Championship in 2002

When Stephanie McMahon saw her husband retain the WWF Championship against Taka Michinoku in April 2000, it must have given her ideas.

Because just two years later, the Billion Dollar Princess would find herself in a World Championship match against her husband, and former champion Chris Jericho.

Competing on the first RAW of the WWE Brand Extension, Stephanie hoped to be the first woman ever to hold the gold.

Unfortunately for her, this was not the case, as not only did she lose the match, but she was pinned by the Game, in a very embarrassing loss.

Even after the match, things didn't get better, as she would be forced to leave the WWE for months, before returning as the new GM of SmackDown, with a newfound humility and her World Championship dreams buried.

#1 Spike Dudley

Little Spike Dudley received a WWF title shot after defending the honor of Molly Holly

The runt of the family, little Spike Dudley was no-one's first pick when it came to predicting future WWE Champions.

But when Dudley stayed loyal to the WWF after his brothers joined the Alliance, Spike won the hearts of the fans, who appreciated his tenacity.

After also winning the heart of Molly Holly, Spike stood up for her after Stone Cold called her a bimbo to her face.

Meeting the Rattlesnake for the WWF Championship on the June 14, 2001, edition of SmackDown, Spike wasn't the toughest opponent for Austin but did have some tricks up his sleeve.

Whilst this match wouldn't turn out how Spike hoped, he would capture the WWF Tag Team Championships with Tazz from his brothers in early 2002, and would later win the Cruiserweight Championship in 2004.