More Pressure: Winning a Championship Or Defending One?

[Dorian]

I have always wondered about this, any more opinions?

[???]

Defending one. Because people expect you to.

[Heru]

What is more humiliating? Being blown out by the defending champs, or being the defending champs and being blown out by nobodies?

Champs are more expected to win, hence more pressure in defending. But there are good arguments on both sides (including yours,) so I'm still on the fence.

I take it from the perspective that I would be more nervous trying to achieve something I've never attempted before. Defending would still be nerve-wrecking, but you've been at that level before, so it wouldn't be as much.

Why do you think an emphasis is put on experience?