5 WWE Superstars who benefited from losing a match

Pro Wrestling is a predetermined sport, and this fact isn't exactly a secret in today's age where kayfabe is a thing of the past. There was a time back in the 70s and 80s when WWE and other major promotions used to go to great lengths to keep kayfabe alive. It was an age when fans used to believe that WWE contests were legit matches, thus making the wins/losses mean a lot for them.

Today, fans are aware that a promotion determines beforehand who's going to win or lose a match. The wins still matter for a WWE Superstar, as coming out on top regularly eventually leads to a main-event run, and the perks that come with it. Even though the sport is predetermined, no Superstar wants to lose a match, and harm their position on the roster.

Interestingly, there have been instances in WWE history where losing a match proved to be beneficial for a Superstar in the long run. We'll list five such instances below.

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#5 Randy Orton (vs. Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam 2016)

Randy Orton

The 2017 Royal Rumble match saw WWE veteran Randy Orton winning the free-for-all, for the second time in his career. Orton had previously won the match in 2009, thus bagging a shot at Triple H's WWE title at WrestleMania 25. This time around as well, Orton went on to compete for the WWE title at The Show of Shows and defeated Bray Wyatt to win the belt.

The rumored reason for Orton's push was that Vince McMahon was very pleased with him for taking the beating of a lifetime at the hands of Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam 2016. Vince particularly liked how Orton did the job like a pro and didn't complain one bit.

This was the WWE Chairman's way of rewarding Orton, after what he went through at The Biggest Party of the Summer. Orton lost to Lesnar in an almost one-sided contest and was left in a pool of his blood when Lesnar was done with him. In the long run, though, the loss only benefited him and he received a mega push on the road to WrestleMania.

#4 The Rock (vs. Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam 2002)

The Rock

By the time WWE SummerSlam 2002 came around, it was clear as day that WWE was ushering in a new era, and was slowly moving away from the glory days of the Attitude Era. Vince McMahon had dubbed this new era as "The Ruthless Aggression Era". Brock Lesnar was being groomed as the company's future megastar, and his King of the Ring 2002 win was only the beginning of a major push. At SummerSlam 2002, Lesnar defeated The Rock to win his first WWE title, with fans turning on The Great One during the match. In hindsight, one can safely say that this loss did a world of good to The Rock.

The Rock was on his way back to Hollywood following the match, and thus the fans booed him. After the loss, The Rock hinted at a heel turn in a moment that wasn't shown on TV. He returned months later, donning the persona of Hollywood Rock. This new version of The Rock was a cocky, obnoxious character who bragged about his riches and berated the fans at every opportunity he got.

The character didn't last long, but is widely hailed as one of the greatest heels of all time for the incredible work he did in a very short period of time. The two most memorable instances from Hollywood Rock's WWE run were his heel promo against the fans in Toronto, and his surprising loss to The Hurricane, both of which made for must-watch TV. One wonders if we would have ever gotten Hollywood Rock, if it hadn't been for his loss at SummerSlam 2002.

#3 Daniel Bryan (vs. Sheamus at WrestleMania 28)

Daniel Bryan

The opening match of WrestleMania 28 saw Daniel Bryan defending his World title against Sheamus. Even though a heel, Bryan had the support of a large number of fans, who chanted 'Yes' along with him on all occasions. In a surprising turn of events, Bryan lost the match and the title in a mere 18 seconds. Fans couldn't believe what they had just seen, and also weren't thrilled with Bryan having an 18-second outing at WrestleMania. The WWE Universe chanted for Bryan in the matches that followed, and the chants only grew louder on the next night on WWE RAW.

A squash loss is something no Superstar wants to suffer. In this case though, the loss only helped Bryan garner the sympathy of the fans and led to him becoming one of the biggest Superstars in WWE in a matter of years. Bryan would defeat John Cena at SummerSlam 2013 for the WWE title, immediately losing it to Randy Orton following Triple H's betrayal. This was another major loss that benefited Bryan in the long run. In a matter of months, the fan support for Bryan reached new heights and WWE could do nothing but give him the push of a lifetime. Bryan went on to defeat Triple H, Batista, and Randy Orton on the same night to win the WWE World title at WrestleMania 30.

#2 Becky Lynch (vs Charlotte Flair and Carmella at SummerSlam 2018)

Becky Lynch

At WWE WrestleMania 34, Becky Lynch wasn't event featured on the main card. She competed in the first-ever WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal, in a losing effort. By the time SummerSlam 2018 arrived, fans had gotten tired of Lynch not getting a push. At the event, Becky lost a WWE SmackDown Women's title Triple Threat match to Charlotte Flair and Carmella. No one had any idea that this loss would kick off one of the biggest pushes in modern history.

Becky turned heel by attacking Charlotte after the match, and was met with a loud chorus of cheers from the fans. The fans didn't forget to boo Charlotte out of the building, even though she was a babyface. Lynch soon donned the persona of "The Man", and went on to become the most popular Superstar in all of WWE. An injury that she suffered at the hands of Nia Jax prevented her from taking on Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series 2018, and this only made the fans cheer for her more.

Months later, Becky defeated both Charlotte and Rousey in the first-ever Women's main event in WrestleMania history, thus becoming a double Women's Champion.

#1 Stone Cold Steve Austin (vs. Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13)

WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin

The WWE WrestleMania 13 encounter between Bret "The Hitman" Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin is rightfully dubbed by many as one of the greatest matches in the history of this business. The classic brawl was officiated by MMA legend Ken Shamrock, and kept fans at the edge of their seats from start to finish. The final moments of the match have been etched in fans' minds forever.

As Bret Hart secured the Sharpshooter on Austin, he refused to utter the words, "I Quit". Austin's bloodied face while being locked in a Sharpshooter told the whole story. He finally passed out and Hart was declared the winner. This is still regarded as the best example of a "double turn", an instance where fans turn on a wrestler in the midst of a match, and begin supporting the other Superstar. Austin lost the match, but was instantly made into a star due to his performance and that iconic image in the final moments of the bout.

He never looked back and was pushed to the moon over the next few years. Austin defeated Shawn Michaels at WWE WrestleMania 14 to become WWE Champion, and went on to become one of the greatest Superstars in WWE history, rivaling the popularity of Hulk Hogan in the process.