List of WWE World Heavyweight Champions

The WWE World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It is the first world title established in WWE, having been introduced in 1963 as the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) World Heavyweight Championship. After ending its affiliation with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), the promotion was renamed World Wrestling Federation (WWF) with the title also renamed to reflect the acronym.
In 2001, it was unified with the World Championship (formerly the WCW World Heavyweight Championship) following the WWF's buyout of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and became the Undisputed WWF Championship.[1][2]
In 2002, the WWF was renamed World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and split its roster into two franchises, Raw and SmackDown!, in a brand extension.[3][4] The title was then designated to the SmackDown! brand, while WWE established an alternate world title known as the World Heavyweight Championship for the Raw brand. The WWE Undisputed Championship was then renamed simply as the WWE Championship.[5]
At the TLC pay-per-view on December 15, 2013, when Randy Orton won the championship against John Cena, the World Heavyweight Championship was unified with the WWE Championship, resulting in the retiring of the former,[6] and the renaming of the latter to its current name of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
The championship is generally contested in professional wrestling matches, in which participants usually execute scripted finishes rather than contend in direct competition. Some reigns were held by champions using a ring name, while others used their real name. The first champion was Buddy Rogers, who won the championship in 1963. The champion with the single longest reign is Bruno Sammartino with a reign of 2,803 days, while the record for longest combined reign is also held by Sammartino at 4,040. The current champion is Roman Reigns in his third reign after defeating previous champion Triple H at WrestleMania 32.
Overall, there have been 46 different official champions, with John Cena having the most reigns at twelve. Seven men in history have held the championship for a continuous reign of one year (365 days) or more. They are Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales, Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, John Cena, and CM Punk.[7]
Title history
Names
Name | Years |
---|---|
WWWF World Heavyweight Championship | April 25, 1963 – February 8, 1971 |
WWWF Heavyweight Championship | February 8, 1971 – March 1, 1979 |
WWF Heavyweight Championship | March 1, 1979 – December 26, 1983 |
WWF World Heavyweight Championship | December 26, 1983 – March 30, 1998 |
WWF Championship | March 30, 1998 – December 9, 2001 |
Undisputed WWF Championship | December 9, 2001[2] – May 6, 2002[3] |
Undisputed WWE Championship | May 6, 2002[3] – May 19, 2002[8] |
WWE Undisputed Championship | May 19, 2002[3] – September 2, 2002[9] |
WWE Championship | September 2, 2002[9] – December 15, 2013 |
WWE World Heavyweight Championship | December 15, 2013 – present |
Reigns
As of May 7, 2016.
Reign | The reign number for the specific champion listed |
---|---|
Location | The city in which the title was won |
Event | The event promoted by the respective promotion in which the title was won |
† | Indicates the title change is not recognized by WWE |
+ | Indicates the current reign is changing daily |
No. | Wrestler | Reign | Date | Days held | Location | Event | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Buddy Rogers | 1 | April 25, 1963 | 22 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | — | Won a fictional tournament in Rio de Janeiro after the WWWF left the National Wrestling Alliance, of which Rogers was the 7th champion since defeating Pat O'Connor on 30 June 1961. | [10] |
2 | Bruno Sammartino | 1 | May 17, 1963 | 2,803 | New York, NY | House show | [11] | |
3 | Ivan Koloff | 1 | January 18, 1971 | 21 | New York, NY | House show | [12] | |
4 | Pedro Morales | 1 | February 8, 1971 | 1,027 | New York, NY | House show | Title renamed WWWF Heavyweight Championship when WWWF rejoined the NWA in 1971. | [13] |
5 | Stan Stasiak | 1 | December 1, 1973 | 9 | Philadelphia, PA | House show | [14] | |
6 | Bruno Sammartino | 2 | December 10, 1973 | 1,237 | New York, NY | House show | [15] | |
7 | Superstar Billy Graham | 1 | April 30, 1977 | 296 | Baltimore, MD | House show | [16] | |
8 | Bob Backlund | 1 | February 20, 1978 | 2,135 ( 648)† |
New York, NY | House show | The title was renamed the WWF Heavyweight Championship when the World Wide Wrestling Federation became the World Wrestling Federation in March 1979. | [17][18] |
— | Antonio Inoki | † | November 30, 1979 | 6 | Tokushima, Japan | House show | Reign is not recognized by WWE.[19] | [20] |
— | Vacated | — | December 6, 1979 | — | Tokyo, Japan | House show | Inoki immediately vacated the title after a rematch with Backlund ended in a no contest due to the interference of Tiger Jeet Singh. | [20] |
— | Bob Backlund | † | December 17, 1979 | 1,470 | New York City, NY | House show | WWE recognizes Backlund's first and second reigns as being uninterrupted, and considers this a continuation of the first. Backlund defeated Bobby Duncum in a Texas Death match to fill the vacancy. | [20] |
9 | The Iron Sheik | 1 | December 26, 1983 | 28 | New York City, NY | House show | The Iron Sheik won by forfeit. Backlund never submitted to Sheik's "The Camel Clutch" but Backlund's manager Arnold Skaaland threw in the towel to prevent any major injury. | [21] |
10 | Hulk Hogan | 1 | January 23, 1984 | 1,474 | New York City, NY | House show | [22] | |
11 | André the Giant | 1 | February 5, 1988 | <1 | Indianapolis, IN | The Main Event I | André defeated Hogan when referee Earl Hebner, who was bribed by Ted DiBiase, scored the three-count, despite Hogan raising his shoulder past the two-count. | [23] |
— | Vacated | — | February 5, 1988 | — | Indianapolis, IN | The Main Event I | Immediately after winning the title from Hogan, André handed the belt to DiBiase; President Jack Tunney ruled this as vacating the title. | [23] |
12 | Randy Savage | 1 | March 27, 1988 | 371 | Atlantic City, NJ | WrestleMania IV | Defeated Ted DiBiase in a tournament final to win the vacant title. | [24] |
13 | Hulk Hogan | 2 | April 2, 1989 | 364 | Atlantic City, NJ | WrestleMania V | [25] | |
14 | The Ultimate Warrior | 1 | April 1, 1990 | 293 | Toronto, ON | WrestleMania VI | This was also for Warrior's WWF Intercontinental Championship. | [26] |
15 | Sgt. Slaughter | 1 | January 19, 1991 | 64 | Miami, FL | Royal Rumble | [27] | |
16 | Hulk Hogan | 3 | March 24, 1991 | 248 | Los Angeles, CA | WrestleMania VII | [28] | |
17 | The Undertaker | 1 | November 27, 1991 | 6 | Detroit, MI | Survivor Series | [29] | |
18 | Hulk Hogan | 4 | December 3, 1991 | 1 | San Antonio, TX | This Tuesday in Texas | [30] | |
— | Vacated | — | December 4, 1991 | — | New Haven, CT | WWF Superstars of Wrestling | Hogan was stripped of the title by Tunney due to the controversy surrounding both of the previous title changes. This aired December 7, 1991. | [30] |
19 | Ric Flair | 1 | January 19, 1992 | 77 | Albany, NY | Royal Rumble | This was the Royal Rumble match, in which Flair last eliminated Sid Justice. | [31] |
20 | Randy Savage | 2 | April 5, 1992 | 149 | Indianapolis, IN | WrestleMania VIII | [32] | |
21 | Ric Flair | 2 | September 1, 1992 | 41 | Hershey, PA | Prime Time Wrestling | Aired on September 14, 1992. | [33] |
22 | Bret Hart | 1 | October 12, 1992 | 174 | Saskatoon, SK | House show | [34] | |
23 | Yokozuna | 1 | April 4, 1993 | <1 | Las Vegas, NV | WrestleMania IX | [35] | |
24 | Hulk Hogan | 5 | 70 | [36] | ||||
25 | Yokozuna | 2 | June 13, 1993 | 280 | Dayton, OH | King of the Ring | [37] | |
26 | Bret Hart | 2 | March 20, 1994 | 248 | New York City, NY | WrestleMania X | Roddy Piper was the guest referee. | [38] |
27 | Bob Backlund | 2 | November 23, 1994 | 3 | San Antonio, TX | Survivor Series | This was a "Throw in the Towel" submission match. | [39] |
28 | Diesel | 1 | November 26, 1994 | 358 | New York City, NY | House show | [40] | |
29 | Bret Hart | 3 | November 19, 1995 | 133 | Landover, MD | Survivor Series | This was a no-disqualification match. | [41] |
30 | Shawn Michaels | 1 | March 31, 1996 | 231 | Anaheim, CA | WrestleMania XII | This was a 60-minute Iron Man match, in which Michaels won 1–0 in overtime. | [42] |
31 | Sycho Sid | 1 | November 17, 1996 | 63 | New York City, NY | Survivor Series | [43] | |
32 | Shawn Michaels | 2 | January 19, 1997 | 25 | San Antonio, TX | Royal Rumble | [44] | |
— | Vacated | — | February 13, 1997 | — | Lowell, MA | Raw | Michaels forfeited the title due to a knee injury. | [44] |
33 | Bret Hart | 4 | February 16, 1997 | 1 | Chattanooga, TN | In Your House 13: Final Four | This was a four-way elimination match also involving Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker and Vader. | [45] |
34 | Sycho Sid | 2 | February 17, 1997 | 34 | Nashville, TN | Raw | [46] | |
35 | The Undertaker | 2 | March 23, 1997 | 133 | Rosemont, IL | WrestleMania 13 | This was a no-disqualification match. | [47] |
36 | Bret Hart | 5 | August 3, 1997 | 98 | East Rutherford, NJ | SummerSlam | Shawn Michaels was the guest referee. | [48] |
37 | Shawn Michaels | 3 | November 9, 1997 | 140 | Montreal, QC | Survivor Series | Won the title in the Montreal Screwjob. | [49] |
38 | Stone Cold Steve Austin | 1 | March 29, 1998 | 91 | Boston, MA | WrestleMania XIV | Mike Tyson was the special outside enforcer. | [50] |
39 | Kane | 1 | June 28, 1998 | 1 | Pittsburgh, PA | King of the Ring | This was a first blood match. | [51] |
40 | Stone Cold Steve Austin | 2 | June 29, 1998 | 90 | Cleveland, OH | Raw Is War | [52] | |
— | Vacated | — | September 27, 1998 | — | Hamilton, ON | Breakdown: In Your House | Vacated after Kane and The Undertaker simultaneously pinned Austin in a triple threat match. A subsequent match for the vacant title at Judgment Day: In Your House between Kane and The Undertaker ended in a no-contest.[53] |
[52] |
41 | The Rock | 1 | November 15, 1998 | 44 | St. Louis, MO | Survivor Series | Defeated Mankind in the finals of a tournament for the vacant title. | [54] |
42 | Mankind | 1 | December 29, 1998 | 26 | Worcester, MA | Raw Is War | This was a no-disqualification match. Aired on January 4, 1999. | [55] |
43 | The Rock | 2 | January 24, 1999 | 2 | Anaheim, CA | Royal Rumble | This was an "I Quit" match, which The Rock won by knocking Mankind unconscious while someone backstage played an audio recording of Mankind saying "I quit" while The Rock placed the microphone against his face. | [56] |
44 | Mankind | 2 | January 26, 1999 | 20 | Tucson, AZ | Halftime Heat | This was an empty arena match that aired as a special during halftime of Super Bowl XXXIII on January 31, 1999. | [57] |
45 | The Rock | 3 | February 15, 1999 | 41 | Birmingham, AL | Raw Is War | This was a ladder match. | [58] |
46 | Stone Cold Steve Austin | 3 | March 28, 1999 | 56 | Philadelphia, PA | WrestleMania XV | This was a no-disqualification match with Mankind as the special guest referee. | [59] |
47 | The Undertaker | 3 | May 23, 1999 | 36 | Kansas City, MO | Over the Edge | Both Vince and Shane McMahon were special guest referees. | [60] |
48 | Stone Cold Steve Austin | 4 | June 28, 1999 | 55 | Charlotte, NC | Raw Is War | [61] | |
49 | Mankind | 3 | August 22, 1999 | 1 | Minneapolis, MN | SummerSlam | This was a triple threat match also involving Triple H, with Jesse Ventura as guest referee. | [62] |
50 | Triple H | 1 | August 23, 1999 | 22 | Ames, IA | Raw Is War | Shane McMahon was the guest referee. | [63] |
51 | Mr. McMahon | 1 | September 14, 1999 | 6 | Las Vegas, NV | SmackDown | Aired on September 16, 1999 with Shane McMahon as guest referee. | [64] |
— | Vacated | — | September 20, 1999 | — | Houston, TX | Raw Is War | McMahon vacated the title. | [64] |
52 | Triple H | 2 | September 26, 1999 | 49 | Charlotte, NC | Unforgiven | This was a Six-Pack Challenge match, also involving The Rock, Mankind, Big Show, The British Bulldog and Kane. Austin was the special outside enforcer. | [65] |
53 | Big Show | 1 | November 14, 1999 | 50 | Detroit, MI | Survivor Series | This was a triple threat match, also involving The Rock. | [66] |
54 | Triple H | 3 | January 3, 2000 | 118 | Miami, FL | Raw Is War | On April 17, 2000, Chris Jericho defeated Triple H for the WWF Championship after Earl Hebner's fast-count. Later that night, Triple H forced Hebner to reverse the decision, nullifying Jericho's reign and continuing Triple H's. | [67] |
55 | The Rock | 4 | April 30, 2000 | 21 | Washington, D.C. | Backlash | Shane McMahon was the guest referee. | [68] |
56 | Triple H | 4 | May 21, 2000 | 35 | Louisville, KY | Judgment Day | This was a 60-minute Iron Man match, which Triple H won 6–5 with Shawn Michaels as the guest referee. | [69] |
57 | The Rock | 5 | June 25, 2000 | 119 | Boston, MA | King of the Ring | This was a six-man tag team match with The Rock, The Undertaker and Kane vs. Triple H, Mr. McMahon and Shane McMahon. The Rock pinned Mr. McMahon to win Triple H's title. | [70] |
58 | Kurt Angle | 1 | October 22, 2000 | 126 | Albany, NY | No Mercy | This was a no-disqualification match. | [71] |
59 | The Rock | 6 | February 25, 2001 | 35 | Las Vegas, NV | No Way Out | [72] | |
60 | Stone Cold Steve Austin | 5 | April 1, 2001 | 175 | Houston, TX | WrestleMania X-Seven | This was a no-disqualification match. | [73] |
61 | Kurt Angle | 2 | September 23, 2001 | 15 | Pittsburgh, PA | Unforgiven | [74] | |
62 | Stone Cold Steve Austin | 6 | October 8, 2001 | 62 | Indianapolis, IN | Raw | [75] | |
63 | Chris Jericho | 1 | December 9, 2001 | 98 | San Diego, CA | Vengeance | Jericho had already defeated (WCW) World Heavyweight Champion The Rock for that title. By defeating Austin for the WWF Championship, he unified both titles as the Undisputed WWF Championship. | [76] |
64 | Triple H | 5 | March 17, 2002 | 35 | Toronto, ON, Canada | WrestleMania X8 | [77] | |
65 | Hollywood Hulk Hogan | 6 | April 21, 2002 | 28 | Kansas City, MO | Backlash | On May 6, 2002 after the World Wrestling Federation was renamed "World Wrestling Entertainment" due to a lawsuit by the World Wide Fund for Nature, the title was also renamed. | [78] |
66 | The Undertaker | 4 | May 19, 2002 | 63 | Nashville, TN | Judgment Day | On May 20, 2002, Rob Van Dam pinned The Undertaker for the title. Raw owner Ric Flair immediately restarted the match due to The Undertaker's foot being on the ropes and The Undertaker subsequently pinned Van Dam, nullifying Van Dam's reign and continuing Undertaker's. | [79] |
67 | The Rock | 7 | July 21, 2002 | 35 | Detroit, MI | Vengeance | This was a triple threat match, also involving Kurt Angle. | [80] |
68 | Brock Lesnar | 1 | August 25, 2002 | 84 | Uniondale, NY | SummerSlam | After the title became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand on September 2, 2002, the word "Undisputed" was removed from the title's name. The World Heavyweight Championship was re-created for the Raw brand. | [81] |
69 | Big Show | 2 | November 17, 2002 | 28 | New York, NY | Survivor Series | [82] | |
70 | Kurt Angle | 3 | December 15, 2002 | 105 | Sunrise, FL | Armageddon | [83] | |
71 | Brock Lesnar | 2 | March 30, 2003 | 119 | Seattle, WA | WrestleMania XIX | [84] | |
72 | Kurt Angle | 4 | July 27, 2003 | 51 | Denver, CO | Vengeance | This was a triple threat match, also involving Big Show. | [85] |
73 | Brock Lesnar | 3 | September 16, 2003 | 152 | Raleigh, NC | SmackDown | This was a 60-minute Iron Man match. Aired on September 18, 2003. | [86] |
74 | Eddie Guerrero | 1 | February 15, 2004 | 133 | Daly City, CA | No Way Out | [87][88] | |
75 | John "Bradshaw" Layfield | 1 | June 27, 2004 | 280 | Norfolk, VA | The Great American Bash | This was a Texas Bullrope match. | [89][90] |
76 | John Cena | 1 | April 3, 2005 | 280 | Los Angeles, CA | WrestleMania 21 | The title became exclusive on the Raw brand on June 6, 2005 when Cena was drafted to Raw in the 2005 draft lottery. | [91][92] |
77 | Edge | 1 | January 8, 2006 | 21 | Albany, NY | New Year's Revolution | Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract from WrestleMania 21 immediately after Cena won an Elimination Chamber match. | [93][94] |
78 | John Cena | 2 | January 29, 2006 | 133 | Miami, FL | Royal Rumble | [95][96] | |
79 | Rob Van Dam | 1 | June 11, 2006 | 22 | New York City, NY | ECW One Night Stand | Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract from WrestleMania 22. This was an Extreme Rules match. The title became property of the ECW brand. Van Dam became the first person to hold both the WWE and ECW World Championship. | [97][98] |
80 | Edge | 2 | July 3, 2006 | 76 | Philadelphia, PA | Raw | This was a triple threat match, also involving Cena. The title became exclusive on the Raw brand. | [99][100] |
81 | John Cena | 3 | September 17, 2006 | 380 | Toronto, ON | Unforgiven | This was a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. | [101] |
— | Vacated | — | October 2, 2007 | — | Dayton, OH | ECW | Vacated when Cena suffered a torn right pectoral tendon. | [102] |
82 | Randy Orton | 1 | October 7, 2007 | <1 | Rosemont, IL | No Mercy | Awarded the title by Mr. McMahon. | [103][104] |
83 | Triple H | 6 | <1 | [104][105] | ||||
84 | Randy Orton | 2 | 203 | This was a Last Man Standing match. | [104][106] | |||
85 | Triple H | 7 | April 27, 2008 | 210 | Baltimore, MD | Backlash | This was a Fatal-Four Way Elimination match, also involving Cena and Layfield. The title became a SmackDown exclusive title once again when Triple H was drafted to SmackDown on June 23, 2008. | [107][108] |
86 | Edge | 3 | November 23, 2008 | 21 | Boston, MA | Survivor Series | This was a triple threat match, also involving Vladimir Kozlov. Jeff Hardy had originally been scheduled to take part in the match, but did not participate after being (in storyline) attacked prior to the event. Triple H and Kozlov started the match before Edge was revealed as Hardy's surprise replacement. | [109][110] |
87 | Jeff Hardy | 1 | December 14, 2008 | 42 | Buffalo, NY | Armageddon | This was a triple threat match, also involving Triple H. | [111][112] |
88 | Edge | 4 | January 25, 2009 | 21 | Detroit, MI | Royal Rumble | This was a no-disqualification match. | [113][114] |
89 | Triple H | 8 | February 15, 2009 | 70 | Seattle, WA | No Way Out | This was an Elimination Chamber match, also involving Jeff Hardy, Kozlov, The Undertaker and Big Show. The title became a Raw exclusive title once again when Triple H was drafted to Raw on April 13, 2009. | [115][116] |
90 | Randy Orton | 3 | April 26, 2009 | 42 | Providence, RI | Backlash | This was a six-man tag team match with Orton, Ted DiBiase, Jr. and Cody Rhodes against Triple H, Shane McMahon and Batista, in which Orton would win the championship if his team won. | [117][118] |
91 | Batista | 1 | June 7, 2009 | 2 | New Orleans, LA | Extreme Rules | This was a steel cage match. | [119][120] |
— | Vacated | — | June 9, 2009 | — | — | — | Vacated when Batista suffered a torn left biceps. | [121] |
92 | Randy Orton | 4 | June 15, 2009 | 90 | Charlotte, NC | Raw | This was a Fatal Four-Way match also involving Triple H, Cena and Big Show. | [122][123] |
93 | John Cena | 4 | September 13, 2009 | 21 | Montreal, QC | Breaking Point | This was an "I Quit" match. If anyone interfered on Orton's behalf, he would have automatically lost the title. | [124][125] |
94 | Randy Orton | 5 | October 4, 2009 | 21 | Newark, NJ | Hell in a Cell | This was a Hell in a Cell match. | [126][127] |
95 | John Cena | 5 | October 25, 2009 | 49 | Pittsburgh, PA | Bragging Rights | This was a 60-minute Anything Goes Iron Man match in which Cena won 6-5. If Cena lost, he would have had to leave the Raw brand. | [128][129] |
96 | Sheamus | 1 | December 13, 2009 | 70 | San Antonio, TX | TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs | This was a Tables match. | [130][131] |
97 | John Cena | 6 | February 21, 2010 | <1 | St. Louis, MO | Elimination Chamber | This was an Elimination Chamber match, also involving Triple H, Orton, Sheamus, Ted DiBiase and Kofi Kingston. | [132] |
98 | Batista | 2 | 35 | Batista, a SmackDown superstar, transferred to the Raw roster after winning the title. | [133] | |||
99 | John Cena | 7 | March 28, 2010 | 84 | Glendale, AZ | WrestleMania XXVI | [134] | |
100 | Sheamus | 2 | June 20, 2010 | 91 | Uniondale, NY | Fatal 4-Way | This was a Fatal Four-Way match also involving Edge and Orton. | [135] |
101 | Randy Orton | 6 | September 19, 2010 | 64 | Rosemont, IL | Night of Champions | This was a Six-Pack Challenge Elimination match also involving Edge, Cena, Jericho and Wade Barrett. | [136] |
102 | The Miz | 1 | November 22, 2010 | 160 | Orlando, FL | Raw | The Miz cashed in his Money in the Bank contract after Orton successfully defended the WWE Championship against Barrett. | [137] |
103 | John Cena | 8 | May 1, 2011 | 77 | Tampa, FL | Extreme Rules | This was a triple threat steel cage match also involving John Morrison. | [138] |
104 | CM Punk | 1 | July 17, 2011 | 28 | Rosemont, IL | Money in the Bank | Punk was scripted to leave WWE the day after with the championship. He returned on the July 25 episode of Raw; his reign was deemed to continue through this period. | [139] |
105 | Rey Mysterio (and CM Punk) |
1 (1) |
July 25, 2011 | <1 | Hampton, VA | Raw | Defeated The Miz in the final of an eight-man tournament to crown a new champion. CM Punk was also the WWE Champion at this time. | [140] |
106 | John Cena (and CM Punk) |
9 (1) |
20 | CM Punk was also the WWE Champion at this time. | [141] | |||
— | CM Punk | 1 | August 14, 2011 | <1 | Los Angeles, CA | SummerSlam | Defeated Cena in a match to determine the undisputed champion. This is considered a continuation of his first reign. Triple H was the special guest referee. |
[142] |
107 | Alberto Del Rio | 1 | 35 | Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and defeated CM Punk, who had just become the undisputed WWE Champion but was attacked by Kevin Nash after defeating Cena. | [143] | |||
108 | John Cena | 10 | September 18, 2011 | 14 | Buffalo, NY | Night of Champions | [144] | |
109 | Alberto Del Rio | 2 | October 2, 2011 | 49 | New Orleans, LA | Hell in a Cell | This was a triple threat Hell in a Cell match also involving CM Punk. | [145] |
110 | CM Punk | 2 | November 20, 2011 | 434 | New York City, NY | Survivor Series | [146] | |
111 | The Rock | 8 | January 27, 2013 | 70 | Phoenix, AZ | Royal Rumble | Punk had initially won, but the match was then restarted by Mr. McMahon due to interference by The Shield. | [147] |
112 | John Cena | 11 | April 7, 2013 | 133 | East Rutherford, NJ | WrestleMania 29 | [148] | |
113 | Daniel Bryan | 1 | August 18, 2013 | <1 | Los Angeles, CA | SummerSlam | Triple H was the special guest referee. | [149] |
114 | Randy Orton | 7 | 28 | Orton cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. Triple H was the special guest referee. | [150] | |||
115 | Daniel Bryan | 2 | September 15, 2013 | 1 | Detroit, MI | Night of Champions | [151] | |
— | Vacated | — | September 16, 2013 | — | Cleveland, OH | Raw | Vacated after a controversial finish when Bryan defeated Orton to win the title. A subsequent match for the vacant title at Battleground between Bryan and Orton ended in a no contest. | [152] |
116 | Randy Orton | 8 | October 27, 2013 | 161 | Miami, FL | Hell in a Cell | Defeated Daniel Bryan in a Hell in a Cell match for the vacant title with Shawn Michaels serving as the special guest referee. On December 15, 2013 at the TLC pay-per-view, Orton defeated John Cena to unify the World Heavyweight Championship with the WWE Championship. The title became known as the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. |
[153] |
117 | Daniel Bryan | 3 | April 6, 2014 | 64 | New Orleans, LA | WrestleMania XXX | This was a triple threat match also involving Batista. | [154] |
— | Vacated | — | June 9, 2014 | — | Minneapolis, MN | Raw | Bryan was stripped of the title due to a neck injury. | [155] |
118 | John Cena | 12 | June 29, 2014 | 49 | Boston, MA | Money in the Bank | This was a ladder match also involving Alberto Del Rio, Bray Wyatt, Cesaro, Kane, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, and Sheamus. | [156] |
119 | Brock Lesnar | 4 | August 17, 2014 | 224 | Los Angeles, CA | SummerSlam | [157] | |
120 | Seth Rollins | 1 | March 29, 2015 | 220 | Santa Clara, CA | WrestleMania 31 | Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract during a singles match between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, thus making it a triple threat match. Rollins pinned Reigns to win the title. | [158] |
— | Vacated | — | November 4, 2015 | — | Dublin, Ireland | House show | Vacated after Rollins suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and a damaged meniscus. | [159] |
121 | Roman Reigns | 1 | November 22, 2015 | <1 | Atlanta, GA | Survivor Series | Defeated Dean Ambrose in a tournament final to win the vacant title. | [160] |
122 | Sheamus | 3 | 22 | Sheamus cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. | [161] | |||
123 | Roman Reigns | 2 | December 14, 2015 | 41 | Philadelphia, PA | Raw | This was a title vs. career match. | [162] |
124 | Triple H | 9 | January 24, 2016 | 70 | Orlando, FL | Royal Rumble | This was the Royal Rumble match, in which Triple H last eliminated Dean Ambrose. | [163] |
125 | Roman Reigns | 3 | April 3, 2016 | 34+ | Arlington, TX | WrestleMania 32 | [164] |
Combined reigns


As of May 7, 2016.
† | Indicates the current champion |
---|
Rank | Wrestler | No. of reigns |
Combined days |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Sammartino, BrunoBruno Sammartino | 2 | 4,040 |
2 | Hogan, HulkHulk Hogan | 6 | 2,185 |
3 | Backlund, BobBob Backlund | 2 | 2,138 |
4 | Cena, JohnJohn Cena | 12 | 1,240 |
5 | Morales, PedroPedro Morales | 1 | 1,027 |
6 | Hart, BretBret Hart | 5 | 654 |
7 | Triple H | 9 | 609 |
Orton, RandyRandy Orton | 8 | 609 | |
9 | Lesnar, BrockBrock Lesnar | 4 | 579 |
10 | Austin, Stone Cold SteveStone Cold Steve Austin | 6 | 529 |
11 | Savage, RandyRandy Savage | 2 | 520 |
12 | CM Punk | 2 | 462 |
13 | Michaels, ShawnShawn Michaels | 3 | 396 |
14 | The Rock | 8 | 367 |
15 | Diesel | 1 | 358 |
16 | Angle, KurtKurt Angle | 4 | 297 |
17 | Graham, Superstar BillySuperstar Billy Graham | 1 | 296 |
18 | The Ultimate Warrior | 1 | 293 |
19 | Yokozuna | 2 | 280 |
John "Bradshaw" Layfield | 1 | 280 | |
21 | The Undertaker | 4 | 238 |
22 | Rollins, SethSeth Rollins | 1 | 220 |
23 | Sheamus | 3 | 183 |
24 | The Miz | 1 | 160 |
25 | Edge | 4 | 139 |
26 | Guerrero, EddieEddie Guerrero | 1 | 133 |
27 | Flair, RicRic Flair | 2 | 118 |
28 | Jericho, ChrisChris Jericho | 1 | 98 |
29 | Sycho Sid | 2 | 97 |
30 | Del Rio, AlbertoAlberto Del Rio | 2 | 84 |
31 | Big Show | 2 | 78 |
32 | Reigns, RomanRoman Reigns † | 3 | 75+ |
33 | Bryan, DanielDaniel Bryan | 3 | 65 |
34 | Sgt. Slaughter | 1 | 64 |
35 | Mankind | 3 | 47 |
36 | Hardy, JeffJeff Hardy | 1 | 42 |
37 | Batista | 2 | 37 |
38 | The Iron Sheik | 1 | 28 |
39 | Buddy Rogers | 1 | 22 |
Van Dam, RobRob Van Dam | 1 | 22 | |
41 | Koloff, IvanIvan Koloff | 1 | 21 |
42 | Stasiak, StanStan Stasiak | 1 | 9 |
43 | Mr. McMahon | 1 | 6 |
44 | Kane | 1 | 1 |
45 | Mysterio, ReyRey Mysterio | 1 | <1 |
André the Giant | 1 | <1 | |
See also
- List of World Heavyweight Champions (WWE)
- List of WWE Intercontinental Champions
- List of WWE United States Champions
- List of WWE Tag Team Champions
- List of WWE Women's Champions (2016-present)
- NXT Championship
- List of current champions in WWE
References
- ↑ "WWE Entertainment, Inc. Acquires WCW from Turner Broadcasting". WWE. 2001-03-21. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
- 1 2 "Chris Jericho Becomes First Undisputed Champion of Professional Wrestling". WWE. 2001-12-09. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
- 1 2 3 4 "World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Drops The "F" To Emphasize the "E" for Entertainment". WWE. 2002-05-06. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
- ↑ "WWE Entertainment To Make RAW and SmackDown Distinct Television Brands". WWE. 2002-03-27. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
- ↑ "WWE Championship History". WrestleView. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
- ↑ "Retired Championships". WWE. Retrieved 2015-11-22.
- ↑ "WWE Championship Title History". WWE. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
- ↑ "Undertaker vs. Hulk Hogan for the WWE Championship". WWE. May 19, 2002. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
- 1 2 Nemer, Paul (2002-09-02). "Full WWE Raw Results – 9/2/02". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "Buddy Rogers's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ "Bruno Sammartino's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ "Ivan Koloff's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
- ↑ "Pedro Morales's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ "Stan Stasiak's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ "Bruno Sammartino's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ "Billy Graham's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ "Bob Backlund's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ "Bob Backlund bio". WWE. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
- ↑ "WWE Championship Title History".
- 1 2 3 "WWWF/WWF/WWE Heavyweight Title History". The History of the WWE. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
- ↑ "The Iron Sheik's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ "Hulk Hogan's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- 1 2 "Andre the Giant's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Randy Savage's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Hulk Hogan's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "The Ultimate Warrior's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Sgt. Slaughter's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Hulk Hogan's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "The Undertaker's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- 1 2 "Hulk Hogan's fourth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Ric Flair's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Randy Savage's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Ric Flair's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Bret Hart's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Yokozuna's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Hulk Hogan's fifth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Yokozuna's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Bret Hart's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Bob Backlund's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Diesel's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Bret Hart's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- ↑ "Shawn Michaels's reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
- ↑ "Sycho Sid's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
- 1 2 "Shawn Michaels's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
- ↑ "Bret Hart's fourth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
- ↑ "Sycho Sid's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
- ↑ "The Undertaker's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
- ↑ "Bret Hart's fifth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
- ↑ "Shawn Michaels's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
- ↑ "Steve Austin's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Kane's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- 1 2 "Steve Austin's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday1998/mainevent/
- ↑ "The Rock's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Mankind's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "The Rock's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Mankind's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "The Rock's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Steve Austin's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "The Undertaker's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Steve Austin's fourth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Mankind's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Triple H's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- 1 2 "Mr. McMahon's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Triple H's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "The Big Show's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Triple H's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "The Rock's fourth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "WWE Championship - The Rock". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "The Rock's fifth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Kurt Angle's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "The Rock's sixth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Steve Austin's fifth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Kurt Angle's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Steve Austin's sixth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Chris Jericho's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Triple H's fifth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Hulk Hogan's sixth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "The Undertaker's fourth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "The Rock's seventh reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Brock Lesnar's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "The Big Show's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Kurt Angle's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Brock Lesnar's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Kurt Angle's fourth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Brock Lesnar's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ "Eddie Guerrero's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ↑ Roopansingh, Jaya (2004-02-16). "Guerrero crowned at No Way Out". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "John "Bradshaw" Layfield's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ Martin, Adam (2004-06-27). "WWE Great American Bash (SmackDown) PPV Results – 6/27/04". WrestleView. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "John Cena's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ Martin, Adam (2005-04-03). "WWE WrestleMania 21 PPV Results – 4/3/05 – Los Angeles, CA". WrestleView. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "Edge's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ Sokol, Chris (2006-01-09). "Edge surprise champ after Revolution". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "John Cena's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ Martin, Adam (2006-01-29). "Royal Rumble (RAW/SmackDown) PPV Results – 1/29/06 – Miami, FL". WrestleView. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "Rob Van Dam's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ Martin, Adam (2006-06-11). "ECW One Night Stand PPV Results – 6/11/06". WrestleView. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "Edge's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ↑ Plummer, Dave. "Raw: Edge wins WWE title". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "John Cena's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
- ↑ "Mr. McMahon vacates Cena's WWE Championship". WWE. 2007-10-02. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
- ↑ "Randy Orton's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
- 1 2 3 "WWE title magic at No Mercy". The Sun. 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "Triple H's sixth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
- ↑ "Randy Orton's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
- ↑ "Triple H's seventh reign". WWE. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
- ↑ Hillhouse, Dave. "HHH reigns again after Backlash". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "Edge's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ↑ "Your new WWE champions...". The Sun. 2008-11-25. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "Jeff Hardy's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
- ↑ Keller, Wade (2008-12-14). "Keller's WWE Armageddon PPV report 12/14: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live event – John Cena vs. Chris Jericho". PWTorch. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "Edge's fourth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ↑ Martin, Adam (2009-01-25). "Royal Rumble PPV Results – 1/25/09". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
- ↑ "Triple H's eighth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
- ↑ Martin, Adam (2009-02-15). "WWE No Way Out Results – 2/15/09". WrestleView. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
- ↑ "Orton's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
- ↑ Martin, Adam (2009-04-26). "Backlash PPV Results – 4/26/09". WrestleView. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
- ↑ "Batista's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
- ↑ Martin, Adam (2009-06-07). "Extreme Rules PPV Results – 6/7/09". WrestleView. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
- ↑ "Wounded Animal". WWE. 2009-06-09. Archived from the original on June 12, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
- ↑ "Orton's fourth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
- ↑ Golden, Hunter (2009-06-16). "Raw Results – 6/15/09". WrestleView. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
- ↑ "Cena's fourth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
- ↑ Martin, Adam (2009-09-13). "Breaking Point PPV Results – 9/13/09". WrestleView. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
- ↑ "Orton's fifth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
- ↑ Martin, Adam (2009-10-04). "Hell in a Cell PPV Results – 10/4/09". WrestleView. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
- ↑ "Cena's fifth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
- ↑ Martin, Adam (2009-10-25). "Bragging Rights Results – 10/25/09". WrestleView. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
- ↑ "Sheamus' first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
- ↑ Martin, Adam (2011-01-04). "WWE TLC PPV Results – 12/13/09". Wrestle View. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
- ↑ "Cena's sixth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ↑ "Batista's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ↑ "John Cena's seventh reign". WWE. Retrieved 2010-03-28.
- ↑ "Sheamus' second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2010-09-20.
- ↑ "Randy Orton's sixth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2010-09-20.
- ↑ "The Miz's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
- ↑ "John Cena's eighth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
- ↑ "CM Punk's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
- ↑ "Rey Mysterio's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
- ↑ "John Cena's ninth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ↑ Woartman, James. "CM Punk def. John Cena; Alberto Del Rio cashed in Raw Money in the Bank briefcase (New Undisputed WWE Champion)". WWE. Retrieved 2011-08-14.
- ↑ "Alberto Del Rio's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2011-08-15.
- ↑ "John Cena's tenth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
- ↑ "Alberto Del Rio's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
- ↑ "CM Punk's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ↑ "The Rock's eighth reign". WWE. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
- ↑ "John Cena's eleventh reign". WWE. Retrieved 2013-04-08.
- ↑ "Daniel Bryan's first reign". WWE. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
- ↑ "Randy Orton's seventh reign". WWE. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
- ↑ "Daniel Bryan's second reign". WWE. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
- ↑ Benigno, Anthony. "WWE COO Triple H stripped Daniel Bryan of the WWE Championship". Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- ↑ "Randy Orton's eighth reign". WWE. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
- ↑ "Daniel Bryan's third reign". WWE. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
- ↑ "Stephanie McMahon strips Daniel Bryan of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship". WWE. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
- ↑ "John Cena's twelfth reign". WWE. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
- ↑ "Brock Lesnar's fourth reign". WWE. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Seth Rollins' first reign". WWE. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
- ↑ "Seth Rollins suffers knee injury, new WWE World Heavyweight Champion to be crowned at Survivor Series". WWE. November 5, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ↑ "Roman Reigns' first reign". WWE. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Sheamus' third reign". WWE. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Roman Reigns' second reign". WWE. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- ↑ "Triple H's ninth reign". WWE. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ↑ Caldwell, James. "4/3 WrestleMania 32 PPV Results – CALDWELL’S Complete Live Report on Main PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
External links
- Official WWE World Heavyweight Championship Title History
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship history at Wrestling Titles.com
|