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Rating The Champ

WWE World Titles – 2011

Welcome to my blog. This is the start of a new series, where I’ll be looking back at the history of WWE World Titles (not counting ECW) and ranking all the World Title reigns since the “Modern Era”. The “Modern Era” goes all the way back to the birth of Hulkamania in 1984, and that’s where we’ll end. Today we look back at the year 2011, and we’ll continue to go back from here.

In front of my star ratings for the matches, you’ll either see “HR”, “R” or “RTA”. “HR” means the match is highly recommended ; “R” means the match is recommended ; “RTA” means recommendation to avoid. In case nothing appears, the match is watchable but nothing spectacular.

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Miz (November 22, 2010 – May 1, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 26
  • Record: 12-13 (1 draw)

My match ratings:

  • The Miz def. Randy Orton(c) in a MITB cash-in – RAW Nov. 22 2010 (N/R)
  • The Miz(c) def. Jerry Lawler in a TLC Match – RAW Nov. 29 2010 (***)
  • The Miz(c) def. Randy Orton in a Tables Match – TLC 2010 (***)
  • The Miz(c) def. Randy Orton – Royal Rumble 2011 (**3/4)
  • The Miz(c) def. Jerry Lawler – Elimination Chamber 2011 (***1/2) *R*
  • The Miz(c) def. John Cena – WrestleMania XXVII (*1/4) *RTA*
  • John Cena def. The Miz(c) and John Morrison in a Steel Cage Match – Extreme Rules 2011 (****) *HR*

When The Miz won the WWE Championship in November 2010, he absolutely deserved it. He went from literally being called the “Marty Jannetty” of his tag team with John Morrison on TV to having a long and pretty good US Title reign, where he even got to work with the legendary Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart. After dropping the US belt to Daniel Bryan, Miz cashed in his Money in the Bank on the RAW post-Survivor Series 2010 against Randy Orton, and it seemed like we had a new top heel for years to come. That is until the following week arrived, where he was only able to beat a COMMENTATOR with the help of Michael Cole in a TLC Match. He’d beat Lalwer in one of the best matches of his reign at Elimination Chamber 2011, but otherwise his reign saw other people literally win Miz’s matches for him. Alex Riley did it at TLC 2010, CM Punk at Royal Rumble 2011 and The Rock at WrestleMania XXVII. Miz went on to lose the gold to Cena immediately afterwards, in a great Steel Cage Match at Extreme Rules that also involved John Morrison. Miz’s promos were always good and his work was solid, but he was booked as a joke champion.

Rating: 3/10

John Cena (May 1, 2011 – July 17, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 15
  • Record: 10-5

My match ratings:

  • John Cena def. The Miz(c) and John Morrison in a Steel Cage Match – Extreme Rules 2011 (****) *HR*
  • John Cena(c) def. The Miz in an I Quit Match – Over the Limit 2011 (***)
  • John Cena(c) def. R-Truth – Capitol Punishment 2011 (***)
  • CM Punk def. John Cena(c) – Money in the Bank 2011 (*****) *HR*

Once the angle with The Rock had happened at WrestleMania XXVII and the match was already on for the next year’s event, Cena immediately won the title at the following PPV in the triple threat cage match. A repetitive, average and super predictable “I Quit” match with Miz followed before retaining over R-Truth in a really weird storyline. Those first two months of this reign were strange, but then the last one was incredible. Once the feud with CM Punk started, the WWE Championship felt like a big deal once again. The match at Money in the Bank was great in-ring and told a perfect story, and is by far the most memorable thing in all of this reign and what elevates my rating.

Rating: 6/10

CM Punk (July 17, 2011 – August 14, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 4
  • Record: 3-1

My match ratings:

  • CM Punk def. John Cena(c) – Money in the Bank 2011 (*****) *HR*
  • CM Punk(c) def. John Cena(c) – SummerSlam 2011 (***3/4) *R*
  • Alberto Del Rio def. CM Punk(c) in a MITB cash-in – SummerSlam 2011 (N/R)

Everyone remember the way this reign started, but what a mess it was afterwards. After Punk won the title and “left” with the WWE Championship, the company just created a tournament for the title and moved on. So what was the big drama about Punk winning and taking the title with him about then?? Once John Cena won back the “other” WWE Title, Punk came back eight days after leaving. A unification match was booked for SummerSlam, which was won by Punk despite Cena’s feet being on the ropes. Only to then lose the gold to Alberto Del Rio, who cashed in Money in the Bank after an attack by Kevin Nash, of all people. My reaction to this is a good ol’ “what the fuck”.

Rating: 5/10

Rey Mysterio (July 25, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 2
  • Record: 1-1

My match ratings:

  • Rey Mysterio def. The Miz – RAW July 25 2011 (***)
  • John Cena def. Rey Mysterio(c) – RAW July 25 2011 (***1/2) *R*

Rey Mysterio was the man that won the WWE Championship after CM Punk left it vacated (or so we thought). The night following Money in the Bank, Rey defeated Dolph Ziggler and R-Truth while The Miz bested Alex Riley and Kofi Kingston to make it to the next week’s final match. Rey won the match and the title, only to then lose it to Cena that very same night because LOL. Poor Rey. At least he can say he was the WWE Champion, I guess.

Rating: -/10

John Cena (July 25, 2011 – August 14, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 3
  • Record: 2-1

My match ratings:

  • John Cena def. Rey Mysterio(c) – RAW July 25 2011 (***1/2) *R*
  • CM Punk(c) def. John Cena(c) – SummerSlam 2011 (***3/4) *R*

Cena won Rey’s title to be the “other” champion and to set up the unification match with CM Punk at SummerSlam. That’s it. At least both of his matches in this reign are recommended, so there’s that.

Rating: 3/10

Alberto Del Rio (August 14, 2011 – September 18, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 6
  • Record: 4-2

My match ratings:

  • Alberto Del Rio def. CM Punk(c) in a MITB cash-in – SummerSlam 2011 (N/R)
  • Alberto Del Rio(c) def. Rey Mysterio – RAW Aug. 15 2011 (***1/2) *R*
  • John Cena def. Alberto Del Rio(c) – Night f Champions 2011 (***1/2) *R*

I almost feel bad for Del Rio. He was such a solid worker and always had good matches, but this was such a short and pointless reign and it was just not his time. “Mexico’s greatest export” won the title after SummerSlam’s main-event thanks to Kevin Nash, retained in a fantastic RAW match against Rey Mysterio and lost it to John Cena at Night of Champions. The matches were pretty good, but this was a waste of the Money in the Bank briefcase.

Rating: 3/10

John Cena (September 18, 2011 – October 2, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 4
  • Record: 3-1

My match ratings:

  • John Cena def. Alberto Del Rio(c) – Night of Champions 2011 (***1/2) *R*
  • Alberto Del Rio def. John Cena(c) and CM Punk in a HIAC Match – Hell in a Cell 2011 (***)

Another month, another pointless reign for John Cena. He won it from Del Rio at Night of Champions, only to lose it back to him fourteen days later in a Hell in a Cell Match that also featured CM Punk. That’s literally all there is to say…

Rating: 2/10

Alberto Del Rio (October 2, 2011 – November 20, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 13
  • Record: 8-5

My match ratings:

  • Alberto Del Rio def. John Cena(c) and CM Punk in a HIAC Match – Hell in a Cell 2011 (***)
  • Alberto Del Rio(c) def. John Cena in a Last Man Standing Match – Vengeance 2011 (****) *HR*
  • CM Punk def. Alberto Del Rio(c) – Survivor Series 2011 (***1/2) *R*

Just fourteen days after losing his first WWE Championship, Del Rio won his second already. Once again, it wasn’t his time but Del Rio had better matches this time. The Last Man Standing Match at Vengeance against Cena with the broken ring was really fun, and the way he lost the belt to Punk at Survivor Series was memorable. Again, nothing special, but a solid reign.

Rating: 4/10

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Edge (December 19, 2010 – February 18, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 12
  • Record: 11-1

My match ratings:

  • Edge def. Kane(c), Rey Mysterio and Alberto Del Rio in a TLC Match – TLC 2010 (****1/4) *HR*
  • Edge(c) def. Kane in a Last Man Standing Match – SmackDown Jan. 7 2011 (***1/2) *R*
  • Edge(c) def. Dolph Ziggler – Royal Rumble 2011 (***3/4) *R*

Edge’s tenth World Championship couldn’t have had a better start, winning Kane’s belt in a fantastic four way TLC Match. A quality Last Man Standing rematch against Kane to end their feud was also really good, and his bout against Dolph Ziggler at the Rumble was even better in my opinion. The ending was really weird, though, as Vickie Guerrero just gave it to Ziggler because Edge used the banned Spear. Teasing it to get heat can create a fun storyline, but actually changing the title that way is super lame. That drags this good reign down a bit.

Rating: 5/10

Dolph Ziggler (February 18, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 1
  • Record: 0-1

My match ratings:

  • Edge def. Dolph Ziggler(c) – SmackDown Feb. 18 2011 (**1/2)

Like I said, Ziggler was given the World Title due to Edge using the Spear and Vickie even fired Edge. But then GM Teddy Long came back and brought back Edge for a rematch right there, which Edge won after a basic TV match between the two. Ten minutes after winning the title, Ziggler lost it. Because LOOOOOOOOOOOL it’s such good shit.

Rating: -/10

Edge (February 18, 2011 – April 15, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 9
  • Record: 9-0

My match ratings:

  • Edge def. Dolph Ziggler(c) – SmackDown Feb. 18 2011 (**1/2)
  • Edge(c) def. Rey Mysterio, Kane, Big Show, Wade Barrett and Drew McIntyre in an Elimination Chamber Match – Elimination Chamber 2011 (****1/4) *HR*
  • Edge(c) def. Alberto Del Rio – WrestleMania XXVII (***1/2) *R*

After that whole weird thing with Ziggler, Edge was once again the champ for what would be the last time. Well, at least as of this writing! A fantastic Chamber match would follow a few days later, with an amazing final mini-match between Edge and Rey Rey. Edge’s final title match against Del Rio at WrestleMania was pretty good too, and Edge would soon retire as World Champion. This reign is special for that reason, but it was solid too while it lasted. Edge was just a fun pro wrestler.

Rating: 5/10

Christian (May 1, 2011 – May 6, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 2
  • Record: 1-1

My match ratings:

  • Christian def. Alberto Del Rio in a Ladder Match – Extreme Rules 2011 (****1/2) *HR*
  • Randy Orton def. Christian(c) – SmackDown May 6 2011 (****) *HR*

After Edge’s retirement, Christian won the World Title in a Ladder Match against Del Rio at Extreme Rules thanks to an Edge distraction. Christian’s title win was one of the most memorable in recent memory, only to lose it less than a week later to RandyOrton on SmacKDown. I know it was short, but damn it, with two highly recommended matches in five days (actually two, as SmackDown was taped on Tuesdays) this has to be the best short title reign ever!

Rating: 3/10

Randy Orton (May 6, 2011 – July 17, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 13
  • Record: 9-3 (1 draw)

My match ratings:

  • Randy Orton def. Christian(c) – SmackDown May 6 2011 (****) *HR*
  • Randy Orton(c) def. Christian – Over the Limit 2011 (****1/2) *HR*
  • Randy Orton(c) def. Christian – Capitol Punishment 2011 (***3/4) *R*
  • Christian def. Randy Orton(c) – Money in the Bank 2011 (***3/4) *R*

This was quite easily the best reign of Randy Orton’s career, with that amazing feud with Christian that gave us so many classic encounters. It was by far Orton’s best proper storyline in his entire career (along with the Foley feud) and it was the time I was into Orton the most. Everything about this reign was fantastic, watch all the matches here.

Rating: 8/10

Christian (July 17, 2011 – August 14, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 6
  • Record: 4-2

My match ratings:

  • Christian def. Randy Orton(c) – Money in the Bank 2011 (***3/4) *R*
  • Randy Orton def. Christian(c) in a No Holds Barred Match – SummerSlam 2011 (****1/2) *HR*

Christian won the gold from Randy Orton by DQ at Money in the Bank and carried it into SummerSlam, where Christian and Orton would close the chapter on their great rivalry. Christian would go on to lose that match, but the two had another spectacular bout that night. For the month Christian was champion, he cut some pretty good heel promos and put on some fun matches on TV with the likes of Sheamus and John Morrison. This reign was actually enjoyable, but short.

Rating: 5/10

Randy Orton (August 14, 2011 – September 18, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 8
  • Record: 6-2

My match ratings:

  • Randy Orton def. Christian(c) in a No Holds Barred Match – SummerSlam 2011 (****1/2) *HR*
  • Mark Henry def. Randy Orton(c) – Night of Champions 2011 (***1/4)

After ending the feud with Christian, Orton would go on to lose the gold to his next challenger, Mark Henry, at the next PPV. The match with Henry exceeded expectations and the match with Christian was a classic, but this was way too short.

Rating: 5/10

Mark Henry (September 18, 2011 – December 18, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 22
  • Record: 12-7 (3 draws)

My match ratings:

  • Mark Henry def. Randy Orton(c) – Night of Champions 2011 (***1/4)
  • Mark Henry(c) def. Randy Orton in a HIAC Match – Hell in a Cell 2011 (**3/4)
  • Mark Henry(c) draw. Big Show – Vengeance 2011 (***1/2) *R*
  • Big Show def. Mark Henry(c) by DQ – Survivor Series 2011 (3/4*) *RTA*
  • Big Show def. Mark Henry(c) in a Chairs Match – TLC 2011 (1/2*) *RTA*

I honestly don’t know what to do with this one. WWE had such a great heel champion with Mark Henry in late 2011 to be dethroned at a stage like a WrestleMania and create a new star, but instead they had him lose to The Big Show in a Chairs Match, without question the worst gimmick match there has ever been. Up until the Vengeance match against Big Show, Henry’s reign was solid. However, after that, they just feuded and feuded forever and Henry lost all his heat after endless DQ/no contest finishes where the unstoppable monster was booked to look like a coward getting himself DQ’d. Makes zero sense. By December, Henry was losing matches to Zack Ryder in order to set up his own US Title Match on PPV. The monster World Champion was being used as a bridge for people to get shots at the midcard title. The first half was good, the second half was horrible.

Rating: 4/10

Big Show (December 18, 2011)

  • Televised matches: 2
  • Record: 1-1

My match ratings:

  • Big Show def. Mark Henry(c) in a Chairs Match – TLC 2011 (1/2*) *RTA*
  • Daniel Bryan def. Big Show(c) in a MITB cash-in – TLC 2011 (N/R)

Big Show defeated Mark Henry to win the title at TLC in that rubbish Chairs Match, and then Daniel Bryan cashed in Money in the Bank and won. That’s literally it. Because apparently Sheamus beating the goofy heel champion in eighteen seconds at WrestleMania is a much better idea than having him be the one to finally stop the unstoppable “Hall of Pain” run of Mark Henry, isn’t it? It’s not.

Rating: -/10

ALL-TIME CHAMPIONS RANKING

  1. CM Punk (WWE Championship, 20/11/2011 – 27/01/2013) 9
  2. Daniel Bryan (WWE Championship, 13/11/2018 – 07/04/2019) 9
  3. AJ Styles (WWE Championship, 11/09/2016 – 29/01/2017) 9
  4. Randy Orton (World Heavyweight Championship, 06/05/2011 – 17/07/2011) 8
  5. Brock Lesnar (WWE Championship, 17/08/2014 – 29/03/2015) 7
  6. John Cena (WWE Championship, 07/04/2013 – 18/08/2013) 7
  7. AJ Styles (WWE Championship, 07/11/2017 – 13/11/2018) 7
  8. John Cena (WWE Championship, 01/05/2011 – 17/07/2011) 6
  9. Randy Orton (WWE Championship, 18/08/2013 – 15/09/2013) 6
  10. Kevin Owens (WWE Universal Championship, 29/08/2016- 05/03/2017) 6
  11. Alberto Del Rio (World Heavyweight Championship, 16/06/2013 – 27/10/2013) 6
  12. Seth Rollins (WWE Championship, 29/03/2015 – 04/11/2015) 6
  13. Roman Reigns (WWE Championship, 03/04/2016 – 19/06/2016) 6
  14. Edge (World Heavyweight Championship, 19/12/2010 – 18/02/2011) 5
  15. The Rock (WWE Championship, 27/01/2013 – 07/04/2013) 5
  16. CM Punk (WWE Championship, 17/07/2011 – 14/08/2011) 5
  17. Edge (World Heavyweight Championship, 18/02/2011 – 15/04/2011) 5
  18. Brock Lesnar (Universal Championship, 02/11/2018 – 07/04/2019) 5
  19. Randy Orton (WWE Championship, 27/10/2013 – 06/04/2014) 5
  20. Daniel Bryan (WWE Championship, 06/04/2014 – 09/06/2014) 5
  21. Christian (World Heavyweight Championship, 17/07/2011 – 14/08/2011) 5
  22. Randy Orton (World Heavyweight Championship, 14/08/2011 – 18/09/2011) 5
  23. Seth Rollins (Universal Championship, 11/08/2019 – 31/10/2019) 5
  24. John Cena (WWE Championship, 29/01/2017 – 12/02/2017) 5
  25. Sheamus (World Heavyweight Championship, 01/04/2012 – 28/10/2012) 4
  26. Mark Henry (World Heavyweight Championship, 18/09/2011 – 18/12/2011) 4
  27. John Cena (WWE Championship, 29/06/2014 – 17/08/2014) 4
  28. Dean Ambrose (WWE Championship, 19/06/2016 – 11/09/2016) 4
  29. Alberto Del Rio (WWE Championship, 02/10/2011 – 20/11/2011) 4
  30. Kofi Kingston (WWE Championship, 07/04/2019 – 04/10/2019) 4
  31. Alberto Del Rio (World Heavyweight Championship, 11/01/2013 – 08/04/2013) 4
  32. Seth Rollins (Universal Championship, 07/04/2019 – 14/07/2019) 4
  33. Brock Lesnar (Universal Championship, 14/07/2019 – 11/08/2019) 3
  34. Brock Lesnar (Universal Championship, 02/04/2017 – 19/08/2018) 3
  35. Triple H (WWE Championship, 24/01/2016 – 03/04/2016) 3
  36. Christian (World Heavyweight Championship, 01/05/2011 – 06/05/2011) 3
  37. Alberto Del Rio (WWE Championship, 14/08/2011 – 18/09/2011) 3
  38. John Cena (World Heavyweight Championship, 27/10/2013 – 15/12/2013) 3
  39. Big Show (World Heavyweight Championship, 28/10/2012 – 11/01/2013) 3
  40. John Cena (WWE Championship, 25/07/2011 – 14/08/2011) 3
  41. The Miz (WWE Championship, 22/11/2010 – 01/05/2011) 3
  42. Roman Reigns (Universal Championship, 19/08/2018 – 22/10/2018) 3
  43. Jinder Mahal (WWE Championship, 21/05/2017 – 07/11/2017) 3
  44. Bray Wyatt (WWE Championship, 12/02/2017 – 02/04/2017) 3
  45. John Cena (WWE Championship, 18/09/2011 – 02/10/2011) 2
  46. Roman Reigns (WWE Championship, 14/12/2015 – 24/01/2016) 2
  47. Goldberg (Universal Championship, 05/03/2017 – 02/04/2017) 2
  48. Dolph Ziggler (World Heavyweight Championship, 08/04/2013 – 16/06/2013) 2
  49. Daniel Bryan (World Heavyweight Championship, 18/12/2011 – 01/04/2012) 2
  50. Sheamus (WWE Championship, 22/11/2015 – 14/12/2015) 2
  51. Randy Orton (WWE Championship, 02/04/2017 – 21/05/2017) 1
  52. Daniel Bryan (WWE Championship, 18/08/2013) –
  53. Seth Rollins (WWE Championship, 19/06/2016) –
  54. Rey Mysterio (WWE Championship, 25/07/2011) –
  55. Roman Reigns (WWE Championship, 22/11/2015) –
  56. Randy Orton (World Heavyweight Championship, 15/12/2013) –
  57. Finn Bálor (WWE Universal Championship, 21/08/2016 – 22/08/2016) –
  58. Daniel Bryan (WWE Championship, 15/09/2013 – 16/09/2013) –
  59. Dolph Ziggler (World Heavyweight Championship, 18/02/2011) –
  60. Big Show (World Heavyweight Championship, 18/12/2011) –