What is a jobber? It’s someone who is brought in to lose a match quickly in order to make his opponent look strong. You might have seen a bunch of them being destroyed by Braun Strowman on his path of destruction. Sure, they might be called Performance Enhancement Talent or whatever the fancy term is, but at the heart of it, they’re jobbers.
But obviously, there’s a reason for these men to turn up on WWE programming and be humiliated. One of those reasons is money. But, another more important reason is that it is an entry point into the world of professional wrestling.
In fact, a number of the top WWE superstars you see today started out as jobbers during the early phases of their careers. And, I'm not just talking about some mid card level talents here. There are proper WWE World Champions who were jobbers once upon a time.
So, without any further ado, here are 5 former WWE Champions who were once jobbers:
#5 Dean Ambrose
While Dean Ambrose was making waves on the independent scene under the name of John Moxley, he was afforded the opportunity to make an appearance on an episode of Monday Night Raw as a jobber back in 2007. Sporting shock pink hair and a nasty facial expression, Ambrose gladly obliged.
A few years later, he would come over to WWE developmental and then the rest is history. He has enjoyed great success as part of The Shield and then as a single's competitor, including picking up a WWE Championship this past year in 2016.
#4 Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy started out as a jobber for the WWE during the 1990s. Not just Jeff Hardy but his brother Matt Hardy as well. But, for the purpose of this list – since we’re only talking about former WWE Champions – we’ll stick to the younger Hardy.
The funny thing about this is that Hardy actually jobbed his first match when he was just 16 years old. He lied and claimed he was 18 in order to get the gig. Jeff Hardy wrestled under the moniker Keith Davis – the name of the scheduled jobber who backed out at the last minute – and jobbed to Razor Ramon in 1994.
After this illustrious start to his career, Jeff would make a name for himself as a tag team specialist with his brother Matt until single’s action came calling. He has collected 3 World Titles during his long career – 2 World Heavyweight Championships and 1 WWE Championship to have come full circle from his debut as a nobody.
#3 Daniel Bryan
From someone who jobbed to the legendary Razor Ramon to someone who jobbed to John Cena, once upon a time. Daniel Bryan worked as a jobber for the WWE way back in 2002 and 2003 – under his real name, Bryan Danielson – before departing the company on an indie adventure that would take him all around the world.
He would return to the WWE’s developmental program in 2009 and establish himself as a member of The Nexus when he was pushed up to the main roster. After the unfortunate tie-choking incident which resulted in him being fired, his return in 2010 would be the run that led him to greatness.
Over the next six years until his in-ring retirement in 2016, Bryan would win 4 World Championships. One World Heavyweight Championship and 3 WWE Championships – including the iconic Wrestlemania 30 win to become WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Started as a jobber and retired as a legend.
#2 AJ Styles
That’s right, the Phenomenal One – AJ Styles – started off as a lowly jobber. At least Jeff Hardy and Daniel Bryan jobbed to some notable names. Styles only had one televised match during his first run with the WWE – way back in 2002 – when he jobbed to The Hurricane on an episode of Metal, of all things. He would leave the company shortly after this.
Following the departure, Styles made a name for himself as one of the very best in the world and fans were ecstatic to see him come to the WWE during the 2016 Royal Rumble. A phenomenal (if you’ll excuse the pun) first year saw him pick up the WWE Championship from Dean Ambrose.
It might be his only WWE Championship, but considering the fact that he picked up the top belt less than a year after making his WWE debut, it’s incredible that a guy who jobbed for The Hurricane in 2002 is now the biggest star in the company.
#1 Edge
Edge is one of the most decorated superstars ever to step foot inside the squared circle – be it in the WWE or anywhere else in the world. He has won 31 major Championships – 11 WWE World Heavyweight Championships, 14 Tag Team Titles, 5 Intercontinental Titles, and one US Championship from his time with WCW.
To add to his, he won the Royal Rumble in 2010, the King of the Ring in 2001, The Money in the Bank in 2005 – the first ever Money in the Bank – as well as 2007. He is a WWE Hall of Famer from the Class of 2012 after being forced into retirement.
And, he started off as a lowly jobber by the name of Damon Striker back in the 1990s jobbing for nobodies. What a guy.
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