European Champions: photos
Starting in 1997, WWE's European Championship complemented both the Intercontinental and WWE Championship in singles competition, but went defunct in 2002. Check out this photo gallery of the competitors who held this once coveted title.
The British Bulldog became the first-ever European Champion by winning a 1997 tournament held in Germany.
When Bulldog won the European Championship, he was also one-half of the World Tag Team Champions.
Shawn Michaels became the second European Champion at the One Night Only event held in Bulldog's native England.
Ordered to defend the title by Commissioner Slaughter, Shawn Michaels intentionally lost the European Championship to his friend Triple H.
After losing in the finals to crown the first European Champion, Owen Hart finally won the title nearly one year later by defeating Goldust, who was dressed as Triple H.
D'Lo Brown held the European Championship on four occasions, a record also held by William Regal. D'Lo was also the first Superstar to hold the title simultaneously with the Intercontinental Championship.
The Superstar that is arguably most closely associated with the European Championship is X-Pac.
X-Pac had a fierce rivalry over the title with Shane McMahon, and the two battled with the European Championship on the line in one of the marquee matchups of WrestleMania XV.
Following WrestleMania XV, Shane vacated the title to retire from active competition as a champion.
Nearly three months after being abandoned, the European Championship was reactivated by Mideon when he found the title in Shane's travel bag.
