5 Planned WWE Title Changes That Never Happened

5. Eddie Guerrero defeating Batista in 2005

By all accounts, Eddie Guerrero was expected to become a two-time world champion. Batista revealed in his book that he was set to lose his World Championship to Eddie in a Triple Threat Match with Randy Orton on SmackDown in 2005, but tragedy struck when Eddie was passed away before the event could take place.

This wasn't the only time Batista and Randy would be involved

4. Batista defeating Randy Orton 2014

Likely one of the most guaranteed Championship victories in WWE history was set for WrestleMania 30. Randy Orton had aligned with Triple H to become the Undisputed WWE Champion and Batista was making a surprise comeback to get a big push, including a run with the WWE world title. The only problem is, Daniel Bryan happened. The YES! movement was so strong that fans revolted when Batista won that year's Royal Rumble. Bryan's popularity became so overwhelming that WWE had no choice but to put the beloved star in the triple threat at 'Mania where he would have one of the most feel-good Championship victories in WWE history.

3. Lex Luger defeating Yokozuna 1994

No one seemed more destined to become a WWE Champion than Lex Luger. After jumping from WCW and dropping his Narcissist gimmick, Luger reemerged as an All-American who rode around on a Lex Express tour bus while wearing American Flag zubaz and supporting the good ol' USA. His sole mission was to take the WWE Championship back from "evil foreigner" Yokozuna.

WWE had planned for Luger to win the Championship at either WrestleMania 10 or SummerSlam 94, but eventually backed out. Luger claimed in an interview that Vince changed his mind after several of his peers threatened to walk out.

This could have led to the backtracking, but truth be told, the gimmick simply wasn't connecting with the fans as much as WWE had hoped.

2. Ted Dibiase defeating Randy Savage to win the WWE championship in 1988

Hulk Hogan left the WWE for a bit in 1988 to film No Holds Barred and many have stated that Ted Dibiase was set to become the WWE Champion during his time away. Apparently, Macho Man would have still become the top company's top babyface during Hogan's absence. WWE backed out of the plans, being afraid of how a heel champion would affect house show attendances.

Dibiase would go down as one of the greats to never win a WWE Championship. Yes, I know Andre handed him the belt, but he was immediately stripped, so I can't count it. Macho Man would hold the belt for an entire year, making a heel turn of his own in the process that would lead back to Hulk Hogan.

Speaking of all roads leading to Hulk Hogan ....

1. Bret Hart defeating Hulk Hogan 1993

Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer has reported that there were posters advertising a match between Hart and Hogan for SummerSlam 1993.According to Bret, the plan was for Hogan to drop the belt to Bret at SummerSlam but refused feeling that Bret was too small. The match would have been a great follow up to Hogan's ridiculous WWE Championship victory at WrestleMania 9 - in a match he wasn't even in!

Hart lost the WWE Championship to Yokozuna at WrestleMania 9 and then Hulkster walked out to confront Yokozuna. This led to Hogan immediately getting a title shot and slam/leg drop later, Hogan had the belt and Bret Hart looked like a chump for encouraging Hogan to go get the title he couldn't win.

Hogan would drop the title back to Yokozuna at the King of the Ring and Bret Hart would win it back from Yokozuna at WrestleMania 10.