Top 20 worst world title changes in wrestling history

19. Triple H def. Randy Orton, Randy Orton def. Triple H: No Mercy 2007

Speaking of handing someone a title, that’s exactly what happened at No Mercy in the fall of 2007. Randy Orton had been involved in one of his great feuds with John Cena leading up to the event (this was the one where he kicked Cena’s father in the head) and the two had great matches for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam and Unforgiven. A Last Man Standing Match was set for No Mercy but just six days before the match, Cena legitimately tore his pectoral muscle on Monday Night RAW and was forced to vacate the title.

So instead of having some sort of tournament to crown a new champion, Vince McMahon just gave the title to Orton to kick off No Mercy but did say that he would have to defend it that night. And if you’re keeping score, this was how Randy Orton first “won” the WWE Championship. He had previously held the World Heavyweight Championship but this was his first reign with the biggest prize in the industry.

Naturally, Triple H came out to challenge Orton for the strap and they actually kicked off the show that night in Chicago. And naturally, Triple H came out on top. So that’s how Orton’s first reign as WWE Champion went. But hang on just a minute. Not pleased with the outcome, Orton demanded his rematch that same night but Triple H first had to defend the title against Umaga, a match that had already been set. Triple H won that battle but lost his next one as the night came to a close and Orton became a two-time WWE Champion in one night.

I understand the circumstances but the whole thing was very rushed, very sloppy and didn’t really do anything for anyone, outside of adding a couple of numbers to some inflated reigns. So when you hear that Orton is a 13-time this or Triple H is a 14-time that, don’t let the numbers fool you. Three of those combined 27 reigns took place in one night and Orton didn’t even earn one of them.