5 Pro Wrestlers Who Left Major Promotions A Reigning Champion

As promotions are presently unloading chunks of their rosters in the wake of troubling allegations and stories, one recent termination appears to be unrelated, but is nonetheless headline-grabbing. Tessa Blanchard, while reigning as IMPACT Wrestling World Champion, was let go after a period of inactivity, and an apparent inability to come to terms on a new deal. As a result, Blanchard was stripped of the championship, making for even more difficult times for the long-surviving IMPACT.

Though it might seem weird to see a top champion dethroned via exodus, it's actually happened numerous times throughout the years. Whether it's a contract dispute or some other acrimonious situation with the office, top belts have been forfeited as the wrestlers in question have headed out the door. When that happens, the promotion generally ends up with egg on its face, unless there's a damn good reason for the events transpiring.

In light of the recent development involving Blanchard, let's look back at other examples of a major titleholder leaving a company, and their championship status, behind.

As promotions are presently unloading chunks of their rosters in the wake of troubling allegations and stories, one recent termination appears to be unrelated, but is nonetheless headline-grabbing. Tessa Blanchard, while reigning as IMPACT Wrestling World Champion, was let go after a period of inactivity, and an apparent inability to come to terms on a new deal. As a result, Blanchard was stripped of the championship, making for even more difficult times for the long-surviving IMPACT.

Though it might seem weird to see a top champion dethroned via exodus, it's actually happened numerous times throughout the years. Whether it's a contract dispute or some other acrimonious situation with the office, top belts have been forfeited as the wrestlers in question have headed out the door. When that happens, the promotion generally ends up with egg on its face, unless there's a damn good reason for the events transpiring.

In light of the recent development involving Blanchard, let's look back at other examples of a major titleholder leaving a company, and their championship status, behind.

5. Stan Hansen (AWA, 1986)

Hansen was reportedly supposed to drop the title to Nick Bockwinkel, but refused, on the grounds that Giant Baba (the head of All Japan, where Hansen also wrestled) told him not to do the honours, since he was booking him as a top guy, and "kayfabe" had to reflect that.

So Hansen left with the physical belt, while the championship status was defaulted to Bockwinkel. Hansen went on to "defend" the belt in Japan, and when AWA demanded it back, the irascible ex-champ ran over the strap with his truck and mailed it back, still caked in mud.

4. Jerry Lawler (AWA, 1989)

Can you tell that the AWA was having a rough go of it in the late-eighties? As part of a union between Memphis' Continental territory (where Lawler was a staple) and the AWA, "The King" won the AWA World title in May of 1988, and reigned through the year's end.

When the joint SuperClash III pay-per-view in December 1988 proved to be a debacle for numerous reasons, Continental split from the AWA, and subsequently, the departed Lawler was stripped of the title. Soon after, Larry Zbyszko won the vacant strap in a battle royal.

3. Ric Flair (WCW, 1991)

Maybe you've heard (Herd?) of this one. After numerous run-ins and disagreements over contracts and the like with imperious WCW VP Jim Herd, Flair was fired from the company two weeks before the 1991 Great American Bash - while still reigning as champion.

This caused a public relations nightmare for WCW, as Flair (in possession of the belt) shipped the strap to Vince McMahon up north. He later debuted for the WWF with the gold, proclaiming himself to be the "Real World's Champion". Herd resigned from WCW weeks into 1992.

2. Chris Benoit (WCW, 2000)

Well, at least this one didn't end with the physical belt being tarnished. With WCW in a state of chaos and freefall the weekend of the Souled Out 2000 PPV, Kevin Sullivan is re-installed as booker, causing Benoit and others demand a group release from the company.

Benoit was put over Sid Vicious to become WCW champion at the pay-per-view, as an attempt at building a bridge, but he again affirmed his desire to be released. He handed the title back to the company, and a week later, Benoit and the Radicalz got their collective wish.

1. Chyna (WWF, 2001)

Less than two months after winning the Women's championship at WrestleMania X7, Chyna, who had become a genuine superstar as the company's most indomitable female, was suddenly persona non grata in the Federation, becoming an absentee champion by default.

Reportedly, Chyna sought $1 million base salary in her next contract, whereas the company was only willing to offer $400,000, with the chance to earn more based on royalties. Talks broke down, and she officially left in November, with the belt vacated around that same time.