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The WWE Hardcore Championship was a championship remembered for its chaos, violence, and handful of champions. The championship was first established in 1998 and was defended in WWE for four years.
The majority of the time, the title was contested under 24/7 rules. A superstar could pin the champion anytime, anywhere, as long as a referee was present. The rules are precisely the same as the currently active WWE 24/7 Championship.
Several current WWE superstars would have been the perfect Hardcore Champion. That being said, let's take a look at five superstars who could be Hardcore Champions.
#5 Sheamus would have been the perfect WWE Hardcore Champion
It goes without saying that Sheamus is one of the toughest WWE superstars currently on the roster. The hard-hitting Irishman is described on WWE.com as having a "red-hot temper that matches his fiery head of hair. Sheamus never backs down from a fight."
He's a fighter and brawler who doesn't shy away from using weapons when means necessary. Sheamus often participates in gimmick matches to get a physical edge over his opponents. He most recently introduced a barroom brawl to his arsenal of gimmick matches.
Sheamus debuted in ECW. The Celtic Warrior spoke with Sports Illustrated about his aspirations and style in October 2020:
"You can win all the titles in the world you want, but it doesn’t mean anything if people aren’t invested in your story. hat’s all I want, the story. And I’m going to give you a very violent one. I thought back to how Dr. Tom Prichard really brought something out of me when I started here, tapping into this aggressive Irish brute. I thought about Stan Hansen. I studied a lot of his matches. I just loved his physical style. When I went to ECW, I worked with Goldust, who was a veteran. We beat the s--- out of each other, and it was awesome," Sheamus said.
The WWE roster would have to be on their guard if Sheamus was running around as Hardcore Champion. His style and experience would tear through the roster to deliver many extreme beatings and Brogue Kicks.
#4 Apollo Crews could be WWE Hardcore Champion
Apollo Crews is one of the most talented wrestlers on the WWE roster. He does various complicated moves to light up every match. Recently at WrestleMania 37, Apollo introduced us to the Nigerian Drum Fight.
It brought a more aggressive style out of Crews', which involved weaponry placed around ringside. It firmly shows that Apollo can adapt. There is no doubt that Crews has what it would take to be a Hardcore Champion. He would have given the best hardcore superstars a run for their money.
#3 Alexa Bliss could be WWE Hardcore Champion
The ECW crowd often chanted, "We want fire!" Their wish was granted most of the time. The most recent use of fire on WWE was when Alexa Bliss threw a fireball in the face of Randy Orton. Many extreme wrestling enthusiasts would have dubbed that Bliss has turned hardcore.
Alexa's recent character has made her undeniably dangerous and a possible contender to a Hardcore Champion. Using her trickery and mind games, amongst other things, she could have had a long run as the champion.
#2 Shayna Baszler could be WWE Hardcore Champion
Is anyone on the WWE roster quite as dangerous as Shayna Baszler? The Queen of Spades was once the most feared women's superstar on NXT. It appears she is once again finding her aggressive side on the main roster.
She would strike fear into the hardcore division and would have no problem standing her ground against the best. Shayna is also not afraid to use various weapons to her advantage, making her even more dangerous. We may as well dub her the new Queen of Hardcore right now.
#1 Kevin Owens could be the Hardcore Champion
Kevin Owens would have no problem carrying the WWE Hardcore Championship. Before his time with WWE, Owens was tearing it up at promotions such as Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and CZW, with the latter known for their ultraviolent matches. He would be able to carry that experience forward with him and be the King of Hardcore.
KO hasn't shyed away from getting extreme in WWE. He has featured in multiple weapon-based gimmick matches. He once jumped off the WrestleMania sign at WrestleMania 36! Nothing phases Owens, and taking over the hardcore division would be like a cakewalk for him.
