List of WWE Champions

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Triple H, the current WWE Champion is in his seventh reign.
Triple H, the current WWE Champion is in his seventh reign.

This is a chronological list of wrestlers that have been WWE Champion by ring name. The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. It is the original world title of WWE. Currently, it is the highest ranked championship on the RAW brand.[1] There have been a total of 36 recognized champions who have had a combined 85 official reigns.[1]

The championship has been known as:[2]

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] Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 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 was referred to as the WWWF Heavyweight Championship when WWWF rejoined the NWA in 1971.[6]
Stan Stasiak 1 December 1, 1973 Philadelphia, PA [7]
Bruno Sammartino 2 December 10, 1973 New York, NY First to have held the title twice.[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 [2]
Vacated† December 6, 1979 Tokyo, Japan Vacated when Backlund pins Inoki, but WWF president Hisashi Shinma declares the match a no contest due to interference by Tiger Jeet Singh. 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.[2]
Held up† October 19, 1981 New York, NY Title held up after a match against Greg Valentine in which the referee gave him the title 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 championship history, Backlund's reign lasted from February 20, 1978 to December 26, 1983 and was never interrupted.[11] The title was referred to as the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in 1983 after the WWF withdrew from the NWA.[2]
The Iron Sheik 1 December 26, 1983 New York, NY [12]
Hulk Hogan 1 January 23, 1984 New York, NY [13]
André the Giant 1 February 5, 1988 Indianapolis, IN Won the title at The Main Event I.[14]
Vacated February 5, 1988 Indianapolis, IN Immediately after winning the title from Hogan, André surrendered the title to Ted DiBiase; President Jack Tunney nullified this decision, and vacated the title.[14]
Randy Savage 1 March 27, 1988 Atlantic City, NJ Defeated Ted DiBiase in a tournament final at WrestleMania IV.[15]
Hulk Hogan 2 April 2, 1989 Atlantic City, NJ Won the title at WrestleMania V.[16]
The Ultimate Warrior 1 April 1, 1990 Toronto, ON This match, at WrestleMania VI, was also for Warrior's WWF Intercontinental Championship.[17]
Sgt. Slaughter 1 January 19, 1991 Miami, FL Won the title at Royal Rumble.[18]
Hulk Hogan 3 March 24, 1991 Los Angeles, CA Won the title at WrestleMania VII.[19]
The Undertaker 1 November 27, 1991 Detroit, MI Won the title at Survivor Series 1991.[20]
Hulk Hogan 4 December 3, 1991 San Antonio, TX Won the title at Tuesday in Texas.[21]
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. This aired December 7, 1991 on Superstars.[21]
Ric Flair 1 January 19, 1992 Albany, NY Won the Royal Rumble match.[22]
Randy Savage 2 April 5, 1992 Indianapolis, IN Won the title at WrestleMania VIII.[23]
Ric Flair 2 September 1, 1992 Hershey, PA [24]
Bret Hart 1 October 12, 1992 Saskatoon, SK Won the title in a dark match at a TV taping.[25][26]
Yokozuna 1 April 4, 1993 Las Vegas, NV Won the title at WrestleMania IX.[27]
Hulk Hogan 5 April 4, 1993 Las Vegas, NV Won the title at WrestleMania IX.[28]
Yokozuna 2 June 13, 1993 Dayton, OH Won the title at King of the Ring.[29]
Bret Hart 2 March 20, 1994 New York, NY Won the title at WrestleMania X.[30]
Bob Backlund 2(4) November 23, 1994 San Antonio, TX This was a "Throw in the Towel" match at Survivor Series.[31]
Diesel 1 November 26, 1994 New York, NY Won the title at a house show.[32]
Bret Hart 3 November 19, 1995 Landover, MD This was a no-disqualification match at Survivor Series.[33]
Shawn Michaels 1 March 31, 1996 Anaheim, CA This was a 60-minute Iron Man match at WrestleMania XII, which Michaels won in overtime after a 0-0 draw.[34]
Sycho Sid 1 November 17, 1996 New York, NY Won the title at Survivor Series.[35]
Shawn Michaels 2 January 19, 1997 San Antonio, TX Won the title at Royal Rumble.[36]
Vacated February 13, 1997 Lowell, MA Michaels forfeited the title due to a knee injury.[36]
Bret Hart 4 February 16, 1997 Chattanooga, TN This was a four-way elimination match also involving Steve Austin, The Undertaker and Vader, held at In Your House: Final Four.[37]
Sycho Sid 2 February 17, 1997 Nashville, TN Won the title on RAW.[38]
The Undertaker 2 March 23, 1997 Rosemont, IL Won the title at WrestleMania 13.[39]
Bret Hart 5 August 3, 1997 East Rutherford, NJ Won the title at SummerSlam with Shawn Michaels as the guest referee.[40]
Shawn Michaels 3 November 9, 1997 Montreal, QC Won the title at Survivor Series in the Montreal Screwjob.[41]
Steve Austin 1 March 29, 1998 Boston, MA Won the title at WrestleMania XIV.[42]
Kane 1 June 28, 1998 Pittsburgh, PA This was a first blood match at King of the Ring.[43]
Steve Austin 2 June 29, 1998 Cleveland, OH Won the title on RAW is WAR.[44]
Vacated September 28, 1998 Detroit, MI Vacated on RAW is WAR after Kane and The Undertaker simultaneously pinned Austin in a triple threat match the previous night at Breakdown in Hamilton, ON.[44]
The Rock 1 November 15, 1998 St. Louis, MO Defeated Mankind in a tournament final at Survivor Series.[45]
Mankind 1 December 29, 1998[2] Worcester, MA Aired January 4, 1999 on RAW is WAR.[46]
The Rock 2 January 24, 1999 Anaheim, CA This was an "I Quit" match at Royal Rumble.[47]
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 on January 31, 1999.[48]
The Rock 3 February 15, 1999 Birmingham, AL This was a ladder match on RAW is WAR.[49]
Steve Austin 3 March 28, 1999 Philadelphia, PA Won the title at WrestleMania XV.[50]
The Undertaker 3 May 23, 1999 Kansas City, MO Won the title at Over the Edge with Shane McMahon as special guest referee.[51]
Steve Austin 4 June 28, 1999 Charlotte, NC Won the title on RAW is WAR.[52]
Mankind 3 August 22, 1999 Minneapolis, MN This was a triple threat match also involving Triple H at SummerSlam, with Jesse Ventura as guest referee.[53]
Triple H 1 August 23, 1999 Ames, IA Won the title on RAW is WAR with Shane McMahon as special guest referee.[54]
Vince McMahon 1 September 14, 1999 Las Vegas, NV Aired September 16, 1999 on SmackDown! with Shane McMahon as special guest referee.[55]
Vacated September 20, 1999 Houston, TX McMahon vacated the title on RAW is WAR.[55]
Triple H 2 September 26, 1999 Charlotte, NC This was a Six-Pack Challenge match at Unforgiven, also involving The Rock, Mankind, Big Show, The British Bulldog and Kane.[56]
The Big Show 1 November 14, 1999 Detroit, MI This was a triple threat match at Survivor Series, also involving The Rock.[57]
Triple H 3 January 3, 2000 Miami, FL Won the title on RAW is WAR. 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][58]
The Rock 4 April 30, 2000 Washington, D.C. Won the title at Backlash.[59]
Triple H 4 May 21, 2000 Louisville, KY This was a 60-minute Iron Man match at Judgment Day, which Triple H won 6-5 with Shawn Michaels as the guest referee.[60]
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 anyone to pin Triple H or one of the McMahons would win the title.[61]
Kurt Angle 1 October 22, 2000 Albany, NY Won the title at No Mercy.[62]
The Rock 6 February 25, 2001 Las Vegas, NV Won the title at No Way Out.[63]
Steve Austin 5 April 1, 2001 Houston, TX Won the title at WrestleMania X-Seven.[64]
Kurt Angle 2 September 23, 2001 Pittsburgh, PA Won the title at Unforgiven.[65]
Steve Austin 6 October 8, 2001 Indianapolis, IN Won the title on RAW.[66]
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.[67]
Triple H 5 March 17, 2002 Toronto, ON Won the title at WrestleMania X8.[68]
Hulk Hogan 6 April 21, 2002 Kansas City, MO Won the title at Backlash.[69] The title was renamed the WWE Undisputed Championship on May 6, 2002 after World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. settled a lawsuit with the World Wide Fund for Nature, and became simply World Wrestling Entertainment.[2]
The Undertaker 4 May 19, 2002 Nashville, TN Won the title at Judgment Day.[70]
The Rock 7 July 21, 2002 Detroit, MI This was a triple threat match at Vengeance, also involving Kurt Angle.[71]
Brock Lesnar 1 August 25, 2002 Uniondale, NY Won the title at SummerSlam. "Undisputed" was removed from the title's name after it became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand on September 2, 2002, which resulted in the creation of the World Heavyweight Championship for the RAW brand.[72]
The Big Show 2 November 17, 2002 New York, NY Won the title at Survivor Series.[73]
Kurt Angle 3 December 15, 2002 Sunrise, FL Won the title at Armageddon.[74]
Brock Lesnar 2 March 30, 2003 Seattle, WA Won the title at WrestleMania XIX.[75]
Kurt Angle 4 July 27, 2003 Denver, CO This was a triple threat match at Vengeance, also involving The Big Show.[76]
Brock Lesnar 3 September 16, 2003 Raleigh, NC This was a 60-minute Iron Man match, aired September 18, 2003 on SmackDown!.[77]
Eddie Guerrero 1 February 15, 2004 San Francisco, CA Won the title at No Way Out.[78]
John "Bradshaw" Layfield 1 June 27, 2004 Norfolk, VA This was a Texas Bullrope match at the Great American Bash.[79]
John Cena 1 April 3, 2005 Los Angeles, CA Won the title at WrestleMania 21; the title became RAW-exclusive on June 6, 2005 in St. Louis, MO when Cena was drafted to RAW as the first pick in the 2005 Draft Lottery.[80]
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.[81]
John Cena 2 January 29, 2006 Miami, FL Won the title at Royal Rumble.[82]
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.[83]
Edge 2 July 3, 2006 Philadelphia, PA This was a triple threat match on RAW, also involving John Cena.[84]
John Cena 3 September 17, 2006 Toronto, ON This was a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match at Unforgiven.[85]
Vacated October 2, 2007 Dayton, OH Vacated on ECW when Cena suffered a torn right pectoral tendon on the October 1 edition of RAW.[86]
Randy Orton 1 October 7, 2007 Rosemont, IL Awarded the title by Vince McMahon at No Mercy.[87]
Triple H 6 October 7, 2007 Rosemont, IL Won the title at No Mercy.[88]
Randy Orton 2 October 7, 2007 Rosemont, IL This was a Last Man Standing match at No Mercy.[89]
Triple H 7 April 27, 2008 Baltimore, MD This was a Elimination Fatal-four Way match at Backlash, also involving John Cena and John "Bradshaw" Layfield.[90]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c History of the WWE Championship. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i WWE World Heavyweight Title. Wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
  3. ^ Buddy Rogers's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  4. ^ Bruno Sammartino's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  5. ^ Ivan Koloff's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  6. ^ Pedro Morales's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  7. ^ Stan Stasiak's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  8. ^ Bruno Sammartino's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  9. ^ Billy Graham's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  10. ^ Bob Backlund's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  11. ^ WWE: Inside WWE > Title History > WWE Championship. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-18.
  12. ^ The Iron Sheik's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  13. ^ Hulk Hogan's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  14. ^ a b Andre the Giant's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  15. ^ Randy Savage's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  16. ^ Hulk Hogan's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  17. ^ The Ultimate Warrior's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  18. ^ Sgt. Slaughter's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  19. ^ Hulk Hogan's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  20. ^ The Undertaker's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  21. ^ a b Hulk Hogan's fourth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  22. ^ Ric Flair's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  23. ^ Randy Savage's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  24. ^ Ric Flair's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  25. ^ http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/92.htm
  26. ^ Bret Hart's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  27. ^ Yokozuna's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  28. ^ Hulk Hogan's fifth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  29. ^ Yokozuna's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  30. ^ Bret Hart's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  31. ^ Bob Backlund's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  32. ^ Diesel's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  33. ^ Bret Hart's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  34. ^ Shawn Michaels's reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  35. ^ Sycho Sid's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  36. ^ a b Shawn Michaels's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  37. ^ Bret Hart's fourth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  38. ^ Sycho Sid's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  39. ^ The Undertaker's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  40. ^ Bret Hart's fifth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  41. ^ Shawn Michaels's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  42. ^ Steve Austin's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  43. ^ Kane's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  44. ^ a b Steve Austin's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  45. ^ The Rock's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  46. ^ Mankind's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  47. ^ The Rock's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  48. ^ Mankind's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  49. ^ The Rock's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  50. ^ Steve Austin's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  51. ^ The Undertaker's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  52. ^ Steve Austin's fourth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  53. ^ Mankind's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  54. ^ Triple H's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  55. ^ a b Vince McMahon's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  56. ^ Triple H's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  57. ^ The Big Show's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  58. ^ Triple H's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  59. ^ The Rock's fourth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  60. ^ Triple H's fourth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  61. ^ The Rock's fifth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  62. ^ Kurt Angle's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  63. ^ The Rock's sixth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  64. ^ Steve Austin's fifth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  65. ^ Kurt Angle's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  66. ^ Steve Austin's sixth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  67. ^ Chris Jericho's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  68. ^ Triple H's fifth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  69. ^ Hulk Hogan's sixth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  70. ^ The Undertaker's fourth reign. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  71. ^ The Rock's seventh reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  72. ^ Brock Lesnar's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  73. ^ The Big Show's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  74. ^ Kurt Angle's third reign. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  75. ^ Brock Lesnar's second reign. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  76. ^ Kurt Angle's fourth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  77. ^ Brock Lesnar's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  78. ^ Eddie Guerrero's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  79. ^ John Bradshaw Layfield's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  80. ^ John Cena's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  81. ^ Edge's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  82. ^ John Cena's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  83. ^ Rob Van Dam's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  84. ^ Edge's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  85. ^ John Cena's third reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
  86. ^ Cena out with pec tear, must surrender WWE Championship. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-03.
  87. ^ Randy Orton's first reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
  88. ^ Triple H's sixth reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
  89. ^ Randy Orton's second reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
  90. ^ Triple H's seventh reign. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-28.

[edit] See also

Professional wrestling
Portal

[edit] External links

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Current World Wrestling Entertainment championships and accomplishments
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