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When Brock Lesnar came through the WWE ranks in the early 2000s, you just KNEW he was going to be the world champion at some point.
Likewise, for any title match John Cena is chasing, chances are that he'll end up with the belt.
But sometimes, wrestling fans are taken completely unawares by a title change. An unexpected challenger becomes a champion, and the history books have to be re-written. Here are ten times a new champion shocked the world.
#10 Mankind wins WWE World title
When the WCW announce team gave out the results for a taped Raw back in 1998, they scoffed at the idea of 'Cactus Jack' as world champion.
"That'll put asses in seats!"
Unfortunately, they didn't count on Mick Foley's popularity. The fans switched channels in droves to see the unexpected, unlikely, and shocking moment when Mankind defeated The Rock for the WWE's biggest belt of all.
Not only was Mankind's win shocking, it shifted momentum during the infamous Monday Night War to the WWE's side, and WCW would never be on top in the ratings again.
#9 Tommy "Wildfire" Rich wins the NWA Heavyweight title
Tommy Rich gained his first, and only, major promotion big belt when he defeated Ted DiBiase in a controversial, and frankly convoluted fashion.
DiBiase was wrestling a masked man named "Mr. R" on a television taping, and insisted several times that it was Tommy Rich under the hood.
Then Tommy Rich came out to ringside so he could taunt DiBiase. The future Million Dollar Man ripped off Mr. R's mask, to reveal 'enhancement talent' Brad Armstrong. In all the chaos, Tommy Rich pinned DiBiase -- even though he was never really booked for the match -- and the ref counted his shoulders for the three count.
While the fans were ecstatic that babyface Tommy Rich captured a title so early in his career, the fact is DiBiase actually got screwed. Rich wouldn't hold the belt for very long, and would never climb to such heights again. It may not have been the greatest title run, but it was shocking.
#8 Carlito beats John Cena in his debut match
Leading up to his debut, fans were treated to vignettes of Carlitos Colon -- son of legendary Puerto Rico wrestler Carlos Colon -- as he extolled the virtues of being 'cool.'
One person who didn't think Carlito was cool in the least was newly-minted US champion John Cena. After a verbal exchange, Cena challenged Carlito to a match, and even put his new belt on the line.
In one of wrestling's bigger upsets, Carlito prevailed and became US champion in his first official WWE match. Though Carlito used a chain to win, he was still portrayed during the match as a credible threat to Cena, so much so that the fans were in shock as Carlito battled back again and again.
While, Carlito's career doesn't seem to be going anywhere due to a litany of personal problems, his first match will always go down as one of the most shocking and memorable moments on Smackdown.
#7 Fit Finlay wins the WCW Television Title
In 1998, Booker T and Chris Benoit were engaged in one of the hottest mid-card feuds in history. Fans were so excited about their five-star matches that there was even a best of seven series set up between the pair.
Everyone in wrestling fandom and even wrestling journalists all assumed that Benoit would wear the TV title in sort order. So when Fit Finlay challenged champion Booker T, it was likewise assumed that either Booker would pin Finlay cleanly or Benoit would interfere in the match.
Surprisingly, Finlay pinned Booker T cleanly after the champion became distracted by Benoit, who never actually made it to ringside. Suddenly Finlay was the champion, and everyone was taken aback by the suddenness of the move.
Finlay proved to be a capable champion, both in the ring and on the mike. Eric Bischoff gave him the title because WCW was testing the waters for 'three way' feuds, but when given the ball Finlay ran with it. It was one of the delightfully shocking moments of the Monday night wars, and one for the history books.
#6 Santino Marella wins the Intercontinental title
Though he is now regarded as a comedy act, the WWE originally wanted fans to take Santino Marella very seriously.
So much so, in fact, that they let him beat undefeated Samoan champion Umaga in his debut match! Marella came out of the crowd to challenge Umaga when Raw was being broadcast live from Milan, Italy. The crowd was tremendously behind their countryman, and with a little assist from Bobby Lashley, won the IC strap.
No one expected Santino to even show up, let alone compete for a title and win the thing! Santino's "Milan Miracle" remains a highlight of the ruthless aggression era.
#5 Sting wins TNA championship
When Sting signed a contract with TNA in 2007, everyone just assumed he would be used as a special attraction and ambassador.
But the nearly 50 year old superstar proved that he still had something left in the tank, and won the TNA world championship. Though is reign would not be a long one, his victory took everyone by surprise. It was shocking, and probably the best business move TNA could have made.
#4 The Great Muta wins NWA Television Title
With all respect to Shinsuke Nakamura, The Great Muta is the man who first introduced US audiences to Japanese Strong Style.
Muta had it all: strength, speed, agility, and a great look. He also had the poison mist, and one of wrestling's most hated managers, Gary Hart, by his side.
After fighting Sting to a standstill on several occasions, which led to the TV title being declared vacant, Muta pulled off the upset to win the TV title -- and Sting NEVER won it back from him.
It was a shocking end to one of the best feuds of the pre-WCW NWA era.
#3 Terry Funk wins ECW world title
When Terry Funk made a run for Ric Flair's World title in 1990, it was assumed that he was wrapping up his career with one more go in the big time.
Fast forward seven years, and Terry Funk would become world champion of the US's number three brand, ECW. The then 53-year-old Funk took the belt from Raven in a bloody, brutal contest that pushed both men to their physical limits.
No one expected the senior Funk to pull off the title win, leading to a pleasantly shocked fanbase. Never say never in pro wrestling!
#2 Ultimate Warrior ends Honky Tonk Man's historic reign
During the Classic WWE era, the Intercontinental championship seemed virtually glued to the waist of Wayne Bloom, better known as the Honky Tonk Man.
The evil Elvis impersonator had worn the strap for an unprecedented 454 days, which still stands as a record. As momentum built towards WWE's new gamble, a summer pay-per-view called Summerslam, it seemed that Brutus Beefcake might finally be the one to take Honky Tonk Man's belt.
However, due to a kayfabe injury, Beefcake could not compete at Summerslam. Ever the boastful braggart, Honky got on the microphone and demanded competition, saying he didn't care who he fought.
Once the Warrior's theme music hit, Honky Tonk Man turned white and shook his head, but it was too late. Ultimate Warrior squashed one of the greatest champions of all time with ease, and captured the belt in a moment no one was expecting.
#1 Andre the Giant uses twin magic to win belt off of Hogan
The build-up for Andre and Hogan's rematch couldn't have been bigger. Andre's services had been 'rented' by Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase from manager Bobby Heenan. Andre was going to assist DiBiase with his plan to purchase the WWE title with money rather than hard work.
After Andre choked Hogan out during Saturday Night's Main event, a rematch was scheduled for the two. Heenan finagled it into a title match, and the two titans were set for battle.
Andre pinned Hogan after a suplex, but Hogan's arm shot up by the two count. Referee Earl Hebner kept counting, and declared Andre the victor.
But then ANOTHER Earl Hebner entered the ring, and began arguing with the original referee. It turns out Ted DiBiase had bribed Earl's twin brother, Dave, to screw Hogan out of the title.
Not only was it a shocking title change, it set up the Wrestlemania IV tournament for the title, which was declared vacant after all of the shenanigans.
