3 WWE Jobbers Who Became World Champions and 2 Champions Who Became Jobbers

The WWE Universe is well aware of the term ‘jobber’ and ‘main eventer’. These two types are also familiar with each other as some of the current Superstars once played these two roles. Any jobber we see today has got a pretty good chance of becoming the new top star in the wrestling industry. However, reaching into that status doesn’t depend on just one factor. There are many wrestlers in WWE who are once jobbers but after some months (or years), they became show closers.

The creative team doesn’t know who may get the eyeballs of fans in the upcoming time and we all know that as well. Becky Lynch, for instance, is a wrestler WWE never thought could get into the main event scene but now, she is the hottest thing in this entire company. She was more like a mid-carder than a jobber though. However, there are still some pretty good names remaining that you may consider as your current hero. So without wasting more time, let’s take a look at some WWE jobbers who became World Champions and some Champions who are now jobbers.

#5 Jobber became champion: Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler is currently on a break with wrestling

Now, some of you will argue that Dolph Ziggler was never a jobber as he was always in the mid-card scene. But, it isn’t the truth.

A long-time WWE fan will be able to tell that Ziggler, initially, was a jobber who rarely won any matches. Firstly, He worked as Kerwin White’s caddy and then as a member of The Spirit Squad. And even before joining WWE, he was in the same position. That time, Ziggler worked using different names.

His dream of winning the World Championship became true when his on-screen girlfriend and Smackdown’s General Manager, Vickie Guerrero awarded him the championship after Edge used his finishing move Spear despite it being banned. However, he lost the title same night to Edge and then, it took him 2 more years to win this title back. In 2013, Ziggler won the Money In The Bank contract and cashed in on Alberto Del Rio. However, this time as well his reign was brief as Ziggler lost the title after 69 days to Del Rio.

#4 Champion became jobber: Jinder Mahal

Jinder Mahal once had a reign as a WWE Champion

Jinder Mahal is WWE’s recent experiment. Vince McMahon thought that it would be great to make Mahal the WWE Champion but things didn't happen exactly the way he thought.

The Modern Day Maharaja won the World Championship by defeating Randy Orton at Backlash 2017. He then defended his title against many wrestlers and always got the victory with the help of Singh Brothers.

At Survivor Series, he was going to face Brock Lesnar in a Champion vs Champion match but the last-minute change in plans forced him to drop the title to AJ Styles. Mahal then won the US Championship at ‘Mania 34 but his reign was brief as he lost the title after 8 days of winning it. After the Superstar Shake-up, he came to Monday Night Raw where he lost his main event (or mid card) position and now is working as a jobber.

#3 Jobber became champion: AJ Styles

The former WWE Champion AJ Styles once used to work for WCW and WWE but he failed in both during his first run. He fought 7 matches in total for both promotions and only won 2 of them. WWE liked his style of wrestling and they offered him a developmental contract.

However, Styles didn’t sign with them because of her wife and then started working for various Independent Promotions.

“I had a developmental deal to move to Cincinnati but at the time I was married and I didn't think it was right to move to Cincinnati, even though my wife said, ‘go.’ It wasn't right to leave her, have her move back in with her mother. My job is to take care of her. (H/T: Foxsports)

However, The Phenomenal One returned to Vince McMahon’s company after 14 years and quickly became a top Superstar. During his first year, Styles won the WWE Championship and kept it for 140 days.

#2 Champion became jobber: Jack Swagger

Jack Swagger is another WWE Superstar who won the World Championship but soon became a jobber. Swagger started his WWE career as a mid-carder but in some years, won the World Heavyweight Title.

At Wrestlemania 26, he won the Money In The Bank contract and then decided to cash it against Chris Jericho after he was ambushed by Edge. Swagger successfully cashed in the briefcase for the WWE World Heavyweight Title and then remained as the champion for 82 days. His title reign came to an end at the Fatal-4-Way pay-per-view where Rey Mysterio defeated him, CM Punk and The Big Show to become the new champion.

Even though Swagger then won the US Championship, it didn’t take him long before he began jobbing to other young talents. Finally, in 2017, WWE released him and now Swagger is working with many Independent Promotions.

#1 Jobber became champion: Daniel Bryan

The current WWE Champion Daniel Bryan is another wrestler who debuted as a jobber before becoming a main eventer. He lost (almost) every match during his initial days in WWE but then returned to the Independent Circuit, where he rebuilt himself.

Bryan returned to the WWE in 2010 and in some time, won the US Title. Keeping the title for the next 176 days, Bryan also provided many great matches. After dropping the title, he became the World Heavyweight Champion and his reign lasted more than 3 months.

Bryan career skyrocketed again when he started the YES! Movement in WWE. He became the biggest Superstar in the company and the fans wanted him to win the Royal Rumble 2014 match.

However, it didn’t happen and Batista won the match which produced riot among the fans. Then, WWE listened to the audience and then changed their ‘Mania plans and included Bryan in it as well. Even though an unfortunate injury forced him to retire in 2016 but last year Bryan made his in-ring return and currently is the WWE Champion.