When John Cena retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton at Backlash 2025, few could have predicted the finish would spark such heated debate. A sudden run-in by R-Truth, a confused referee, and a post-match Attitude Adjustment at the press conference—none of it sat right with fans. For a rivalry spanning two decades, the ending felt less like closure and more like a creative cop-out.

But Cena vs Orton is far from the first title match to leave audiences divided. From real-life betrayals to baffling booking decisions, WWE has long blurred the line between shock value and storyline logic. Here’s our definitive countdown of the 10 most controversial title wins in WWE history, ranked in reverse order—from merely messy to outright infamous.

10. Sheamus v Roman Reigns – Survivor Series 2015 (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)

Reigns finally won the big one… and lost it in under five minutes to a cold Sheamus cash-in. A deflating end to what was meant to be a coronation.

9. Triple H v Five Opponents – Unforgiven 1999 (WWF Championship)

In a chaotic Six-Pack Challenge riddled with interference and McMahon family drama, Triple H emerged victorious—marking the start of his politicised “reign of terror.”

8. John Cena v Randy Orton – Backlash 2025 (Undisputed WWE Championship)

What should’ve been a legacy-defining clash ended in R-Truth interference, another tainted win for Cena, and more questions than answers about his heel arc; let's say that this recent match wasn't a hit with fans at all.

7. Brock Lesnar v Kofi Kingston – SmackDown 2019 (WWE Championship)

Kofi’s fairy-tale reign ended in just nine seconds. One F5. No story. No follow-up. Fans were stunned by the disrespect.

6. Andre the Giant v Hulk Hogan – The Main Event 1988 (WWF Championship)

With a bogus referee calling the pin, Andre won the title—only to immediately sell it to Ted DiBiase. The result was nullified, the belt vacated, and fans confused.

5. Randy Orton v Daniel Bryan – SummerSlam 2013 (WWE Championship)

Moments after Bryan’s emotional win over Cena, Triple H turned on him and Orton swooped in. Instant heat, instant outrage—but also the birth of the Yes Movement.

4. The Rock v Mankind – Survivor Series 1998 (WWF Championship)

A re-run of the Montreal Screwjob (more on that later), Vince called for the bell mid-Sharpshooter without a tap-out. The corporate coronation of The Rock came at Mankind’s expense.

3. John Cena v Cody Rhodes – WrestleMania 41 (Undisputed WWE Championship)

A historic 17th title win for Cena—tarnished by heel tactics, foreign object use, and Travis Scott’s interference. The finish turned elation to disbelief.

2. Hulk Hogan v Yokozuna – WrestleMania IX (WWF Championship)

Hogan wasn’t booked to wrestle for the title—but hijacked the moment after Bret lost. A 22-second squash that reeked of ego over storytelling.

1. Shawn Michaels v Bret Hart – Survivor Series 1997 (WWF Championship)

The infamous Montreal Screwjob. In the midst of a heated real-life feud between both wrestlers, McMahon ordered the bell rung without Bret submitting, ending the match—and Bret’s WWF career—through real-life betrayal that has been immortalised in documentaries and countless thinkpieces over the years.