10 Deserving wrestlers who have never held WWE's 'big belt'

Sometimes, there's so much talent in a particular promotion that some truly phenomenal wrestlers get lost in the shuffle.

That has certainly been the case in WWE. While the promotion has honored many great champions over the years, there have also been many talented athletes who never had the opportunity to hold the WWE's 'big belt' titles, which are currently the Universal and World Heavyweight championship.

There are a variety of reasons why wrestlers don't get to carry the big belt. Sometimes it's a matter of timing. Perhaps the wrestler was on the roster with so many other major stars there simply wasn't room at the top. Other times it can be political, such as a wrestler being held back because he is unpopular with some members of management.

For whatever reason, the wrestlers deserve recognition for their deserving status. Here are ten talented wrestlers who have never held the WWE's big belt.

#1.Kofi Kingston

Kofi Kingston made his debut with the WWE in 2007. He was introduced with a big push, and even had an undefeated streak for a time.

Despite his amazing athleticism and technical skill, he has never held one of the big belt titles in WWE. He has, however, collected nearly every other piece of gold available save the Cruiserweight title and the NXT title.

Kofi has put in his time and demonstrated his ability and loyalty time and time again, and he deserves a run with a big belt.

What may be holding him back: Politics could be to blame. Kofi was created to be a faux Jamaican character, but his mother is the president of the Ghana-American society. She convinced her son to be billed from his true homeland, which rubbed some in management the wrong way. Any heat he may have had with Randy Orton over a minor botch seems to have dissipated, but since the botch was in a high profile match there are others in WWE who may still be holding that against him.

#2. Austin Aries

As of this writing, Aries is no longer working for WWE, having asked for and received his release. This lowers his prospects for ever holding the big belt on Raw or Smackdown, as he is in his forties and will likely not return to WWE.

However, he was and is a worthy champion. Austin has wrestled for nearly twenty years all over the world. And when it comes to technical wrestling, he is just a little bit better than AJ Styles, if not as high flying.

What may be holding him back: Aries is undersized for a WWE grappler and is well known to be a feisty curmudgeon backstage. This might endear him to his fellow talent but rankles with some members of management.

#3. Terry Funk

The tough as nails Texan comes from the famous Funk family and is one of the most celebrated and beloved pro wrestlers of all time. Many years after his legacy was fully secure, he continues to compete in brutal matches just because he loves wrestling so much. He is famous for his barbed wire death match with Mick Foley in Japan, as well as his memorable feud with Ric Flair for the WCW world championship. Funk even piledrived the Nature Boy through a table decades before TLC matches.

Despite his many accolades, he never held a major title in the WWE.

What may have held him back: Funk is a big name, and often only competes on his own terms. This not only includes compensation financially but a measure of creative control. Also, he has been one of the oldest active wrestlers for over twenty years, and it just doesn't make sense to the WWE to put a big belt on him.

#4. Bobby Roode

A veteran performer who has wrestled all over the world before he made his WWE debut in NXT, Bobby Roode has always been one of the most technically gifted and athletic wrestlers in the world. However, it was only recently that he truly came into his own in terms of character with the Glorious gimmick. Now that he is in WWE, many are scratching their heads as to why he hasn't won a big belt title yet.

What could be holding him back: Roode has been battling nagging injuries for years, and he made his name in a rival promotion. However, he still has time to have a great reign if WWE chooses to go that direction.

#5. Vader

One of the toughest, most fearsome men to ever compete in a wrestling ring, Vader made his name in Japan before returning to the USA. He held the WCW title for a memorable run but never the WWE's big belt.

What may have held him back: By the time Vader made it to WWE, he was aging out of his prime and was no longer in the tremendous condition he'd been in during his Japan and WCW runs. He was also known to be somewhat difficult to work with, and had brawls with such luminaries as Paul Orndorff and Mick Foley.

#6. R Truth

The Suntan Superman has been NWA world champion but never held the big belt in WWE. The closest the charismatic and charming Truth has been was during his botched heel run as he challenged John Cena (remember "little Jimmy?") He continues to be in fantastic condition even as he approaches fifty years of life and three decades of wrestling stardom.

What may have held him back: R Truth's backstage persona is just as cheerful and goofy as his on-stage act. It may be that some believe he lacks the 'killer instinct' that men like Brock Lesnar display.

#7. Ted Dibasie

Believe it or not, Dibiase spent the early part of his career as a good guy in the Rat Pack of wrestling.

When he debuted in WWE he was repackaged as the Million Dollar Man. His famous vignettes are still entertaining today, and he is one of the best mike men in the business.

What may have held him back: Rumors abound that Dibiase was supposed to win the WM IV tournament, but Hogan convinced the WWE that Savage was a better choice because a heel champion would not go over as well. Once his run at the world title was over, Dibiase drifted down to the mid-card mostly because of accumulating injuries, particularly to his back.

#8. Junk Yard Dog

The beloved Junk Yard Dog became a huge 1980s icon when he danced to Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" on his way to the ring. His charisma and good natured smile endeared him to generations of fans.

What may have held him back: JYD was in the WWE during a time period which also had Hogan, Savage, Steamboat, Santana, and Valentine. With so much talent, there were bound to be some men who never got their shot at being the champion. Additionally, JYD was never the greatest technical wrestler in the game, though he wasn't a poor grappler.

#9. Shinsuke Nakamura

The King of Strong Style has evolved into one of the most unique performers in the business today. His blend of stiff strikes, suplexes, and his own unique style have carried him all the way to the main event at Wrestlemania...but not to the big belt title.

What may be holding him back: Nakamura's English has improved, but fans still sometimes have trouble understanding him. The natural remedy would be to give him a manager but he is such a big personality that no one could really stand next to him. Rumors are that he is feeling homesick and may return to New Japan when his WWE contract is up, which might make WWE reluctant to give him the title.

#10. Ricky The Dragon Steamboat

Ricky Steamboat is one of the most beloved competitors of all time. He only competed as a babyface and was never a heel, which is almost unheard of in sports entertainment. His high flying, technically precise and martial arts infused style has influenced countless superstars of today's era. While he was WCW champion, he never held the big belt in WWE, having to be content with an IC title run.

What may have held him back: Steamboat's back had been troubling him even before his five-star match with Randy Savage at WM III. In fact, he had actually retired when WCW contacted him and offered him a contract and a feud with world champion Ric Flair. His final WWE run was done mostly so he could end his career in that promotion, and he never rose above the mid-card.

There you have it; Ten deserving past and present superstars who have never worn the big gold belt. If you have comments please leave them after the article and thanks for reading!