List of WWE Champions

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John Cena with the WWE Championship
John Cena with the WWE Championship

This is a chronological list of wrestlers that have been WWE Champion by ring name. The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling title. First established in 1963, it has since been held by some of the biggest names in the business.[1] Currently, it is recognized as the highest ranked championship on the RAW brand of World Wrestling Entertainment and one of three main "World Championships" in WWE. There have been a total of 33 recognized champions who have had a combined 81 official reigns.

The championship has been known as:[2]

  • WWWF World Heavyweight Championship (1963 – 1971)
  • WWF Heavyweight Championship (1971 – 1983)
  • WWF World Heavyweight Championship (1983 – 2001)
  • WWF/WWE "Undisputed" Championship (December 2001 – August 2002)
  • WWE Championship (2002 – Present)

Contents

[edit] Title history

† indicates reigns and title changes not recognized by WWE.
Wrestler Times Date Location Notes:
Buddy Rogers 1 April 29, 1963[1] Washington, D.C. Rogers was awarded the title with the explanation that he defeated Antonino Rocca in the finals of a tournament in March 1963 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to become the first WWWF World Heavyweight Champion.[3]
Bruno Sammartino 1 May 17, 1963 New York, NY Held title for eight years, a record for professional wrestling world champions.[4]
Ivan Koloff 1 January 18, 1971 New York, NY [5]
Pedro Morales 1 February 8, 1971 New York, NY The championship loses World status when the WWWF rejoins the NWA in 1971. The title was renamed the WWWF Heavyweight Championship.[6]
Stan Stasiak 1 December 1, 1973 Philadelphia, PA [7]
Bruno Sammartino 2 December 10, 1973 New York, NY First wrestler to repeat as champion.[8]
Billy Graham 1 April 30, 1977 Baltimore, MD [9]
Bob Backlund 1 February 20, 1978 New York, NY The title was renamed the WWF Heavyweight Championship when the World Wide Wrestling Federation became the World Wrestling Federation in March 1979.[10]
Antonio Inoki 1† November 30, 1979 Tokushima, Japan Backlund pinned Inoki in a rematch in Tokyo, Japan on December 6, 1979, but WWF president Hisashi Shinma declared the match a no-contest because of the interference of Tiger Jeet Singh.[2]
Vacated† December 6, 1979 Tokyo, Japan Antonio Inoki refused the championship following Shinma's decision, and the title was declared vacant.[2]
Bob Backlund 1(2)† December 12, 1979 New York, NY Defeated Bobby Duncum in a Texas Death match to win the vacant title.[2]
Held up† October 19, 1981 New York, NY Title held up after a match against Greg Valentine in which the referee gave the title to Valentine after Backlund pinned him.[2]
Bob Backlund 1(3)† November 23, 1981 New York, NY Defeated Valentine in a rematch to win the held up title. According to the official WWE Championship history, Backlund's reign lasted from February 20, 1978 to December 26, 1983 and was never interrupted. Title re-named WWF World Heavyweight Championship in 1983 after WWF withdraws from the NWA.[2]
The Iron Sheik 1 December 26, 1983 New York, NY Backlund's manager Arnold Skaaland threw in the towel while Backlund was in the Sheik's Camel clutch.[11]
Hulk Hogan 1 January 23, 1984 New York, NY [12]
André the Giant 1 February 5, 1988 Indianapolis, IN Won the title at Main Event I. Immediately after winning the title from Hogan, André surrendered the title to Ted DiBiase. The title was immediately declared vacant.[13]
Vacated February 5, 1988 After Andre surrendered the title to Ted DiBiase, the title was declared vacant by WWF President Jack Tunney and put up for grabs in a fourteen man tournament at WrestleMania IV.[13]
Randy Savage 1 March 27, 1988 Atlantic City, NJ Defeated three wrestlers in a tournament and Ted DiBiase in the final to win the vacant title, also the first time there was a new champion at a WrestleMania.[14]
Hulk Hogan 2 April 2, 1989 Atlantic City, NJ Won title at WrestleMania V.[15]
The Ultimate Warrior 1 April 1, 1990 Toronto, ON Won title at WrestleMania VI, the Intercontinental Title was also on the line.[16]
Sgt. Slaughter 1 January 19, 1991 Miami, FL Won title at the Royal Rumble.[17]
Hulk Hogan 3 March 24, 1991 Los Angeles, CA Won title at Wrestlemania VII, first ever three time champion.[18]
The Undertaker 1 November 27, 1991 Detroit, MI Won title at Survivor Series 1991.[19]
Hulk Hogan 4 December 3, 1991 San Antonio, TX Won title at Tuesday in Texas.[20]
Vacated December 4, 1991 Hogan was stripped of the title by WWF President Jack Tunney due to the controversy surrounding both of the previous title changes. Tunney, in an announcement airing on the December 7 edition of WWF Superstars, declared the title would go to the winner of the following month's Royal Rumble match.[20]
Ric Flair 1 January 19, 1992 Albany, NY Last eliminated Sid Justice in the Royal Rumble match to win the vacant title.[21]
Randy Savage 2 April 5, 1992 Indianapolis, IN Won title at WrestleMania VIII.[22]
Ric Flair 2 September 1, 1992 Hershey, PA [23]
Bret Hart 1 October 12, 1992 Saskatoon, SK Won title at an untelevised house show.[24]
Yokozuna 1 April 4, 1993 Las Vegas, NV Won title at WrestleMania IX.[25]
Hulk Hogan 5 April 4, 1993 Las Vegas, NV Immediately after Yokozuna's victory at WrestleMania IX, Hogan challenged for the title and won after Mr. Fuji accidentally threw salt in Yokozuna's eyes.[26]
Yokozuna 2 June 13, 1993 Dayton, OH Won title at King of the Ring 1993.[27]
Bret Hart 2 March 20, 1994 New York, NY Won title at WrestleMania X.[28]
Bob Backlund 2(4) November 23, 1994 San Antonio, TX This was a "Throw in the Towel" match at Survivor Series. Upon being urgently asked by Owen Hart, Helen Hart threw in the towel while Bret was in Backlund's crossface chickenwing, giving Backlund the victory.[29]
Diesel 1 November 26, 1994 New York, NY Diesel defeated Backlund at an untelevised house show in a record eight seconds.[30]
Bret Hart 3 November 19, 1995 Landover, MD This was a no-disqualification match at Survivor Series.[31]
Shawn Michaels 1 March 31, 1996 Anaheim, CA This was a 60-minute Iron Man match at WrestleMania XII. After a 0-0 tie after 60 minutes, Michaels pinned Hart in sudden death overtime after one minute and 52 seconds to win.[32]
Sycho Sid 1 November 17, 1996 New York, NY Won title at Survivor Series 1996.[33]
Shawn Michaels 2 January 19, 1997 San Antonio, TX Won title at Royal Rumble 1997.[34]
Vacated February 13, 1997 Lowell, MA Michaels forfeited the title due to a knee injury.[34]
Bret Hart 4 February 16, 1997 Chattanooga, TN This was a Fatal Four-Way match also involving Steve Austin, The Undertaker and Vader, held at In Your House: Final Four.[35]
Sycho Sid 2 February 17, 1997 Nashville, TN First wrestler to win title on Monday Night RAW.[36]
The Undertaker 2 March 23, 1997 Rosemont, IL Won title at WrestleMania 13.[37]
Bret Hart 5 August 3, 1997 East Rutherford, NJ Won title at SummerSlam 1997 with Shawn Michaels as the guest referee.[38]
Shawn Michaels 3 November 9, 1997 Montreal, QC Won title at Survivor Series in the Montreal Screwjob.[39]
Steve Austin 1 March 29, 1998 Boston, MA Won title at WrestleMania XIV, marked beginning of "Attitude Era".[40]
Kane 1 June 28, 1998 Pittsburgh, PA This was a first blood match at King of the Ring.[41]
Steve Austin 2 June 29, 1998 Cleveland, OH Won title on Monday Night RAW.[42]
Vacated September 28, 1998 Detroit, MI The title was declared vacant after The Undertaker and Kane simultaneously pinned Austin in a Triple Threat match the previous night in Hamilton, ON.[42]
The Rock 1 November 15, 1998 St. Louis, MO Defeated Mankind in a Tournament final at Survivor Series to win the vacant title.[43]
Mankind 1 December 29, 1998[2] Worcester, MA Match aired January 4, 1999 on Monday Night RAW.[44]
The Rock 2 January 24, 1999 Anaheim, CA This was an "I Quit" match at the Royal Rumble.[45]
Mankind 2 January 26, 1999 Tucson, AZ This was an empty arena match that aired as a special named Halftime Heat during halftime of Super Bowl XXXIII.[46]
The Rock 3 February 15, 1999 Birmingham, AL This was a ladder match.[47]
Steve Austin 3 March 28, 1999 Philadelphia, PA Won title at WrestleMania XV.[48]
The Undertaker 3 May 23, 1999 Kansas City, MO Won title at Over the Edge with Shane McMahon as special guest referee.[49]
Steve Austin 4 June 28, 1999 Charlotte, NC Won title on Monday Night RAW.[50]
Mankind 3 August 22, 1999 Minneapolis, MN Pinned Steve Austin during a Triple Threat match also involving Triple H with Jesse Ventura as special guest referee at SummerSlam.[51]
Triple H 1 August 23, 1999 Ames, IA Won title on Monday Night RAW with Shane McMahon as special guest referee.[52]
Vince McMahon 1 September 14, 1999 Las Vegas, NV Vacated title on September 20.[53]
Vacated September 20, 1999 Houston, TX McMahon vacated the title and declared it be put on the line in a Six Pack Challenge match at Unforgiven.[53]
Triple H 2 September 26, 1999 Charlotte, NC Pinned The Rock in a Six-Pack Challenge match at Unforgiven that also included Mankind, The Big Show, The British Bulldog and Kane to win the vacant title.[54]
The Big Show 1 November 14, 1999 Detroit, MI Pinned Triple H in a Triple Threat match at Survivor Series that also included The Rock.[55]
Triple H 3 January 3, 2000 Miami, FL Chris Jericho defeated Triple H on April 17, 2000 in State College, PA to win the title, but the decision was reversed and the title returned to Triple H 18 minutes later.[2][56]
The Rock 4 April 30, 2000 Washington, D.C. Following interference by Vince McMahon, Steve Austin returned to the WWE after several months and came to the aid of The Rock, who later pinned Triple H at Backlash after a spinebuster and The People's Elbow.[57]
Triple H 4 May 21, 2000 Louisville, KY Won a 60-minute Iron Man match 6-5. Special Referee Shawn Michaels awarded him the last fall by disqualification after The Undertaker interfered in favor of The Rock.[58]
The Rock 5 June 25, 2000 Boston, MA Defeated Triple H in a six-man tag team match with The Rock, The Undertaker and Kane vs. Triple H, Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon in which if Triple H or one of the McMahons were pinned, the winner would win the title.[59]

Chris Benoit defeated The Rock on July 23, 2000 in Dallas, TX, due to a stipulation where if the Rock was disqualified, the title would change hands. During the match, The Rock was disqualified, therefore, the title was awarded to Chris Benoit. However, WWF Commissioner Mick Foley restarted the match and Rock won the restart.[2]

Similarly, on September 24, 2000 in Greensboro, NC, Benoit won a Fatal Four-Way match against The Rock, Kane and The Undertaker. Yet as Benoit was leaving the ring, Commissioner Foley came down and restarted the match and Rock won the restart.[2]
Kurt Angle 1 October 22, 2000 Albany, NY Won title at No Mercy.[60]
The Rock 6 February 25, 2001 Las Vegas, NV Record setting sixth reign, won title at No Way Out.[61]
Steve Austin 5 April 1, 2001 Houston, TX Won title at WrestleMania X-Seven after siding with Vince McMahon.[62]
Kurt Angle 2 September 23, 2001 Pittsburgh, PA Won title at Unforgiven.[63]
Steve Austin 6 October 8, 2001 Indianapolis, IN Won title on Monday Night RAW.[64]
Chris Jericho 1 December 9, 2001 San Diego, CA Jericho won a four man one night tournament consisting of himself, The Rock, Steve Austin and Kurt Angle to unify the World Championship, with the WWF Championship at Vengeance. Austin defeated Angle to advance to the finals while Jericho defeated The Rock and subsequently defeated Austin in the finals. The unified title was named the WWF Undisputed Championship.[65]
Triple H 5 March 17, 2002 Toronto, ON Won title at WrestleMania X8 and was the last WWF Champion before the brand extension was established.[66]
Hulk Hogan 6 April 21, 2002 Kansas City, MO Hogan won the title at Backlash.[67] The title was renamed the WWE Undisputed Championship on May 6 after World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. settles a lawsuit with the World Wild Fund for Nature, and drops "Federation" from all references in the company.[2]
The Undertaker 4 May 19, 2002 Nashville, TN Won title at Judgement Day.[68]
The Rock 7 July 21, 2002 Detroit, MI Defeated The Undertaker in a Triple Threat match at Vengeance that also involved Kurt Angle. Marks his record setting seventh reign.[69]
Brock Lesnar 1 August 25, 2002 Uniondale, NY Won title at Summerslam. The title was renamed the WWE Championship on September 3, 2002 in Uncasville, CT after Lesnar becomes a SmackDown!-exclusive superstar and Eric Bischoff created the World Heavyweight Championship and awarded it to Triple H.[70]
The Big Show 2 November 17, 2002 New York, NY Won title at Survivor Series.[71]
Kurt Angle 3 December 15, 2002 Sunrise, FL Won title at Armageddon.[72]
Brock Lesnar 2 March 30, 2003 Seattle, WA Won title at WrestleMania XIX.[73]
Kurt Angle 4 July 27, 2003 Denver, CO Defeated Lesnar in a Triple Threat match at Vengeance that also involved The Big Show.[74]
Brock Lesnar 3 September 16, 2003 Raleigh, NC This was a 60-minute Iron Man match that happened on Smackdown.[75]
Eddie Guerrero 1 February 15, 2004 San Francisco, CA Won title at No Way Out.[76]
John "Bradshaw" Layfield 1 June 27, 2004 Norfolk, VA This was a Texas Bullrope match that occurred at the Great American Bash.[77]
John Cena 1 April 3, 2005 Los Angeles, CA Won title at WrestleMania 21, the title became RAW-exclusive on June 6, 2005 in St. Louis, MO when Cena moves to RAW as the first pick in the 2005 Draft Lottery.[78]
Edge 1 January 8, 2006 Albany, NY Cashed in his "Money in the Bank" contract from WrestleMania 21 after Cena won an Elimination Chamber match at New Year's Revolution just minutes earlier.[79]
John Cena 2 January 29, 2006 Miami, FL Won title at the Royal Rumble.[80]
Rob Van Dam 1 June 11, 2006 New York, NY Cashed in his "Money in the Bank" contract from WrestleMania 22. This was an Extreme Rules match at ECW One Night Stand.[81]
Edge 2 July 3, 2006 Philadelphia, PA Defeated Rob Van Dam in a Triple Threat match on Raw that also involved John Cena.[82]
John Cena 3 September 17, 2006 Toronto, ON This was a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match at Unforgiven.[83]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b History of the WWE Championship. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k WWE World Heavyweight Title. Wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved on March 18, 2007.
  3. ^ Buddy Rogers's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  4. ^ Bruno Sammartino's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  5. ^ Ivan Koloff's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  6. ^ Pedro Morales's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  7. ^ Stan Stasiak's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  8. ^ Bruno Sammartino's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  9. ^ Billy Graham's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  10. ^ Bob Backlund's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  11. ^ The Iron Sheik's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  12. ^ Hulk Hogan's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  13. ^ a b Andre the Giant's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  14. ^ Randy Savage's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  15. ^ Hulk Hogan's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  16. ^ The Ultimate Warrior's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  17. ^ Sgt. Slaughter's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  18. ^ Hulk Hogan's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  19. ^ The Undertaker's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  20. ^ a b Hulk Hogan's fourth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  21. ^ Ric Flair's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  22. ^ Randy Savage's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  23. ^ Ric Flair's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  24. ^ Bret Hart's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  25. ^ Yokozuna's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  26. ^ Hulk Hogan's fifth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  27. ^ Yokozuna's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  28. ^ Bret Hart's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  29. ^ Bob Backlund's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  30. ^ Diesel's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  31. ^ Bret Hart's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 20, 2007.
  32. ^ Shawn Michaels's reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 21, 2007.
  33. ^ Sycho Sid's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 21, 2007.
  34. ^ a b Shawn Michaels's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 21, 2007.
  35. ^ Bret Hart's fourth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 21, 2007.
  36. ^ Sycho Sid's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 21, 2007.
  37. ^ The Undertaker's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 21, 2007.
  38. ^ Bret Hart's fifth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 21, 2007.
  39. ^ Shawn Michaels's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 21, 2007.
  40. ^ Steve Austin's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  41. ^ Kane's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  42. ^ a b Steve Austin's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  43. ^ The Rock's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  44. ^ Mankind's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  45. ^ The Rock's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  46. ^ Mankind's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  47. ^ The Rock's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  48. ^ Steve Austin's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  49. ^ The Undertaker's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  50. ^ Steve Austin's fourth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  51. ^ Mankind's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  52. ^ Triple H's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  53. ^ a b Vince McMahon's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  54. ^ Triple H's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  55. ^ The Big Show's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  56. ^ Triple H's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  57. ^ The Rock's fourth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  58. ^ Triple H's fourth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  59. ^ The Rock's fifth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  60. ^ Kurt Angle's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  61. ^ The Rock's sixth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  62. ^ Steve Austin's fifth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  63. ^ Kurt Angle's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  64. ^ Steve Austin's sixth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  65. ^ Chris Jericho's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  66. ^ Triple H's fifth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  67. ^ Hulk Hogan's sixth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  68. ^ The Undertaker's fourth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  69. ^ The Rock's seventh reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  70. ^ Brock Lesnar's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  71. ^ The Big Show's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  72. ^ Kurt Angle's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  73. ^ Brock Lesnar's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  74. ^ Kurt Angle's fourth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  75. ^ Brock Lesnar's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  76. ^ Eddie Guerrero's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
  77. ^ John Bradshaw Layfield's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  78. ^ John Cena's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  79. ^ Edge's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  80. ^ John Cena's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  81. ^ Rob Van Dam's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  82. ^ Edge's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
  83. ^ John Cena's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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