10 WWE Superstars who were forced to relinquish titles due to injury

Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan

#8. Seth Rollins had to relinquish the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

Seth Rollins on Monday Night RAW
Seth Rollins on Monday Night RAW

Seth Rollins was the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion in 2015, until an accident occurred on a WWE house show in Europe. During a match with Kane in Dublin, Ireland, Rollins landed on his leg awkwardly. It resulted in a torn ACL, MCL and medial meniscus in the knee.

Rollins was speculated to be out of action for up to nine months following his surgery. It was a brutal injury for a superstar who was on the rise. Rollins did eventually return the following year in May, attacking his former Shield buddy Roman Reigns at Extreme Rules in 2016.

#7. John Cena had to relinquish the WWE Championship

John Cena at Money in the Bank 2021
John Cena at Money in the Bank 2021

John Cena was the face of WWE in October 2007 and the reigning WWE Champion on Monday Night RAW. He came up against Mr Kennedy in what was dubbed a first-time ever match.

During the match, Cena suffered a pectoral tear, which tore completely off the bone and required surgery. Cena was expected to be out of action anywhere from six to nine months.

It was the first major injury of John Cena's career and one that would rock WWE and their plans. John Cena miraculously returned three months later. Yes, you read that correctly, THREE MONTHS LATER, at the Royal Rumble event to defy all scientific odds. Cena went on to win the match, entering at number 30 in one of the greatest moments in WWE history.

#6. Melina had to relinquish the WWE Divas Championship

Melina on Monday Night RAW
Melina on Monday Night RAW

It wasn't a Happy New Year for Melina in 2010, as she sadly had to relinquish her WWE Divas Championship. At a house show on December 29th 2009, Melina suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The match itself was a six-woman tag team match.

Melina returned to our screens eight months after the injury happened. She went on to defeat Alicia Fox to become Divas Champion once again at that year's SummerSlam.

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