WWE officially states the World Heavyweight Championship is not the same title as the WCW Championship or NWA World Heavyweight Championship before it, but rather a new title that does not inherit their championship history.[2] The World Heavyweight Championship is the successor to both titles, traced from them just as the WCW Championship was traced from and succeeded the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.[3] For a list of wrestlers who have held those belts, see List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions and List of NWA World Heavyweight Champions respectively.
| Wrestler: |
Times: |
Date: |
Location: |
Notes: |
| Triple H |
1 |
September 2, 2002 |
Milwaukee, WI |
Awarded title by Eric Bischoff on RAW. Defeated Kane on October 20, 2002 in Little Rock, AR to unify the Intercontinental Championship into the World title.[1][4] |
| Shawn Michaels |
1 |
November 17, 2002 |
New York, NY |
This was the first ever Elimination Chamber match at Survivor Series, also involving Rob Van Dam, Booker T, Chris Jericho and Kane.[5] |
| Triple H |
2 |
December 15, 2002 |
Sunrise, FL |
This was a Three Stages of Hell match at Armageddon, consisting of a Street Fight, Steel Cage match, and Ladder match; Triple H won the first and third falls.[6] |
| Goldberg |
1 |
September 21, 2003 |
Hershey, PA |
Won the title at Unforgiven.[7] |
| Triple H |
3 |
December 14, 2003 |
Orlando, FL |
This was a Triple Threat match at Armageddon, also involving Kane.[8] |
| Chris Benoit |
1 |
March 14, 2004 |
New York, NY |
This was a Triple Threat match at WrestleMania XX, also involving Shawn Michaels.[9] |
| Randy Orton |
1 |
August 15, 2004 |
Toronto, ON |
Won the title at SummerSlam.[10] |
| Triple H |
4 |
September 12, 2004 |
Portland, OR |
Won the title at Unforgiven.[11] |
| Vacated |
December 6, 2004 |
Charlotte, NC |
Vacated on RAW when a Triple Threat match between Triple H, Chris Benoit, and Edge the week prior in Baltimore, MD ended in a double victory as Edge pinned Benoit while Benoit simultaneously made him submit.[1][12] |
| Triple H |
5 |
January 9, 2005 |
San Juan, PR |
This was an Elimination Chamber match at New Year's Revolution, also involving Batista, Chris Jericho, Edge, Chris Benoit, and Randy Orton.[12] |
| Batista |
1 |
April 3, 2005 |
Los Angeles, CA |
Won the title at WrestleMania 21.[13] The title becomes a SmackDown! exclusive world title on June 28, 2005 after Batista gets drafted from RAW.[1] |
| Vacated |
January 10, 2006 |
Philadelphia, PA |
Vacated due to triceps injury on the January 13 episode of SmackDown!.[14] |
| Kurt Angle |
1 |
January 10, 2006 |
Philadelphia, PA |
Won a 20-man battle royal on the January 13 edition of SmackDown!.[14] |
| Rey Mysterio |
1 |
April 2, 2006 |
Chicago, IL |
This was a Triple Threat match at WrestleMania 22, also involving Randy Orton.[15] |
| King Booker |
1 |
July 23, 2006 |
Indianapolis, IN |
Won the title at The Great American Bash.[16] |
| Batista |
2 |
November 26, 2006 |
Philadelphia, PA |
Won the title at Survivor Series.[17] |
| The Undertaker |
1 |
April 1, 2007 |
Detroit, MI |
Won the title at WrestleMania 23.[18] |
| Edge |
1 |
May 8, 2007 |
Pittsburgh, PA |
Cashed in his "Money in the Bank" contract after The Undertaker and Batista fought to a draw in a steel cage match. (Aired on the May 11 SmackDown!.)[19] |
| Vacated |
July 17, 2007 |
Laredo, TX |
Edge vacated the title due to a pectoral injury. (Aired on the July 20 SmackDown!.)[20] |
| The Great Khali |
1 |
July 17, 2007 |
Laredo, TX |
Won a 20-man battle royal on the July 20 edition of SmackDown!.[20] |
| Batista |
3 |
September 16, 2007 |
Memphis, TN |
This was a Triple Threat match at Unforgiven, also involving Rey Mysterio.[21] |
| Edge |
2 |
December 16, 2007 |
Pittsburgh, PA |
This was a Triple Threat match at Armageddon, also involving The Undertaker.[22] |
| The Undertaker |
2 |
March 30, 2008 |
Orlando, FL |
Won the title at WrestleMania XXIV.[23] |
| Vacated |
April 29, 2008 |
Atlantic City, NJ |
Vacated after general manager Vickie Guerrero stripped The Undertaker of the championship because she felt The Undertaker's new choke hold was too dangerous to the Smackdown! wrestlers. (Aired on the May 2 SmackDown!.)[24] |
| Edge |
3 |
June 1, 2008 |
San Diego, CA |
Defeated The Undertaker at One Night Stand in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. As per pre-match stipulation, The Undertaker was banished from WWE[25] |
