5 WWE Superstars who had to relinquish their championship due to injury
Being a WWE Superstar has got to be one of the most physically demanding jobs in the world. From performing all around the world for over 250+ days a year to the hectic travel that comes with it, it is only natural for them to succumb to some form of injury given the high athletic nature of the business.
Superstars like Nia Jax, Akam and Fandango have had to step away from the ring due to injuries and it is being reported that former WWE Champion Sheamus might just be retiring from wrestling altogether due to his neck issues. Injuries are unfortunately part and parcel of wrestling today and it is very hard to find a wrestler who hasn't suffered one during the course of his/her career.
In addition to putting an end to an ongoing storyline/feud, injuries can halt a superstar's momentum whilst he/she is red hot and it is even more devastating when the said superstar is holding a championship. There have numerous instances of superstars having to relinquish their championship due to injury. Here are the top five that stick out the most in the recent times.
#5 Daniel Bryan
The American Dragon was at the height of his popularity during the build-up to WrestleMania 30 where he defeated Triple H in the night's first match and would then go on to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the main event, which also had Batista and Randy Orton.
After successfully defending his championship against Kane at Extreme Rules, Bryan would suffer a neck injury which meant that he had to relinquish the WWE World Heavyweight Championship mere months after winning it.
Another instance of Bryan having to relinquish a championship would come the very next year where he had to relinquish the Intercontinental Championship which he won at WrestleMania 31 due to series of concussions, which then led to him stepping away from the ring for more than 2 years.
Bryan's injury came at a time when he was the height of his popularity and the top superstar in the company. But, given the nature of his injuries and how his career has panned out, one wouldn't be seeing Bryan inside the squared circle had he kept working through those injuries.