WCW World Heavyweight Championship

* In November 1988, Turner Broadcasting purchased Jim Crockett Promotions, which had promoted under the name "NWA World Championship Wrestling". While the promotion remained a member of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), the use of the NWA name was removed on televised programming, in favor of the name "World Championship Wrestling", or "WCW". 
*On July 1, 1991, a creative disagreement with WCW Executive Vice President Jim Herd led to Flair leaving WCW for Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation. When Herd refused to return Flair's $25,000 deposit, Flair kept the "Big Gold Belt" that had represented the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. A new belt was ordered and was awarded to Lex Luger after he defeated Barry Windham in a cage match for the vacant championship. 
*In 1992, the Big Gold Belt was used for the revived NWA World Heavyweight Championship, a co-promotional gimmick between WCW and New Japan Pro Wrestling. In September 1994, WCW left the NWA for good over a dispute regarding the other NWA members demanding that NWA world champion be available for booking, and due to the use of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on syndicated programming recorded months in advance. After leaving the NWA, WCW kept the Big Gold Belt, and used it as the WCW World Heavyweight Championship belt once again.
*During Hollywood Hogan's runs as champion in 1996–1997 and again in 1998–1999 (i.e. from his 2nd to his 5th reign as champion), as part of the New World Order (nWo) storyline, the title was renamed nWo World Heavyweight Championship and he received a custom nWo belt. Similarly, red paint was used for the nWo Wolfpack. 
WWE introduced the Big Gold Belt for the World Heavyweight Championship, this was seen (especially by WWE) as a continuation of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship history and lineage.
== Title History ==
No. 	Champion 	Championship change 	Championship change 	Championship change 	Reign statistics 	Reign statistics 	Notes
No. 	Champion 	Date 	Event 	Location 	Reign 	Days 	Notes
NWA World Heavyweight Championship 	NWA World Heavyweight Championship 	NWA World Heavyweight Championship 	NWA World Heavyweight Championship 	NWA World Heavyweight Championship 	NWA World Heavyweight Championship 	NWA World Heavyweight Championship 	NWA World Heavyweight Championship
1 	Ric Flair 	November 21, 1988 	— 	— 	1 	 	Following Ted Turner's purchased of Jim Crockett Promotions, all NWA branding and banner (except for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship) were rebranded to WCW. Due to NWA World title not being owned by WCW (owned by NWA themselves) a partnership was kept where NWA World title will continue to be the world title for WCW until 1991. 
WCW and WWE officially recognize the WCW World Championship starting the day Ted Turner purchased JCP 
The NWA organization existed only on paper at this point; on TV, it was portrayed that the NWA World Heavyweight Championship simply became the WCW World Heavyweight Championship
2 	Ricky Steamboat 	February 20, 1989 	Chi-Town Rumble 	Chicago, Illionis 	1 	 	-
3 	Ric Flair 	July 23, 1989 	The Great American Bash 	Baltimore, Maryland 	2 	 	This was a 2 out of 3 falls match.
4 	Sting 	July 7, 1990 	The Great American Bash 	Baltimore, Maryland 	1 	 	
WCW World Heavyweight Championship 	WCW World Heavyweight Championship 	WCW World Heavyweight Championship 	WCW World Heavyweight Championship 	WCW World Heavyweight Championship 	WCW World Heavyweight Championship 	WCW World Heavyweight Championship 	WCW World Heavyweight Championship
5 	Ric Flair 	January 30, 1991 	Clash of the Champions XIV: Dixie Dynamite 	Gainesville, Georgia 	3 	171 	
— 	Vacated 	July 1, 1991 	— 	— 	— 	— 	Flair left WCW to join the World Wrestling Federation (and was stripped of the title. When Flair left, he took the Big Gold Belt, which represented the WCW World title, with him.
6 	Lex Luger 	July 14, 1991 	The Great American Bash 	Baltimore, Maryland 	1 	230 	Luger was originally the #1 contender and Barry Windham was named the #2 contender. Luger defeated Windham in a steel cage match for the vacant title.
7 	Sting 	February 29, 1992 	SuperBrawl II 	Milwaukee, Wisconsin 	2 	134 	
8 	Big Van Vader 	July 12, 1992 	The Great American Bash 	Albany, Georgia 	1 	20 	
9 	Ron Simmons 	August 15, 1992 	WCW Saturday Night 	Baltimore, Maryland 	1 	147 	Due to injury, Sting was unable to have a rematch with Vader, so a raffle was done to take Sting's place as the number one contender. Ron Simmons won the raffle
10 	Big Van Vader 	December 26, 1992 	WCW Saturday Night 	Atlanta, Georgia 	2 	366 	
11 	Ric Flair 	December 27, 1993 	Starrcade: 10th Anniversary 	Charlotte, North Carolina 	4 	289 	This was a title vs. career match.
12 	Hulk Hogan 	July 17, 1994 	Bash at the Beach 	Orlando, Florida 	1 	469 	
13 	The Giant 	October 29, 1995 	Halloween Havoc 	Detroit. Michigan 	1 	8 	Jimmy Hart announced the title can change hands via disqualification due to it being stipulated in the match contract.
— 	Vacated 	November 6, 1995 	Nitro 	Jacksonville, Florida 	— 	— 	The Giant was stripped of the title due to the controversial finish of the Halloween Havoc match.
14 	Randy Savage 	November 26, 1995 	World War 3 	Norfolk, Virginia 	1 	31 	This was the first-ever World War 3 match. Savage last eliminated One Man Gang to win the vacant title.
15 	Ric Flair 	December 27, 1995 	Starrcade: World Cup of Wrestling 	Nashville, Tennessee 	5 	26 	
16 	Randy Savage 	January 22, 1996 	Nitro 	Las Vegas, Nevada 	2 	20 	
17 	Ric Flair 	February 11, 1996 	SuperBrawl VI 	St. Petersburg, Florida 	6 	78 	This was a steel cage match.
17 	The Giant 	April 29, 1996 	Nitro 	Albany, Georgia 	2 	103 	
18 	Hollywood Hogan 	August 10, 1996 	Hog Wild 	Sturgis, South Dakota 	2 	359 	After the match, Hogan spray-painted the New World Order (nWo) initials on the title belt and renamed the nWo World Heavyweight Championship
19 	Lex Luger 	August 4, 1997 	Nitro 	Auburn Hills, Michigan 	2 	5 	
20 	Hollywood Hogan 	August 9, 1997 	Road Wild 	Sturgis, South Dakota 	3 	141 	
21 	Sting 	December 28, 1997 	Starrcade 	Washington, D.C. 	3 	112 	Hogan first pinned Sting, but guest referee Bret Hart accused the 1st referee, Nick Patrick, of making a fast count and restarted the match. Sting then won by submission.
22 	Randy Savage 	April 19, 1998 	Spring Stampede 	Denver. Colorado 	3 	1 	This was a no disqualification match.
23 	Hollywood Hogan 	April 20, 1998 	Nitro 	Colorado Springs, Colorado 	4 	77 	
24 	Goldberg 	July 6, 1998 	Nitro 	Atlanta, Georgia 	1 	174 	
25 	Kevin Nash 	December 27, 1998 	Starrcade 	Washington, D.C. 	1 	8 	
26 	Hollywood Hogan 	January 4, 1999 	Nitro 	Atlanta, Georgia 	5 	69 	This was 'The Fingerpoke of Doom'.
27 	Sting 	March 15, 1999 	Nitro 	Cincinnati, Ohio 	8 	28 	-
28 	Diamond Dallas Page 	April 12, 1999 	Nitro 	Yakima, Washington 	1 	29 	This was a 4 corners match, also involving Kevin Nash and Goldberg.
29 	Kevin Nash 	May 9, 1999 	Slamboree 	St. Louis, Missouri 	2 	63 	
30 	Randy Savage 	July 11, 1999 	Bash at the Beach 	Fort Lauderdale, Florida 	4 	1 	-
31 	Hollywood/Hulk Hogan 	July 12, 1999 	Nitro 	Jacksonville, Florida 	6 	62 	
32 	Sting 	September 12, 1999 	Fall Brawl 	Winston-Salem, North Carolina 	4 	43 	
— 	Vacated 	October 25, 1999 	Nitro 	Phoenix, Arizona 	— 	— 	Sting was stripped of the title due to a double-fall result at Halloween Havoc.
33 	Bret Hart 	November 21, 1999 	World War 3 	Toronto, Ontario 	1 	29 	This was a World War 3 match. Hart last eliminated Beniot to win the vacant title.
— 	Vacated 	December 20, 1999 	Nitro 	Baltimore, Maryland 	— 	— 	Bret Hart vacated the title due to the controversial end to a match with Goldberg at Starrcade.
34 	Bret Hart 	December 20, 1999 	Nitro 	Baltimore, Maryland 	2 	27 	Defeated Goldberg in a rematch for the vacant title.
35 	Chris Benoit 	January 16, 2000 	Souled Out 	Cincinnati, Ohio 	1 	1 	Defeated Sid Vicious for the vacant title. The following day, after a dispute with management, he left WCW for the WWF.
— 	Vacated 	January 17, 2000 	Nitro 	Columbus, Ohio 	— 	— 	In storyline, Chris Benoit was stripped of the title because he won the match although Sid Vicious' foot was under the rope during the submission. In reality, Benoit forfeited the title and left for the WWF after dispute with management.
36 	Sid Vicious 	January 24, 2000 	Nitro 	Los Angeles, California 	1 	2 	Defeated The Harris Brothers for the right to face Kevin Nash. Sid then defeated Nash for the vacant title.
— 	Vacated 	January 26, 2000 	Thunder 	Las Vegas, Nevada 	— 	— 	Sid Vicious was stripped of the title by Commissioner Kevin Nash due to Sid submitting the wrong Harris Brother.
37 	Kevin Nash 	January 26, 2000 	Thunder 	Las Vegas, Nevada 	3 	<1 	Awarded himself the title
38 	Sid Vicious 	January 26, 2000 	Thunder 	Las Vegas, Nevada 	2 	75 	This was a triangle steel cage match, also involving Kevin Nash and Ron Harris. Sid made Nash submit to win the vacant title.
— 	Vacated 	April 10, 2000 	Nitro 	Denver. Colorado 	— 	— 	All WCW titles were declared vacant by Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff after WCW was rebooted.
39 	Diamond Dallas Page 	April 16, 2000 	Spring Stampede 	Chicago, Illinois 	1 	8 	Defeated Diamond Dallas Page in tournament final for the vacant title.
40 	David Arquette 	April 24, 2000 	Nitro 	Rochester, New York 	3 	2 	This was a tag team match pitting Arquette and Diamond Dallas Page against Eric Bischoff and Jeff Jarrett, in which whoever scored the fall would become champion. Arquette pinned Bischoff to win Page's title.
41 	Jeff Jarrett 	April 26, 2000 	Thunder 	Syracuse, New York 	1 	11 	This was a Triple Cage match, also involving Diamond Dallas Page.
42 	Ric Flair 	May 7, 2000 	Slamboree 	Kansas City, Missouri 	7 	15 	
— 	Vacated 	May 22, 2000 	Nitro 	Grand Rapids, Michigan 	— 	— 	Vince Russo stripped Ric Flair of the title.
43 	Jeff Jarrett 	May 22, 2000 	Nitro 	Grand Rapids, Michigan 	3 	1 	Vince Russo awarded the vacant title to Jarrett, but Kevin Nash stole the title belt. Nash was then forced to face Jarrett in a No Holds Barred match, which Jarrett won.
44 	Kevin Nash 	May 23, 2000 	Thunder 	Saginaw, Michigan 	4 	6 	This was a triangle match, also involving Scott Steiner.
45 	Ric Flair 	May 29, 2000 	Nitro 	Salt Lake City, Utah 	<1|Kevin Nash gave the title to Flair. 	 	
46 	Jeff Jarrett 	May 29, 2000 	Nitro 	Salt Lake City, Utah 	4 	41 	
47 	Booker T 	July 9, 2000 	Bash at the Beach 	Daytona Beach, Florida 	1 	50 	Earlier that night, Hulk Hogan faced Jeff Jarrett for the title in a controversial match that ended in a shoot. In reality, Vince Russo wanted Hogan to lose to Jarrett, who would then lose to Booker T. However, Hogan refused to job to Jarrett, so Russo told Jarrett to just lie down and let Hogan win. Jarrett laid down and Russo threw the belt in the ring at a confused Hogan, telling Hogan to take the belt. After Hogan pinned Jarrett and was declared new champion, he called out Russo for his poor booking decisions before walking out of WCW. Russo reversed the decision, declaring that Jarrett was still champion. Jarrett then lost the title to Booker T in an impromptu match.
48 	Kevin Nash 	August 28, 2000 	Nitro 	Las Cruces, New Mexico 	5 	20 	
49 	Booker T 	September 17, 2000 	Fall Brawl 	Buffalo, New York 	2 	8 	
50 	Vince Russo 	September 25, 2000 	Nitro 	Uniondale, New York 	1 	7 	This was a steel cage match.
— 	Vacated 	October 2, 2000 	Nitro 	Daly City, California 	— 	— 	Vince Russo decided he was not a wrestler and he did not want the title.
51 	Booker T 	October 2, 2000 	Nitro 	Daly City, California 	3 	55 	Defeated Jeff Jarrett in a San Francisco 49ers match for the vacant title.
52 	Scott Steiner 	November 26, 2000 	Mayhem 	Milwaukee, Wisconsin 	1 	120 	This was a straitjacket steel cage match.
53 	Booker T 	March 26, 2001 	Nitro 	Panama City Beach, Florida 	4 	 	This was a winner-take-all match for both the World Heavyweight and US Heavyweight championships. This was also the final episode of Nitro, as WCW had been purchased by the WWF on March 23, 2001.
The title was then defended on WWF programming, where it was referred to as the WCW Championship.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE): WCW World Championship	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE): WCW World Championship	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE): WCW World Championship	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE): WCW World Championship	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE): WCW World Championship 	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE): WCW World Championship	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE): WCW World Championship	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE): WCW World Championship
54 	The Rock 	August 19, 2001 	San Jose, California|1 	112 	 	 	
55 	Chris Jericho 	December 16, 2001 	Starrcade 	San Diego, California 	1 	<1 	Unification match to unify the WCW World Championship and WWE Championships. The WCW World Championship was retired and the WWE Championship became the WWE Undisputed Championship.
— 	Unified 	December 16, 2001 	Starrcade 	San Diego, California 	— 	— 	
56 	Triple H 	September 2, 2002 	WCW Nitro 	Milwaukee, Wisconsin 	1 	384 	After the WWE Championship became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand, Raw GM Eric Bischoff brought back the WCW World Championship to be the world title of WCW and awarded it to Triple H, who was originally the #1 contender for the WWE Championship.
At No Mercy on October 20, 2002, Triple H defeated Intercontinental Champion Kane to unify the Intercontinental Championship into the WCW World Championship.
57 	The Rock 	September 21, 2003 	Unforgiven 	Hershey, Pennsylvania 	2 	84 	This was a career vs. title match. If HHH was counted out or disqualified, he would lose the title.
58 	Triple H 	December 14, 2003 	Armageddon 	Orlando, Florida 	2 	91 	
59 	Chris Benoit 	March 14, 2004 	WrestleMania XX 	New York City, New York 	2 	154 	This was a fatal 4-way match, also involving Shawn Michaels and The Rock.
60 	Triple H 	August 15, 2004 	SummerSlam 	Toronto, Ontario, Canada 	3 	113 	
61 	Batista 	April 3, 2005 	WrestleMania XXI 	Los Angeles, California 	1 	168 	
62 	Triple H 	August 21, 2005 	Summerslam 	Washington, D.C. 	4 	112 	This was a Hell in a Cell match
64 	John Cena 	March 26, 2006 	WrestleMania 22 	Chicago, Illinois 	2 	133 	
65 	Rob Van Dam 	June 11, 2006 	ECW Super Showdown 	Saudi Arabia|1 	<1 	This was an Hardcore match. 	
66 	Edge 	June 11, 2006 	ECW Super Showdown 	Saudi Arabia|1 	1 	48 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract
67 	Triple H 	August 20, 2006 	Summerslam 	Boston, Massachusetts 	2 	217 	
67 	Batista 	 	 	 	 	 	
68 	The Undertaker 	March 25, 2007 	Wrestlemania XXIII 	Detroit, Michigan 	1 	44 	Defeated Batista for the vacant title
— 	Vacated 	May 8, 2007 	SmackDown 	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 	— 	— 	The Undertaker vacated the title after he was sidelined with a (kayfabe) injury after being attacked by Mark Henry after competing in a steel cage match. In real life, Undertaker took time off due to a torn right biceps
69 	The Great Khali 	May 8, 2007 	SmackDown 	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 	1 	75 	This was a 20-man battle royal for the vacant title.
70 	Batista 	July 22, 2007 	Great American Bash 	San Jose, California 	3 	119 	
71 	Edge 	November 18, 2007 	Survivor Series 	Miami, Florida 	3 	133 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract.
72 	The Undertaker 	March 30, 2008 	WrestleMania XXIV 	Jacksonville, Florida 	2 	63 	
73 	Edge 	June 1, 2008 	Extreme Rules 	San Diego, California 	4 	28 	This was a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match
74 	Batista 	June 29, 2008 	Night of Champions 	Uniondale, New York 	4 	70 	
75 	Chris Jericho 	September 7, 2008 	Unforgiven 	Cleveland, Ohio 	1 	77 	The title became exclusive to the Raw brand due to Jericho's status as a Raw wrestler. Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract.
76 	John Cena 	November 23, 2008 	Survivor Series 	Boston, Massachusetts 	3 	84 	
77 	Edge 	February 15, 2009 	No Way Out 	Seattle, Washington 	5 	49 	The title became exclusive to SmackDown due to Edge's status as a SmackDown wrestler.
78 	John Cena 	April 5, 2009 	WrestleMania XXV 	Houston, Texas 	4 	21 	The title became exclusive to the Raw brand due to Cena's status as a Raw wrestler.
79 	Edge 	April 26, 2009 	Backlash 	Providence, Rhode Island 	6 	42 	This was a Last Man Standing match. The title became exclusive to SmackDown due to Edge's status as a SmackDown wrestler.
80 	Jeff Hardy 	June 7, 2009 	Extreme Rules 	Sacramento, California 	1 	<1 	This was a ladder match
81 	CM Punk 	June 7, 2009 	Extreme Rules 	Sacramento, California 	1 	49 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract.
82 	Jeff Hardy 	July 26, 2009 	Night of Champions 	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 	2 	28 	
83 	CM Punk 	August 23, 2009 	SummerSlam 	Los Angeles, California 	2 	42 	This was a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match.
84 	The Undertaker 	October 4, 2009 	Hell in a Cell 	Newark, New Jersey 	3 	140 	This was a Hell in a Cell match.
85 	Chris Jericho 	February 21, 2010 	No Way Out 	St. Louis, Missouri 	2 	 	
86 	Rey Mysterio 	July 18, 2010 	Money in the Bank 	Kansas City, Missouri 	1 	<1 	
87 	Kane 	July 18, 2010 	Money in the Bank 	Kansas City, Missouri 	1 	154 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract.
88 	Edge 	December 19, 2010 	TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 	Houston, Texas 	7 	 	This was a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match
— 	Vacated 	February 15, 2011 	SmackDown 	San Diego, California 	— 	— 	Edge was stripped of the title by SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero as a result of using the Edgecution (which had been banned) in a previous match.
89 	Dolph Ziggler 	February 15, 2011 	SmackDown 	San Diego, California 	1 	<1 	Awarded the title by SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero.
90 	Edge 	February 15, 2011 	SmackDown 	San Diego, California 	8 	56 	
— 	Vacated 	April 12, 2011 	WWE Raw 	Albany, New York 	— 	— 	Edge relinquished the title when he announced his immediate retirement as a result of being diagnosed with spinal stenosis.
91 	Christian 	April 15, 2011 	Extreme Rules 	Tampa, Florida 	1 	5 	Defeated Alberto Del Rio in a ladder match to win the vacant title.
92 	Randy Orton 	May 6, 2011 	SmackDown 	Orlando, Florida 	1 	 	
93 	Christian 	July 17, 2011 	Money in the Bank 	Rosemont, Illinois 	2 	28 	Defeated Randy Orton by disqualification after being hit with a low-blow. The stipulations of the match allowed the title to change hands by disqualification.
94 	Randy Orton 	August 14, 2011 	SummerSlam 	Los Angeles, California 	2 	35 	This was a No Holds Barred match. On August 29, 2011, the first brand extension ended, allowing the WCW World Champion to appear on both WCW Nitro and WWE Raw.
95 	Mark Henry 	September 18, 2011 	Night of Champions 	Buffalo, New York 	1 	91 	
96 	Daniel Bryan 	November 25, 2011 	SmackDown 	Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 	1 	135 	
97 	Sheamus 	April 8, 2011 	WrestleMania XXVIII 	Miami, Florida 	1 	189 	
98 	The Big Show 	October 14, 2012 	Hell in a Cell 	Atlanta, Georgia 	3 	99 	
99 	Alberto Del Rio 	January 11, 2013 	SmackDown 	Miami, Florida 	1 	93 	This was a Last Man Standing match
100 	Dolph Ziggler 	April 8, 2013 	Raw 	East Rutherford, New Jersey 	2 	70 	
101 	Alberto Del Rio 	June 16, 2013 	Payback 	Rosemont, Illinois 	2 	28 	
102 	The Rock 	July 14, 2013 	Money in the Bank 	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 	2 	266 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract.
103 	CM Punk 	April 6, 2014 	WrestleMania XXX 	New Orleans, Louisiana 	2 	<1 	This was a fatal 4-way title unification match in which Goldberg's WWE Championship was also on the line.
— 	Unified 	— 	— 	Bryan unified the WCW World Championship with the WWE Championship. The WCW World Championship was retired and the WWE Championship became the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.