It’s often said that keeping the belt is far more challenging than getting it in the first place. To complicate things a bit further, a newly crowned champion has to juggle the wealth of responsibilities that coincide with the title—press tours, fan expos, and innumerable interviews are all part of the immense agenda.
The public eye never stops glaring, observing and critiquing a champion’s performance both in and out of the cage.
In spite of the perks, reaching No. 1 status isn’t necessarily a guaranteed pass to superstardom. A pile of bodies might litter the road to the belt but, to the casual fan, it’s the title reign that truly counts.
PPV numbers, fans in attendance, and the media discourse dictate a champion’s ability to draw the attention of fans that won’t necessarily watch each and every event as a de facto standard.
Let’s examine the current roster of champions for their ability to penetrate the casual masses.