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As a part of embracing the new era, the McMahons and Triple H have recently scrapped the automatic title rematch clause - which gave the champion the right to challenge for the championship after losing it. From now on, every superstar has to "earn" the opportunity at a title shot.
Earlier, the automatic rematch clause was used to prolong a feud, and to end it for good. AJ Styles is the last superstar to get an automatic rematch after he challenged Daniel Bryan at TLC 2018, in which Bryan won after a roll up.
This rematch clause, however, did not mean that every former champion got their deserved rematch. While most of the others made use of the rights, some of the others were neglected for the storyline conveniences.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the latter part - 5 superstars who never got their obligatory rematch for a world championship.
Examples of world championships are the WWE Championship, Universal Champion, and the World Heavyweight Championship. The superstars who had to relinquish their title due to injury and part-timers who did not come back in a long time to reclaim the title are not considered in this list.
#5 Randy Orton - WWE World Heavyweight Championship (2014)
When WWE decided to unify the WWE Championship and the Big Gold belt, Randy Orton hit the jackpot and became the first-ever undisputed world champion of the PG era. Orton defeated Cena at TLC 2013, successfully defended it at Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber in 2014.
At WrestleMania 30, Orton had two challengers for the WWE world heavyweight championship - the 2014 Royal Rumble match winner Batista and Daniel Bryan, who got there due to tremendous support from the crowd. Bryan tapped Batista out in the main event of Wrestlemania to win the titles.
However, Orton never got his rematch for the title. Soon, Triple H reunited Evolution to tackle The Shield, but Orton was never given the rematch to reclaim his title. Since Orton was not even involved at the end of the match, we think the Apex Predator deserved at least one chance to recapture his title.
#4 Sheamus - WWE Championship (2010)
Sheamus made his first year in WWE memorable by winning a battle royale to earn himself an opportunity to challenge the then WWE champion John Cena for the WWE championship at TLC 2009 in a tables match.
No one gave a chance for the rookie to go over the veteran. However, at the event, the Celtic Warrior turned the tables on Cena and won his first ever world championship in WWE.
However, his first title reign was not memorable. Sheamus retained his title only via Disqualification. At Elimination Chamber 2010, Sheamus lost the title to John Cena, and never received a proper one-on-one rematch.
John Cena went on to have a lengthy feud against Batista, whereas Sheamus was involved in a grueling feud against Triple H, which concluded with the end of Hunter's full-time career as a wrestler. Sheamus did reclaim the championship in a multi-man match a few months later.
#3 Kevin Owens - Universal Championship (2017)
The Universal Championship is one of the most cursed titles, and most of its champions never got their rematch for one reason or another. Finn Balor got injured and had to wait two years to get his rematch.
Goldberg retired after losing the title to Brock Lesnar. Roman Reigns vacated the title and is still in recovery. Officially Brock Lesnar is the only Universal Champion to invoke his rematch clause.
One name often overlooked in the list of the Universal champions is Kevin Owens. After winning the title on RAW after a fatal 4-way elimination match, Owens got a loud reaction from the crowd.
Along with Chris Jericho, Owens was the best part of RAW in the late 2016s. He had some memorable bouts against Braun Strowman, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. However, at Fastlane 2017, Owens was squashed by Bill Goldberg. Owens is yet to receive a rematch, and with the new rules in place, it is unlikely that he will get one soon.
#2 Brock Lesnar - WWE Championship (2004)
Brock Lesnar's first run with WWE ended in 2004. Though short, Lesnar's debut and his subsequent run with the company was nothing short of dominating. Lesnar scored huge wins over the big names of The Rock and The Undertaker.
The Beast Incarnate had multiple title reigns to his name and his last WWE title run during his first run began after winning a 60-minute iron man match against Kurt Angle. Lesnar had successfully defended the titles against many of his opponents.
During his reign, he began a feud with RAW's Goldberg. During Lesnar's No Way Out 2004 match against Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Championship, Goldberg interfered in the match, costing Lesnar the title.
However, after losing the title, Lesnar did not get his rematch, since he was busy chasing Goldberg (and was planning to leave WWE after his contract expired).
It would take ten more years before Brock Lesnar would get another shot at the WWE championship.
#1 The Undertaker - World Heavyweight Championship (2010)
It would be shocking to many to know that it has been nine years since The Undertaker last held any title in WWE. After a long rivalry with CM Punk, 'Taker won his last and seventh world title at Hell in a Cell in 2009. After that, The Phenom went on to defend his title in numerous PPVs against numerous opponents.
At Elimination Chamber 2010, Undertaker looked all set to retain his title. The last two men standing inside the demonic structure were Chris Jericho and The Undertaker himself. However, Shawn Michaels appeared out of the blue to superkick The Undertaker and gifted Jericho the World Heavyweight championship.
This intrusion led to an epic feud between the Heart Break Kid and The Phenom. However, 'Taker never got a rematch. Chris Jericho went on to have a rivalry against Edge. Even though he later faced Kane in a series of matches for the title, none of them was his "official" rematch.
