From 1997 to 2002, the WWE had a third tier championship, known as the European Championship. It served three purposes: 1) to elevate talent; 2) to reward company loyalty; and 3) to give the lower tier talent something to fight for, fleshing out storylines.

It’s time the WWE brought back the European Championship.

Elevating Talent

The British Bulldog, Davey Boy Smith, was the first winner of the European Title in 1997. He didn’t really need it, being a former Tag Team and Intercontinental Champion. But by the end of the year, a young Triple H was the champion; his first step to dominance in the WWE. Later champions included Eddie Guerrero, Kurt Angle, and Chris Jericho, who all used it as a stepping stone to greater success. It gave them some legitimacy in the eyes of fans. Some of the new guys in WWE could use a rub like this. I’m thinking of Keith Lee, Matt Riddle, Otis; even Baron Corbin and Elias.

The Reward

X-Pac, William Regal, and Al Snow all held the European Championship at different stages. Regal actually held it on four occasions. They were the stalwarts of the attitude era that could never quite make it up to the next level. I can see the resurrected European Title being held by guys like Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, John Morrison, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio, and R-Truth as a thank you for service.

Lower Tier Talent

Any wrestling promotion needs its enhancement talent, or what we used to call jobbers. The guys that help the stars get over, but will never get to the top themselves. They are vitally important, as without them, new stars have no one to beat. Spike Dudley, Test, and Hurricane Helms all served their purpose in WWE as European Champions that new talent could beat to elevate themselves. It gave them something to fight for, and a worthy story line. I can see this for guys like Chad Gable, Ricochet, Buddy Murphy, Drew Gulak, Angel Garza, and Cedric Alexander. I would have LOVED to see Heath Slater in this role. Slater would have been the perfect European Champion - and it would have also been a reward for loyalty.

The WWE needs to think about what the wrestlers promoted to RAW and Smackdown will actually do. Too many have floundered in recent years, although I do give them much credit for the rise of Matt Riddle, Keith Lee and Otis this year in difficult circumstances. If only any one of them had the chance to hold a title some time in 2020……