5 Former WWE Champions who have never had a proper feud for the Universal Title

The WWE Universal Championship was introduced in 2016 following the brand split to give RAW a top Champion. With a list of titleholders including Brock Lesnar, Goldberg, and Roman Reigns, the Title has become a staple of the promotion and one of the more prestigious Championships in the business today.

Many fans feared that the Universal Title would take away from the credibility of the WWE Championship. The company has somehow found a way to make both titles feel important without taking away the other.

There have been eight Universal Champions in the title's history, but only three have ever won the WWE Title before that.

With the Universal Championship entering its sixth year in the promotion, it seems fun to look at the legacy it has left behind with its winners and those who haven't been able to hold or even challenge for the gold.

In this article, let's take a look at the five former WWE Champions who have never had a match or a full-time feud for the Universal Title.

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#5 Former two-time WWE Champion Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre hasn't been the happiest WWE Superstar as of late. Since being drafted to SmackDown, the Scottish Warrior has set his sights on the Universal Championship, but Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville seem to be preventing him from getting close to his opportunity. This is a stark difference from how things were for McIntyre on RAW last year.

Drew McIntyre outlasted 29 other competitors to win the 2020 Men's Royal Rumble Match. He went to WrestleMania 36 and defeated Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Championship.

His first reign lasted 214 days until Randy Orton beat him at Hell In A Cell 2020. McIntyre regained the WWE Title from Orton quickly on the RAW before Survivor Series 2020.

McIntyre's second reign lasted 97 days, bringing his total day to over 300-plus. He was consistently featured at the top of the card after losing the gold to The Miz at Elimination Chamber 2021. The Scottish Warrior was in the WWE Championship Match at three straight shows, from WrestleMania 37 to Hell In A Cell 2021.

The former two-time WWE Champion has been among the top babyfaces in the company since his two reigns. McIntyre has many fans speculating if he will be the challenger for Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 37 next year.

Regardless of what happens then, Drew McIntyre has to be among the top WWE Champions to never challenge for the title.

#4 Former Two-Time WWE Champion Sheamus

Sheamus has been one of the most consistent in-ring performers during the pandemic era for WWE. He has been part of show stealers on pay-per-view and television while also having a lengthy reign as United States Champion this past summer. The Celtic Warrior is no stranger to winning the big one, a former two-time WWE Champion.

Despite unquestionably being one of the best workers on the roster and all his accolades, Sheamus has never challenged the Universal Championship. It may have been because he was on a different brand or asked to play a different role, but it is crazy to think after five years that someone with the credibility of Sheamus has been able to get a shot.

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#3 Former WWE Champion Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy was released from his WWE contract on December 9th after returning to the company in 2017. His run started with a Hardy Boyz reunion and later transitioned into a singles role. The Charismatic Enigma won the United States and Intercontinental Championships during this time.

However, things ended in controversial fashion as Hardy was taken off the road for looking sluggish during a house show.

Despite his real-life issues, it is quite surprising how much Jeff Hardy wasn't utilized as a top star. The Charismatic Enigma is a former WWE Champion and two-time World Heavyweight Champion, but Hardy was never used as the main event talent that he once was. Jeff Hardy's latest run could be looked at as a case of "what if?".

#2 Former WWE Champion Kofi Kingston

It took Kofi Kingston over 11 years before he received a shot at the top prize in the WWE. It was a lengthy and grueling journey that saw the New Day member come up short inside the Elimination Chamber and have hurdle after hurdle put in front of him by Vince McMahon. However, he withstood all the punishment and went on to WrestleMania 35 to defeat Daniel Bryan and win the WWE Championship.

Kofi Kingston's eventual defeat at the hands of Brock Lesnar, losing the WWE Title, led to his return to the tag team division and it seemed like Kofi would never get close to the top again.

However, this past summer saw Kofi Kingston pick up momentum again and challenge for the gold at Money In The Bank 2021. It was another tough loss as Bobby Lashley demolished him.

Despite being involved in the WWE Title picture so often over the past few years, Kofi Kingston has found himself on the outside looking in on contending for the Universal Championship.

It looked like Kofi would get a shot on the RAW after WrestleMania 35 in a Winner Takes All Match against Seth Rollins. While the bout did get underway, it was ended quickly as The Bar interferred. Till now, Kofi has never had a full feud for the Universal Championship.

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#1 Former 10-Time WWE Champion Randy Orton

This one will definitely surprise many fans, but Randy Orton has never been in a Universal Championship Match or a feud for the Title. The Legend Killer has been a headliner in WWE since winning the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam 2004. He went on to win his first WWE Championship in 2007 and won his 14th just last year.

Randy Orton started off on the opposite brand as the Universal Title on SmackDown when the title was introduced. The Apex Predator was eventually drafted to Monday Night RAW, but that was when the Universal Championship went over to SmackDown. It was like they were passing ships in a night of sorts.

When looking at the current SmackDown roster, the list of potential challengers for Roman Reigns and the Universal Title is sparse to say the least. Randy Orton is the type of opponent who will have credibility and make fans question if there will be a title change, which has been very rare during the reign of the Tribal Chief.

Randy Orton might be remembered as one of the most decorated WWE Superstars in history. He is already recognized as a grand slam winner, but winning this last major Championship might put the cherry on top of an all-time great career. That's why Randy Orton is the most surprising former WWE Champion who has never challenged for the Universal Championship.