Essex paid Waugh and his teammates championship-winning bonuses, indicating their belief that they were the rightful champions.

Since Michaels had never been defeated in the ring for the title, he claimed to be the rightful champion and even carried around his old title belt.

After the match, Pearce said Cabana was the rightful champion.

Konečný is now expected to fight Zaurbek Baysangurov in a match, which will reveal the rightful champion.

Amir Khan has stated this could be his last fight at light-welterweight and therefore he's looking for a spectacular performance to leave the division as the rightful champion.

A week later, ROH announced an elimination three-way dance between the trio to decide the rightful champion.

The Prime Minister thus hopes to emerge as the rightful champion of the right.

But, even so, it was still true that the bourgeoisie was the rightful champion of nationalism.

This win had added significance because even though the WBA title was not on the line, many saw Klitschko as the rightful champion.

He, at large, is being whispered of as the rightful champion of freedom-the rightful king, if you will-who shall return.