5 Powerhouse Wrestlers Who Couldn't Win The Big One (& 5 Who Were Unstoppable Champions)

In theory, powerhouse wrestlers are the most dominant wrestlers out there, the ones who impose their superiority based on brute strength and massive power, destroying their opponents without mercy. Powerhouse wrestlers are big and strong, and that's why most of them are heavily booked, especially in WWE.

In that sense, it is not surprising that several powerhouse wrestlers become World Champions and have long and dominant reigns. However, over the years there have been some who could not win a World Title in a top promotion. So, without further ado, let's take a look at five powerhouse wrestlers who couldn't win the big one, and five who were unstoppable champions.

10 Couldn't Win The Big One: Rikishi

Rikishi was 6'0" and 400 pounds, he was a powerhouse wrestler and brawler. He had some good moments in WWE, like when he was involved in the hottest storyline in wrestling at one point (who ran over Steve Austin?). Vince McMahon tried to push Rikishi, but the latter never had convincing performances to earn him a World Title run. His greatest achievement in WWE was winning the Intercontinental Championship in 2000.

9 Unstoppable Champion: Diesel

Diesel WWF Champion In Your House 1995 Cropped

Diesel, now known as Kevin Nash, had a 358-day WWE World Heavyweight Title reign between 1994 and 1995. He was on top of WWE for almost a year, being an unstoppable champion, leveraging his power to defeat everyone in his path. It certainly wasn't the best time for WWE, and some fans say Diesel was one of the reasons. Still, he was an unstoppable champion and did a good job overall, despite some lackluster matches.

8 Couldn't Win The Big One: Ahmed Johnson

Ahmed Johnson was pretty much the definition of a powerhouse wrestler. He was a very muscular guy, weighing over 300 pounds, and he was willing to destroy anybody who stepped on his way.

Johnson had power, intensity, explosiveness and brutality, like an authentic powerhouse, but, unfortunately, he was sloppy in the ring, he was actually a dangerous worker. Also, he sucked on the mic, and that’s why he couldn’t win the big one. This is another example that wrestling is much more than muscles, even in the 1990s.

7 Unstoppable Champion: Vader

Vader certainly didn't win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, but he did win the big one in WCW. In fact, Big Van Vader was a dominant champion, a monster heel who held the title for over nine months. He was unstoppable, seemed untouchable, and at the time was perhaps the best champion in the history of the company. Vader did a great job as champion, as his matches were very good and his presence on the main event scene elevated the promotion.

6 Couldn't Win The Big One: Bam Bam Bigelow

Bam Bam Bigelow was one of the best powerhouse wrestlers of his generation. He was much more athletic than he had any right to be, as he was very fast and performed high-flying moves like a cruiserweight wrestler. Despite his unique talent, Bam Bam Bigelow could never win the big one. He had what it took to reign, but simply never received a world title push.

5 Unstoppable Champion: Brock Lesnar

This list would not be complete without Brock Lesnar. He is one of the most dominant World Champions in WWE history, as he has had several great title reigns, including his 504-day Universal Title reign.

Lesnar is a true powerhouse wrestler, as he is an unstoppable beast who has defeated the vast majority of his opponents. Lesnar has always been the final boss in WWE, that unstoppable wrestler that seems impossible to defeat, and when someone defeats him, it feels like a huge, historical feat.

4 Couldn't Win The Big One: The British Bulldog

The British Bulldog making his ring entrance.

The British Bulldog was an excellent powerhouse wrestler, and he was also a good technical wrestler, and that combination of technique and power was unusual back then. He definitely had what it took to be World Champion in a top promotion, but he could never win the big one, neither in WWE nor in WCW. The greatest achievement of The British Bulldog's career was winning the Intercontinental Title, and he did it by defeating Bret Hart in an all-time classic at SummerSlam 1992.

3 Unstoppable Champion: Hulk Hogan

If we talk about unstoppable champions, it is impossible not to think about Hulk Hogan, who had a 1,474-day World Title reign. That is more than four years. People wondered if he was ever going to drop the title, if someone would ever stop him. The Hulkster was the face of the company and a dominant powerhouse champion, despite being a babyface. The fans loved watching him win and dominate, and that’s why he became a wrestling icon.

2 Couldn't Win The Big One: Umaga

Umaga was a true monster heel, a true powerhouse wrestler. He was 6'4" and weighed around 350 pounds, so physically he was impressive. He was an unstoppable force, and was booked as such, but for some reason Vince McMahon never pulled the trigger on making Umaga World Champion. Umaga came very close to winning the big one when he was in a feud with John Cena, and they had a memorable Last Man Standing match at Royal Rumble 2007.

1 Unstoppable Champion: Bruno Sammartino

Bruno Sammartino could not be missing in this list, because he was an authentic unstoppable champion. He held the WWE Heavyweight Championship for 2,803 days (about 7 and a half years). It is the longest reign in WWE history and is a practically unbreakable record. He wasn't that tall (5'10"), but he weighed 264 pounds, and his in-ring style was based on power moves. Sammartino was a unique wrestler, a key character in the history of wrestling.