The old Grand Slam format included three singles and one Tag Team Championship. The singles Championships include one primary, one secondary and one tertiary Championship.
But the current format that is being followed includes four Championships. including one primary, two secondary and one Tag Team Championship.
Though national promotions like Impact Wrestling and ROH also acknowledge this distinction, for the purposes of this article, we shall consider WWE’s version of Grand Slam Champions.
WWE currently acknowledges 10 Superstars as Grand Slam Champions on the basis of the current format, which is being followed since WrestleMania 31 in 2015. The list includes a combination of legendary and young WWE Superstars who have had decorated careers with the WWE.
But now, let’s look at ten WWE Superstars who are just one title away from becoming a Grand Slam Champion.
#10 Zack Ryder
“The Long Island Iced-z” has to be one of the most highly underrated Superstars in the history of the WWE. Even though he was not given an opportunity in the main event scenes, Ryder did go on to capture mid card and tag team championships in the WWE during his decade long career.
He is now in the competition to get a spot among the list of elite WWE Superstars who are called as Grand Slam Champions and he is just one Championship away from achieving that feat.
Zack Ryder’s Championship stats in the WWE:
Championships Won:
WWE Intercontinental Championship (1 time)
WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time)
The United States Championship (1 time)
Championship required for a Grand Slam:
- WWE / Universal Championship
So, Zack Ryder needs to win either the WWE or the Universal Championship to be recognized as a Grand Slam Champion.
Ryder was one of the popular Superstars on the WWE roster a couple of years ago and he had an excellent connection with the fans.Thanks to an untimely injury coupled with some bad booking, Ryder has lost all of his momentum and is now lost in the shuffle on the lower mid-card of SmackDown Live.
A Grand Slam seems very unlikely for Ryder if WWE continues to book him the same way as they are doing now, but if Ryder finds a way to reinvent himself, he can very well achieve the distinction.
#9 Sheamus
‘The Celtic Warrior’ made his official WWE debut as a part of the ECW brand on 30th June 2009 and that was the start of a decorated career for the Irish Superstar.
Sheamus is one among the few Superstars who has won the WWE Championship as his very first Championship in the WWE.
Sheamus is currently one half of the Raw Tag Team Champions, along with his partner Cesaro and is just one Championship away from becoming a Grand Slam Champion.
Sheamus’ Championship stats in the WWE:
Championships Won:
WWE Championship (3 times)
World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
The United States Championship (2 times)
WWE Raw Tag Team Championship (4 times), current
Championship required for a Grand Slam:
- WWE Intercontinental Championship
Sheamus needs to win the Intercontinental Championship in order to be recognized as a Grand Slam Champion in the WWE.
Hopefully, some day, the Celtic Warrior will win the Intercontinental Championship and claim his rightful spot on the list of WWE Grand Slam Champions.
#8 Rey Mysterio
Mysterio made his shocking return to the WWE in the Royal Rumble match in January, but unfortunately, it was only a one-off appearance, as he had not signed a full-time contract with the WWE during the period.
However, it is being expected that the Master of the 619 will be back inside a WWE ring again after WrestleMania 34, as it is not a matter of ‘if’ but a matter of ‘when’ he will make his highly anticipated full-time return to the WWE.
Mysterio has won multiple Championships in the WWE and, has had a Hall of Fame-worthy career. The one thing he is yet to accomplish is becoming a Grand Slam Champion in the WWE.
Rey Mysterio’s Championship stats in the WWE:
Championships Won:
World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
WWE Championship (1 time)
WWE Cruiserweight Championship (3 times)
WWE Intercontinental Championship (2 times)
WWE Tag Team Championship (4 times)
Championship required for a Grand Slam:
- The United States Championship
Rey Mysterio needs to win the United States Championship when he makes his return to the WWE, to take his place among the WWE Grand Slam Champions.
#7 Kofi Kingston
Kingston is one of the highly talented Superstars in the WWE roster right now. He is the only Superstar on this list along with Zack Ryder, who needs to win a World Championship to complete a Grand Slam in the WWE.
Kofi Kingston’s Championship stats in the WWE:
Championships Won:
WWE Intercontinental Championship (4 times)
The United States Championship (3 times)
WWE (Raw) Tag Team Championship (4 times)
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship (2 times)
World Tag Team Championship (1 time)
Championship required for a Grand Slam:
- WWE / Universal Championship
Kofi Kingston is currently a part of the highly successful stable “The New Day” alongside Xavier Woods and Big E.
He is mostly involved in the tag team championship picture and it is unlikely that he will receive a main event push anytime soon. He will have to settle for some more tag team or possibly some mid-card singles Championships.
#6 Kane
‘The Big Red Monster’ has had an illustrious career with the WWE for the past two decades and is one of the legends of the professional wrestling industry.
Over the years, Kane has won numerous Championships within the WWE and is one of the most highly decorated Superstars in the company. He is a star both inside and outside the ring and, he is just one step away from gaining one more accolade for himself.
Kane is a Grand Slam Champion as per the old format but, he needs one more Championship to be recognized as a Grand Slam Champion in the current format.
Kane’s Championship stats in the WWE:
Championships Won:
ECW Championship (1 time)
World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
WCW Tag Team Championship (1 time)
WWE Tag Team Championship (2 times)
WWF/WWE Championship (1 time)
WWF Hardcore Championship (1 time)
WWF/WWE Intercontinental Championship (2 times)
WWF/WWE World Tag Team Championship (9 times)
Championship required for a Grand Slam:
- The United States Championship
Kane has political ambitions on his mind and does not have a very long time in the ring. WWE must capitalize on this opportunity to immortalize the Big Red Machine with the status of a Grand Slam Champion in the near future.
#5 Jeff Hardy
The younger Hardy brother has developed quite the resume in the professional wrestling industry as he is a highly decorated wrestler in the industry.
Jeff Hardy, like Kane, is a Grand Slam Champion as per the older format but needs one more title as per the current format.
Jeff Hardy’s Championship stats in the WWE:
Championships Won:
World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
WCW Tag Team Championship (1 time)
WWE Championship (1 time)
WWE European Championship (1 time)
WWE Raw Tag Team Championship (1 time)
WWF/WWE Hardcore Championship (3 times)
WWF/WWE Intercontinental Championship (4 times)
WWF Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
WWF/World Tag Team Championship (6 times)
Championship required for a Grand Slam:
- The United States Championship
Jeff Hardy is now out of action due to an injury but he did make a cameo in the Ultimate Deletion match between his brother Matt and Bray Wyatt on this past week’s episode of Raw.
This does hint that Jeff Hardy will return in his Brother Nero gimmick alongside his brother, as we draw closer to WrestleMania 34.
#4 Kevin Owens
‘The prizefighter’ was one of the hottest free agents in professional wrestling when WWE signed him in 2014. After a successful stint on the independent circuit, it was time for Owens to shine in the big league.
In just a matter of 4 years, Kevin Owens has made an everlasting impact in the WWE. He is a former Universal Champion and, is currently in a feud with SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon.
Kevin Owens’ Championship stats in the WWE:
Championships Won:
WWE Universal Championship (1 time)
WWE Intercontinental Championship (2 times)
The United States Championship (3 times)
Championship required for a Grand Slam:
- Raw / SmackDown Tag Team Championships
Owens looked like he had just started in the WWE but, in such a short span of time, he has grown to reach a level where he is just one title away from joining the list of elite WWE Superstars known as Grand Slam Champions.
#3 Seth Rollins
While his Shield brothers are already Grand Slam Champions, Seth Rollins finds himself just one Championship short of becoming on par with Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose.
Seth Rollins is one of the most important Superstars on the WWE roster and is destined to carry the company into the future.
Seth Rollins’ Championship stats in the WWE:
Championships Won:
WWE/Raw Tag Team Championship (3 times)
The United States Championship (1 time)
WWE World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
Championship required for a Grand Slam:
- The Intercontinental Championship
Rollins might achieve this feat sooner than later, as he is ready to claim the Intercontinental Championship when he faces The Miz and Finn Balor in a Triple Threat match at WrestleMania 34.
#2 Triple H
‘The Game’ is undoubtedly one among the greatest professional wrestlers in the history of the industry.
In his illustrious career, Triple H has earned everyone’s respect with his dedication and his success. He has transitioned from being a successful wrestler in the ring, to being a successful executive inside the boardroom, as he plays a vital role in creating WWE’s star power for the future.
Triple H has won multiple Championships in the WWE including 14 World Championships; the only thing he is yet to achieve is the distinction of being a Grand Slam winner.
Triple H’s Championship stats in the WWE:
Championships Won:
Unified WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time)
World Heavyweight Championship (5 times)
WWF/WWE Championship (9 times)
WWF/WWE Intercontinental Championship (5 times)
WWF European Championship (2 times)
WWF Tag Team Championship (2 times)
Championship required for a Grand Slam:
- The United States Championship
This is far from becoming a reality as Triple H is now only a part-time performer and has a more prominent role to play backstage as the Executive Vice President of Talents and Live Events.
He is now focused on creating the future stars of the WWE and a Grand Slam Championship seems unlikely for The Game.
#1 John Cena
With 16 World Championships to his name, John Cena is arguably the greatest Superstar in the history of the WWE.
He is a two-time Royal Rumble winner, Mr. Money in the Bank and has 10 Slammy awards to his name. With all these accolades under his belt, the only thing he hasn’t accomplished in the WWE is being called a Grand Slam Champion.
John Cena’s Championship stats in the WWE:
Championships Won:
World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
World Tag Team Championship (2 times)
WWE Championship (13 times)
WWE Tag Team Championship (2 times)
The United States Championship (5 times)
Championship required for a Grand Slam:
- The Intercontinental Championship
It is apparent that his time in the WWE is coming to a close and it is only fitting that Cena should sign off his stellar career with a Grand Slam win.
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