Why Lineal Championships Would Not Work in Wrestling

The concept of lineal championships is a traditional way of recognizing world champions in combat sports like boxing and mixed martial arts. A lineal champion is a fighter who has defeated the previous champion in a match, creating a continuous lineage of champions. This concept is more suitable for sports where the outcome is determined by the athletes' performance in the ring, rather than by external factors like storylines or creative direction.

Lineal championships have several key characteristics that distinguish them from other types of championships. These include:

• Direct Descent: The title is passed down through direct victories, where a fighter must beat the reigning champion to become the new champion.
• No Stripping: Lineal champions can't be stripped of their title by sanctioning bodies; they can only lose it in the ring or by retiring.
• Vacancy Resolution: When a champion retires or moves to a different weight class, the title is filled by a bout between top contenders.

It's essential to note that the lineal championship is a symbolic concept, with no physical belt or title to represent it. This distinguishes it from traditional championships, which often have a tangible prize associated with them.

The lineal championship concept is not well-suited for professional wrestling, which is sports entertainment. In wrestling, championships are often used as a narrative device to drive plotlines and character development, rather than as a legitimate recognition of a fighter's achievement.

If lineal championships existed in wrestling, there would likely be multiple instances where the official champion and the lineal champion are different. This would lead to confusion and a proliferation of "lineal champions" throughout wrestling history. For example, if Cody Rhodes defended the WWE Championship in a 3-way match against John Cena and Roman Reigns, and Cena pinned Reigns to become the new WWE Champion, Cody would still be considered the lineal champion because he wasn't defeated by Cena or Reigns.  However, the lineal championship concept could be used as a creative angle in wrestling storylines. If Cody Rhodes, as a "heel" (a villainous character), were to refer to himself as the lineal champion, it could be a clever way to build tension and create a compelling storyline leading up to a rematch against John Cena.

By claiming to be the true champion, Cody could portray himself as the rightful holder of the title, while also casting doubt on the legitimacy of the current champion (John Cena). This could lead to a series of promos, interviews, and interactions where Cody asserts his claim to the title, further fueling the rivalry and setting up their upcoming match.

In conclusion, the lineal championship concept is a traditional way of recognizing true world champions in boxing and/or mixed martial arts. While it has its characteristics and advantages, it would not work in professional wrestling.  But in all honesty, wrestling fans wouldn’t dig this concept anyway.