10 WWE Legends who never won a singles title

Here's what the trajectory of a successful Superstar in WWE normally looks like. You make your debut, you compete in a few significant feuds, and then challenge for a title, eventually winning one. Well, unfortunately, it doesn't work as simply for some WWE legends.

We've seen quite a few names in the company who've gone on to make a name for themselves and competed in some serious storylines, only to never win a singles title.

For whatever reasons, WWE just didn't find it suitable enough to put a singles title around the waist of these Superstars. They were able to win over the WWE Universe, but just never managed to win singles gold. Here's a look at 10 such WWE legends.

#10 Dusty Rhodes

Dusty Rhodes had already made a name for himself in WCW and Jim Crockett Promotions by the time he arrived in WWE in the 1989. He would be reduced a comical gimmick at first, wearing polka-dotted attire.

The American Dream did have significant feuds with the likes of Randy Savage and Ted DiBiase before he departed the company. The late Rhodes taught the art of cutting promos at WWE's Performance Center and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

#9 Jerry "The King" Lawler

Jerry "The King" Lawler was already in the twilight of his career by the time he arrived in WWE in the 90s. Lawler had already won titles the world over but started in Vince McMahon's company as a ring announcer.

Lawler had elongated feuds with the Hart family, Roddy Piper, and Tazz amongst others. However, he was never in the title picture in WWE and is more remembered in the company for his role as a color commentator. Lawler is also a WWE Hall of Fame inductee.

#8 Bam Bam Bigelow

The late Bam Bam Bigelow had two stints with WWE. And while he did hold the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, it must be remembered that the promotion functioned separately from WWE at the time.

Bigelow's most notable push for a singles title came against Bret Hart whom he challenged for the then WWF World Heavyweight Championship during his early days in the company. He would also team up with Tatanka when he was a part of the Millian Dollar Corporation to challenge for the tag titles but was unsuccessful there as well.

#7 Jimmy Snuka

The father of current WWE Superstar Tamina, Jimmy Snuka revolutionized the pro wrestling industry in the 70s and 80s by introducing his high flying style. Pro wrestling was viewed with a more methodical and on the mat lens at the time.

Jimmy Snuka dispatched several Superstars such as Bob Orton and Roddy Piper with his legendary Superfly Splash. However, he couldn't overcome Bob Backlund to win a singles title in WWE despite multiple shots at his WWF Championship.

#6 Sting

While Sting primarily made his name in WCW, the impact he had in his short tenure in WWE following his debut was worthy of a WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2016.

The Stinger started feuding with The Authority soon after his arrival in the company and duly received a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight title against Seth Rollins at Night of Champions in 2015.

It's unfortunate that not only did Sting lose the match, but he also had to retire from wrestling following a neck injury caused by a botched bucklebomb from The Architect.

#5 Harley Race

Harley Race was well into his 40s before joining WWE but he was an acclaimed legend of the pro wrestling world, having won multiple world titles in Japan and NWA before foraying into Vince McMahon's company.

Harley Race would win the King of the Ring tournament in 1986 and have significant feuds with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Junkyard Dog, and Jim Duggan but couldn't get his hands on a singles title before his eventual departure in 1989.

#4 Lex Luger

The Narcissist Lex Luger only had a short tenure in WWE but was able to have solid feuds against the likes of Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig and Yokozuna. It was against the latter that Luger got his World Heavyweight Championship shots.

Lex Luger was able to beat Yokozuna during the match at SummerSlam 1993, but it was only via a count-out, so the titles didn't swap hands. He would again face the same opponent at WrestleMania X, but a disqualification resulted in him returning empty-handed once again.

#3 "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan has several firsts to his name. He was the winner of the first Royal Rumble match in 1988 and had also participated in the first-ever WWE Survivor Series match at the titular PPV, ending up on the winning side.

Duggan endeared himself to the WWE Universe with his patriotic gimmick but was never able to win a singles title. He got shots at both the Intercontinental Heavyweight title against Honky Tonk and the World Heavyweight title against Sgt. Slaughter but failed to capitalize on them.

#2 Vader

Before the Big Shows and Braun Strowmans of the world, there was Vader. He had an explosive debut in WWE during the Royal Rumble match in 1996 where he would eliminate four Superstars before being ousted himself by Shawn Michaels. Despite being eliminated, Vader would return inside and attack everyone else.

He followed this up with several other dominant showings and it should have eventually led to a title run but bad booking from WWE Creative didn't allow that to happen. Vader lost his only WWE title shot against The Undertaker at In Your House 16 before being reduced to a mid-card role.

#1 Jake "The Snake" Roberts

Currently signed to AEW, the most iconic moment in WWE involving Jake "The Snake" Roberts is, unfortunately, him being on the receiving end of the Austin 3:16 promo. Known for bringing a python with himself to the ring, Roberts was one of the best people of the mic in the company and was great at playing mind games with his opponents.

Despite being a heel, he was loved by the fans which possibly prevented him from getting a title shot against the then WWF Champion Hulk Hogan who was a babyface. Roberts had challenged for Macho Man Randy Savage's Intercontinental title as well but returned unsuccessfully.

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