5 Former ROH World Champions who have achieved success in WWE

Bryan, Rollins, and Owens are three of top stars in WWE today
Bryan, Rollins, and Owens are three of top stars in WWE today

#3 Tyler Black (Seth Rollins)

Rollins (as ROH World Champion) with former ROH Owner, Cary Silkin
Rollins (as ROH World Champion) with former ROH Owner, Cary Silkin

It is quite ironic that Seth Rollins, who is one of the most hated men within the IWC today, was at one time one of its most beloved stars. This time, a decade ago (in 2010), Rollins reigned supreme as the ROH World Champion under the name 'Tyler Black'. He was one of the fastest rising stars during his time in the independent circuit.

Black debuted in ROH as part of 'The Age of the Fall' alongside Jimmy Jacobs and Necro Butcher in what is considered by many to be one of the most controversial angles in ROH history. The trio attacked The Briscoe Brothers and hanged Jay Briscoe upside down. After two successful title reigns as ROH World Tag Team Champion alongside his mentor, Jimmy Jacobs, Black would transition into becoming a singles competitor.

Black's first shot at the ROH World Championship came against Nigel McGuiness at Take No Prisoners 2008. In a highly-contested bout, Black would come up short with McGuiness successfully retaining his title.

Black won the 2009 Survival of the Fittest tournament, thereby earning an opportunity to face Austin Aries for the ROH World Championship. At Final Battle 2009, Black and Aries' match ended in a sixty-minute time-limit draw. A rematch was set between the two for ROH's 8th anniversary where Black defeated Aries to become the ROH World Champion.

He successfully his title against the likes of Davey Richards, Austin Aries, Kevin Steen, and Roderick Strong. His final match in ROH saw Black drop the title to Roderick Strong at Glory by Honor IX in a no-disqualification.

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After signing with WWE in 2012, Rollins rose to the top of WWE's developmental, FCW and NXT, becoming the inaugural NXT Champion. At Survivor Series 2012, The Architect would make his main roster debut as part of 'The Shield' alongside Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose and the rest, as they say, is history. Rollins has been one of the cornerstones of WWE for the past few years vowing fans with his athleticism and impeccable in-ring acumen.

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