MR. TITO: Should WWE or AEW Use World Titles as Lifetime Achievement Awards or Participation Trophies?

I want to extend my congrats to Sami Zayn on becoming the NEW WWE Champion. He’s worked hard since 2013 as a WWE contracted wrestler and been taking bumps as a wrestler since 2002. For the last 13 years, he has wrestled in many top tier matches that I actually rewatch. For example, his 5-star match with Shinsuke Nakamura at NXT Takeover Dallas during 2016 and the 5-star classic tag match against the Usos at Wrestlemania 39. In my opinion, his addition to Bloodline during 2022 actually made the group better, as the drama at the end of Royal Rumble 2023 was top-notch story telling. Then, that poured into Wrestlemania 39 with that amazing night #1 tag match against the Usos with Kevin Owens.

Working within or alongside many corporate structures, I understand the crowning of Sami Zayn. He’s a company man who worked hard, obedient to the cause, and has multiple standout moments where he went above and beyond. I could argue the same about Jey Uso in the WWE as well, along with Darby Allin in AEW becoming their World Champion recently. Sami, Jey, and Darby put in the time and effort to deserve a reward. That’s what you also try to achieve in the corporate setting, although there’s a difference between a reward and an acknowledgement versus a permanent promotion to a higher role in the company.

As wrestling fans, our expectations are often through-the-roof and we demand absolute quality from wrestling promotions. On their end, wrestling promoters are working 7 days a week and 15 hours a day to help satisfy our expectations. It often doesn’t match, but there are times when promoters listen to fans too closely and translate short-term momentum into what they think are long-term gains. However, once the title is achieved for a particular performer, it is soon realized that achieving the title was their peak. The very best wrestlers have peak moments AFTER they become World Champion. For example, look at Stone Cold Steve Austin from Wrestlemania 14 in 1998 through just before he left at Survivor Series 1999. Austin grew infinitely as a star after becoming world champion.

Title belts are where my expectations are a bit higher. To me, being world champion means that you’re “exceptional” and are justified being in the Main Event of multiple consecutive wrestling cards. Your name at the top of a live show, PPV/PLE, or on a television show is what draws people into wrestling. Having the World Title means that at the moment, you’re the absolute best not just right now, but moving forward as well until another guy becomes at least your equal (if not better). I realize there are people like Vince Russo and others who call championships as “play titles” or something to that effect, but who is on TOP of a wrestling card matters. While the midcard has its own moments, you endure a 2-4 hour show because of the LAST MATCH which often features the World Heavyweight Champion.

In my opinion, Sami Zayn will hold the WWE Title for a short period of time. He’s a great hand, always capable of putting on great matches, and is a great character. But, what he’s lacking are those drawing intangibles of feeling “larger than life” that draws people inward for a promotion. His lifelong chase is over, so what else is there to do for Sami Zayn? Honestly, I get that feeling often with Cody Rhodes though I think that Cody has more “larger than life” context to him, thanks to the Rhodes legacy, but not by much versus Sami. I’ve been somewhat lukewarm on Cody since Wrestlemania 40, as his personal chase is over and he’s satisfied his “story” of the Rhodes family wanting to achieve the WWE Title. However, Cody is at least a solid and dependable babyface who has kept stable numbers as champion.

Jey Uso is a complicated story because in my opinion, he was a BIG part of the Bloodline storyline especially during its infancy. Without Jey pulling out great matches out of Roman during 2020, the Bloodline storyline is off to a slow start. Yet, Jey sold being Roman’s cousin and was emotionally questioning why Roman changed his ways. Then, when Sami Zayn joined the group, it was Jey Uso who went through different levels of emotions about Zayn’s addition. In my mind, Jey Uso separated himself from his brother Jimmy Uso as a wrestler because unlike Jimmy, Jey developed a character and uses his charisma to the fullest.

2025 is always a hot debate, especially at Royal Rumble 2025 and then Wrestlemania 41. There, Jey won the Rumble match and then went on to defeat Gunther to become World Champion. Through late 2024, Jey Uso was the #1 merchandise seller and had live crowds pumped with his entrances. That seemed like “main event” momentum, but as you saw on WWE Unreal, there were questions by the WWE Creative Team about his confidence and performance ability in that top spot. Then, you’d watch matches after he became champion and they were struggles to get through, even including several botches that online fans still laugh about to this day. Jey definitely peaked as world champion at WM 41 and just didn’t quite have anything to offer afterward. He’s back in the midcard.

Darby Allin is one of the “Four Pillars” of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), or in other words, one of the 4 wrestlers considered “homegrown” by AEW even though each of them were working for other promotions before AEW. But, being within those pillars means that AEW was each of these wrestler’s big national breaks. In addition to Darby, MJF, Sammy Guevara, and Jack Perry are wrestlers that the WWE or TNA promotions have not used before on a national stage.

Look, I’m not going to bash Darby’s contributions to AEW. In my opinion, he’s a valid draw for the promotion and has provided many exciting moments. That said, many of the “exciting” moments involve very dangerous stunts that could have badly injured him or worse. Thankfully, he’s still operational through 2026 and to me, he’s AEW’s version of Rey Mysterio Jr. Exciting smaller wrestler who brings an extra level of excitement to matches. Of course with Rey Mysterio, he’s safely wrestled at a high level for 30 years now. I don’t believe we’ll be seeing a 30 year career for Darby, but I hope to be pleasantly surprised in the future.

Like Rey Mysterio, I disagree about making Darby a “World Heavyweight Champion”. Darby Allin is billed as 5’8” and 180 pounds. There’s a reason why amateur wrestling, amateur and pro boxing, and mixed martial arts (MMA) have weight classes. Size and strength matter in combat sports. Now, with pro wrestling, rules are different and the use of foreign objects, distractions, holding tights, feet on the ropes, an excited referee counting too fast, or other fluke situations can counter that. And that’s how Darby, along with Rey Mysterio, can become champion.

With Darby, aside from his insane stunts, what is “larger than life” about him? After seeing many dangerous stunts, the allure to see another dangerous stunt creates a feeling of being desensitized with fans. If you’ve been a fan since the late 1990s, you remember that feeling of seeing wrestlers going through tables occasionally back then but now it’s almost in every match during the 2020s especially during the WWE vs. AEW “war”. Darby on the top of the card isn’t a strong draw for live shows, TV shows, or Pay Per Views because he’s very dependent on his stuntwork. That totally contrasts with the World Champion he defeated, MJF, who does more to sell a match with his personality, charisma, and mic work before the match even begins. MJF doesn’t have to shock fans in attendance with dangerous stunts because his character already has the fans’ attention before the match even begins.

But again, I’m not here to bash the decisions of making Darby Allin, Sami Zayn, or Jey Uso as World Champions. I’m a believer that hard work and effort deserves reward. Each of these 3 men have made significant contributions to their respective promotions and said promotions wanted to give them a reward. In the case of Allin and Uso, those rewards were temporary and their World Title reigns ended quickly. I expect the same with Sami Zayn.

Does these “lifetime achievement awards” or “participation trophies” cheapen the respective World Titles?

It’s a great question… What made the WWE boom with growth from late 2020 through early 2024 was pushing a very strong World Champion with Roman Reigns. THIS HEEL Roman Reigns was produced and written by Paul Heyman who groomed Roman into an absolute star and someone worthy to hold championship gold for over 3 straight years. This version of Roman, backed by Heyman and the Bloodline, drew people in thanks to its aura and the wonder of who could actually defeat this group. The draw was the “sense of urgency” to beat not just a man, but a machine and this is literally the same idea behind what made New World Order great (go through the group to get to Hogan) and the Four Horsemen great (go through the group to get to Flair).

Since Wrestlemania 40, we’ve had Cody Rhodes as WWE Champion and he held it for an entire year. I thought that reign was kind of weak, though the wrestler availability question comes into play with Roman and Rock disappearing after WM 40. I thought John Cena did great as WWE Champion and made for a great 2025 year as champion. His match with Cody at SummerSlam 2025 erased their low energy effort at Wrestlemania 41. Since then, Cody has lost the title twice in 10 months to Drew McIntyre and now Sami Zayn. Though I’m happy for Drew and Sami, while always happy for Cody… I’m just not feeling the excitement that was there for a dominant heel group protecting Roman.

Kind of like how I’m NOT feeling the excitement for the BABYFACE version of the Bloodline reforming around a BABYFACE Roman Reigns. It’s not the same because the “sense of urgency” to take down the Bloodline isn’t there. I’d re-add Paul Heyman and turn the Bloodline HEEL immediately if I were in charge of WWE Creative. Show no mercy in whatever epic beatdowns could occur to re-establish them as heels, make the group more violent and blood thirsty than ever.

However, the WWE Title is just part of the WWE… Yeah, we’re still in the Brand Extension World, so we have 2 titles to help dilute what a World Title should be in terms of drawing power.

The World Heavyweight Championship returned to the WWE, as it was made-up during 2023 just as the prior version was made-up during 2002 during that brand extension. We have 2 brands, let’s create a second title… In the case of the 2023’s creation, RAW created it because Roman took a lot of time off back then and often avoided RAW. In just 3 years, the title has changed 10 times. If that isn’t a sign of bad booking and bad championship experimentation, I don’t know what is.

Jey Uso’s world championship reign is with this very title. Now, I don’t want to keep harping on Jey Uso’s 2025 reign, but it was preceded by Damian Priest before him (Gunther would win his first World Title by defeating Priest, then Jey Uso defeated Gunther). Sorry, but Priest DID NOT deserve the World Title. Unlike Jey, we don’t have data, crowd reactions, or merchandise sales to validate pushing Priest to the title. He was just a solid worker and personal developmental project of Triple H, likely making him champion to help justify past NXT and Performance Center decisions. Priest was NOT a good champion and is yet another victim of the Money in the Bank cheap cash-in.

That’s WWE’s other problem… For the past 16-17 years, in addition to giving “lifetime achievement” or “participation trophy” awards, they’ve REPEATEDLY got it wrong on their World Champion selections. They either crown someone who is just good at chasing or being entirely wrong.

Let’s go through them once again…

Jack Swagger

The Miz

Jinder Mahal

Initial reigns of CM Punk before 2011

Initial reign of Daniel Bryan before 2013

Roman Reigns before 2020

Alberto Del Rio

Dolph Ziggler

Finn Balor

Kofi Kingston

Braun Strowman

Big E Langston

In my view, guys like Kevin Owens and Bray Wyatt deserved it for temporarily hitting that “exceptional level” on top while Bobby Lashley’s role with his stable justified him as champion. Some of Seth Rollins’s reigns were a tad weak, especially that 2015 run, but I don’t 100% place it on him. For example, he becomes champion at Wrestlemania 31 and then they censor him from doing the Curb Stomp. Seth is consistently good overall.

These other guys, though, were either in the WWE for a brief period of time and then rushed to the World Title or were just lacking of that Main Event presence. Jack Swagger had no business being champion early in his WWE career and he was hampered by that early push. Alberto Del Rio was over in Vince McMahon’s mind, but interjecting him into 2011’s “Summer of Punk” was such a major mistake. Kofi Kingston and Big E gets into that same realm as Jey or Sami as rewards for efforts and success within the New Day, but neither man flourished after they became champion.

WWE tried so hard with Braun Strowman and he had the look and strength to pull it off… But there’s a reason why he looked less than an alpha versus Brock Lesnar because he couldn’t protect another wrestler inside the ring. With Braun, though, WWE often moved on but they NEVER moved on with Roman Reigns and kept shoving that babyface character down our throats. Guy by the name of “Trae” on X/Twitter made the incredible point that the Rock did “long-term harm to wrestling” by performing well DESPITE terrible written material handed to him by Vince McMahon’s creative team. To that extent, I’d also argue that John Cena also made lemonade out of Vince McMahon’s lemons (not his nards, but his bad writing) that everything was totally exposed when Roman repeatedly stumbled over the scripted lines. “Suffering succotash!”

Jinder Mahal had a massive losing record on RAW but when he moved to Smackdown, he was instantly pushed as a main eventer and won the World Title immediately. Sorry, but he shouldn’t have sniffed the World Title, let alone holding it for many months. Miz is a solid midcard character, but World Champion? Now, I think WWE could push him now as an experienced hand (even though he’s always involved with celebrity matches), but back during 2010 and 2011, I don’t think so. Feel the same way about Finn Balor… A solid midcarder and someone who needs to paint-up his entire body to feel “larger than life”. Dolph Ziggler is a tough one for me, as the in-ring talent has always been there but I think the presentation of his character, both himself with his own intangibles (or lack thereof) and WWE Creative’s use of him could be called into question. Who knows, maybe we missed the BIG World Title reign from Ziggler due to him getting concussed immediately after winning his World Title?

Let me add to this point… The Money in the Bank briefcase cash-in SUCKS and should be banned from ever being cashed in during or after a match. The same reason why we HATED the 24/7 title shares the same feelings on the MITB briefcase. It is total BS that a current match can be interrupted by a cash-in to create a Triple Threat or that a defending champion, who just went through 20-30 minutes of absolute hell to defend their title, has to instantly wrestle another match. This SUCKED as an idea for Wrestlemania 9, so why are we REPEATEDLY doing this STUPID idea for over 33 years afterward? Seriously, Wrestlemania 9 is considered the WORST Wrestlemania not just because of the lack of good matches, but that ending SUCKS so bad with Hogan instantly being able to challenge Yokozuna to a match after he defeated Bret Hart for the WWE Title.

“Those who do not remember history are condemned to repeat it” -George Santayana

IN MY OPINION, WWE has crowned WORSE champions than Jey Uso and Sami Zayn… At least with Jey and Sami, I understand it as “lifetime achievement” awards. Jey and Sami have had long careers, many great matches, and contributed significantly to the WWE’s biggest storyline.

BUT, I’ve also seen Sami Zayn wrestle the cast from Jackass. Though he gave an amazing effort to get that match over and I totally commend him for it, the point is that Sami let himself be defeated by Johnny Knoxville in a wrestling match. Jey Uso couldn’t get a good match out of his brother Jimmy, which is possibly the only weak link in the Wrestlemania 40 event. That match was just AWFUL, as fans were baffled at how 2 brothers couldn’t somehow put on at least a decent match with each other like the Hardys could.

With Darby Allin, he’s an honest standout amongst the AEW roster despite his lack of size. Aside form MJF, Jon Moxley, and several veterans who have joined AEW as free agents, they have a bunch of similar working and performing wrestlers. His style at least stands out and gets noticed… His pond doesn’t have the much larger fish compared to the pond where Jey Uso and Sami Zayn swim. Hence why you didn’t see me write a column bashing Darby Allin’s title victory… Honestly, he kind of deserved it when compared to most of the AEW roster as a fish in a smaller pond versus WWE’s bigger pond with much larger fish.

I totally get why Jey Uso and Sami Zayn have won world titles… They put in the effort, provided many great moments, and got over. Now, are they “exceptional” to be worthy as champions and to NOT just peak when winning the title? It didn’t happen with Jey, as WWE quickly returned the title back to Gunther, and I’m predicting a brief title reign with Sami. I’m happy for him, but I think this is his peak moment and there isn’t anything to achieve further nor do I believe he has that drawing power to magnetically draw in more fans as champion. I seriously hope that Zayn proves me wrong, though.

With Zayn winning the title right now and possibly having a short-term title reign, we now know that Wrestlemania 43 will no longer be about Sami Zayn “achieving his dreams” of becoming a world champion. GOOD, because Wrestlemania needs to be reserved for putting over absolute top drawing stars with one of them being worthy of winning the Royal Rumble. Think about Wrestlemania 42 and what somehow sold over 50,000 tickets DESPITE absurd levels of price gouging by WWE and the city of Las Vegas. CM Punk as World Champion with Roman Reigns winning the Rumble match. THAT is the kind of match that should headline any Wrestlemania or at the very least be in a World Title match on that show.

For some of the wrestlers mentioned today, such as Finn Balor and Darby Allin… Why can’t any wrestling promotion have a successful Lightweight or Cruiserweight division? Everybody has to wrestle as a heavyweight these days… Through 2026, everybody mocks Eric Bischoff for choking on his WCW promotion but his Cruiserweight Division from 1996-1998 was incredible and gave birth to many top tier stars who wouldn’t get a shot otherwise. Create a Lightweight/Cruiserweight division and take it seriously… If horribly run Boxing and MMA promotions can get weight classes over, so can pro wrestling.

So yeah, World Titles should be granted to the absolute best performers in your wrestling promotion who can draw BEYOND the chase to the title.

Every GREAT world champion peaked AFTER they became champ, not when they became champ.

Do you smell what I’m cooking?

Hulk Hogan wins the WWE Title in 1984 and exponentially grows the business. Macho Man wins the title in 1988 and draws houses while Hogan is off filming No Holds Barred, brother, and then continued to draw strongly throughout the 1990s with many more title reigns. Austin wins and did nothing but grow the business. Rock wins and just got better and better as champion with his feuds with Foley and Austin. Look at Triple H’s ridiculous 2000 year! Cena got better with age and his many title reigns.

Then, look at other reigns… Bret Hart wins the WWE title in 1992, but many consider his 1992-1993 reign to be weak. Maybe his 1994 one, too, though I loved that Backlund feud. Bret, though, was a total badass as champion in 1997 and I’d argue he began WWE’s rebound to the top. His dance partner, Shawn Michaels totally hit a peak by winning the WWE Title at Wrestlemania 12 and was a weak babyface champion. However, Shawn returned with a vengeance in 1997 as a heel and also contributed to WWE’s 1997 rebound. The Undertaker was rushed to the title in 1991 and I didn’t think much of his 1997 run… But damn, many revolutions of his character, he had like 25 more years and memories still in him! Those 3 are examples of situations where the chase could have been the peak but then boom, the changed their characters and created additional drawing power.

Ultimate Warrior definitely peaked at Wrestlemania 6. Total chaser, but not a long-term solution.

Sgt. Slaughter was a “lifetime achievement” award winning champion and an Iraqi sympathizing character, too, and that’s why WWE’s business SUCKED during 1991.

Diesel (Kevin Nash) is an example of rushing someone to the title early before their peak.

Thankfully, Triple H was punished for the “Curtain Call” incident of 1996 or else maybe he would have been rushed to the spotlight too early. Turns out, the extra 2-3 years of midcard seasoning was 100% what his career needed.

Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar were probably rushed too early to the World Title, but both men were absolute freaks. However, I’d argue that early success may have ruined both men’s long-term prospects and both were gone from the WWE by 2006.

Chris Jericho, through early 2001, felt like a “peaking from winning title”, but the man creatively reinvents himself often and keeps you wanting more. There’s a reason he was the first AEW champion and he set that promotion onward to a successful path since 2019.

Chris Benoit was a “lifetime achievement” award as a crowned champion, while Eddie Guerrero was a “peak when winning title” moment. They celebrated together at Wrestlemania 20 but after SummerSlam 2004, neither man was champ and they were midcarders until both men ultimately passed soon thereafter.

Randy Orton is clearly as a rush-to-the-title early guy and I don’t believe he’s ever recovered from that. WWE could just never get his character right or ready to be champion, despite trying many many times.

CM Punk and Daniel Bryan were victims of cash-ins of the MITB briefcase, but later had more justified World Title wins with many peak years afterward.

I always thought Christian’s WWE World Titles were in “lifetime achievement” mode. Good for him and for the way he put his body on the line for WWE, well deserved. This guy is similar to Jey Uso and Sami Zayn. In contrast, Edge had that extra gear and could pivot his characters as needed.

John Cena and Batista, in my opinion, were built perfectly and went on to stellar careers to keep growing in their top spots. Coincidentally, both were crowned champions at Wrestlemania 21 and helped stop the freefall of business decline WWE saw from 2000-2004. Their chases were perfect but both men had more to offer as champions thanks to their drawing abilities and great match capabilities in big spots.

Hopefully, all of this makes sense…

And I think getting a title shot, having a great spot on a big PLE/PPV card, or having a LONG career with any wrestling promotion is a reward in itself. You don’t need a World Title to be “great”, as WWE’s Hall of Fame has many wrestlers who never won that Championship.

Arn Anderson always brags about how much money he made despite mostly being a midcarder for his entire career. Yet, many fans consider Arn to be an all-time great despite only holding tag team and midcard titles. Arn, however, got to occasionally taste that main event spotlight and work with some of the all-time greats. On one edition of WCW Monday Nitro, I remember Arn Anderson pinning Hulk Hogan!

Same idea in sports… Many place an emphasis on winning the championship, yet what is overlooked is actually making the championship game. It’s HARD WORK just to have a winning season, let along making playoffs and then beating the very best to win a title. Often, too, it’s a team sport where injuries can create impact. Charles Barkley is arguably a top 25 NBA player of all time and he only made it to the NBA Finals one time. Yet, his peers know how good he was and now, he gets to articulate how his basketball knowledge with ease on the Inside the NBA broadcasts. Dan Marino was a total stud as a Quarterback but he only made the Super Bowl just once.

Your ENTIRE CAREER defines you, not just a brief moment of being on top.

That’s what I’m trying to tell you, folks… If Jey Uso or Sami Zayn retired WITHOUT winning a World Title, they’d be forever remembered for their contributions. They have many great 4 to 5 star matches that often replayed by fans in addition to storyline moments that you can enjoy a quick “bump” on YouTube as needed. Both men have had AMAZING careers.

BUT, we have to save those World Titles for THE exceptional wrestlers who can draw television viewers, PLE streaming subscriptions, PPV buys, or butts physically in an arena or stadium simply by being on top of the card. The World Title is a representation of being the very best in a profession both in the short-term and for the long-term.

In business, doing a major change in the short-term and then correcting it shortly thereafter is usually seen as a mistake. For example, if your company promotes someone to be a executive and then you terminate them or quickly change their duties.

Giving someone the World Title at Wrestlemania 41 and then having them in a random 6-man match at Wrestlemania 42 is seen, easily, as “correcting a mistake”. That was Jey Uso, who is now rehashing his Bloodline character. Kofi Kingston winning the WWE Title at Wrestlemania and then getting murdered on the first FOX Smackdown during 2019 was “correcting a mistake”.

It just doesn’t look strong for a promotion to randomly hand out World Title reigns and then have a snap judgment afterward. That includes these “lifetime achievement” award winners, wrestlers whose peak is winning the actual title, or wrestlers who just weren’t worthy of the company’s top recognition.

Right now, it’s up to Sami Zayn to prove everyone wrong and change the narrative if he grows into an even more powerful wrestler as champion versus peaking when becoming champion. I will gladly admit to being wrong if he creates exceptional business for the WWE as champion.

History is on my side, brother… I’ve seen this before.

At this moment, though, I’m happy personally for Sami Zayn… Good for him on placing a “cherry on the top” of a great WWE career.

Mr. Tito Column Archive @ NoDQ