5 Pro Wrestlers Who Left Major Promotions A Reigning Champion
Sometimes the torch-passing just doesn't happen...
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.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.
