List of WWE Champions

= List of WWE Champions =
The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE, currently on the Raw brand. It was the first world title established in WWE, having been introduced in 1963 as the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) World Heavyweight Championship. The promotion was renamed World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979 and ended its affiliation with the National Wrestling Alliance(NWA) in 1983, with the title also renamed to reflect the changes. 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. In 2002, the WWF was renamed World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and split its roster into two brands, Raw and SmackDown. The title, now renamed the WWE Championship, was then designated to the SmackDown brand while WWE established an alternate world title known as the World Heavyweight Championship for the Raw brand. A third alternate world title, the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, was reactivated for the ECW brand in 2006. It was vacated and decommissioned when the ECW brand disbanded in 2010.
Sixth-time and current champion Brock Lesnar
When WWE Champion Randy Orton defeated World Heavyweight Champion John Cena at the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view event on December 15, 2013, the World Heavyweight Championship was unified with the WWE Championship, resulting in the retiring of the former and the renaming of the latter to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. On June 27, 2016, the name was shortened back to the WWE Championship before assuming the WWE World Championship name on July 26, when the brand extension returned. It became designated to the SmackDown brand and WWE again established an alternate world title known as the WWE Universal Championship for the Raw brand. In December 2016, WWE again shortened the title's name back to WWE Championship. Following the events of Crown Jewel 2019, the Universal and WWE Championships switched brands.
The championship is generally contested in professional wrestling matches, in which participants execute scripted finishes rather than contend in direct competition. Some reigns were held by champions using a ring name while others use their real name. Brock Lesnar is the current champion in his sixth reign. He won the title by defeating previous champion Big E in a fatal five-way match on January 3 2022, at WWE Day 1 in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex city of Arlington, Texas. Beginning Here WWE Stared Recognized Championship Defenses. 
As of January 29, 2022, there have been 146 recognized reigns between 54 recognized champions and 11 recognized vacancies (there are 4 reigns, 2 people, and 2 vacancies that are not recognized by the WWE). 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. John Cena has the most reigns with 13. Eight men in history have held the championship for a continuous reign of one year (365 days) or more: Bruno Sammartino (who achieved the feat on two occasions), Pedro Morales, Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, John Cena, CM Punk, and AJ Styles.
== 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 – May 27, 1989
WWF Championship 	May 27, 1989 – December 9, 2001
Undisputed WWF Championship 	December 9, 2001 – May 6, 2002
Undisputed WWE Championship 	May 6, 2002 – May 19, 2002
WWE Undisputed Championship 	May 19, 2002 – September 2, 2002
WWE Championship 	September 2, 2002 – December 15, 2013
WWE World Heavyweight Championship 	December 15, 2013 – June 27, 2016
WWE Championship 	June 27, 2016 – July 25, 2016
WWE World Championship 	July 26, 2016 – December 9, 2016
WWE Championship 	December 10, 2016 – present
=== Reigns ===
As of January 29, 2022.
Key
No. 	Overall reign number
Reign 	Reign number for the specific champion
Days 	Number of days held
Days recog.	Number of days held recognized by the promotion
† 	Championship change is unrecognized by the promotion
<1 	Reign lasted less than a day
+ 	Current reign is changing daily
No. 	Champion 	Championship change 	Championship change 	Championship change 	Reign statistics 	Reign statistics 	Reign statistics 	Notes 	Defenses 	Ref.
No. 	Champion 	Date 	Event 	Location 	Reign 	Days 	Days recog. 	Notes 	Defenses 	Ref.
World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) 	World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) 	World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) 	World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) 	World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) 	World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) 	World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) 	World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) 	World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) 	World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) 	World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)
1 	Buddy Rogers 	April 11, 1963 	Heavyweight Wrestling 	Washington, D.C. 	1 	36 	22 	Won a fictional tournament in Rio de Janeiro after the WWWF left the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), of which Rogers had been the 7thNWA World Heavyweight Champion since defeating Pat O'Connor on June 30, 1961. After Rogers' one fall loss to Lou Thesz for the title on January 24, 1963, Northeast promoters (led by Vince McMahon Sr.and Toots Mondt) did not recognize this title change and withdrew their membership from the NWA to form the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). The WWWF billed Rogers as their world champion since January 25, 1963, but it did not recognize him as the first ever WWWF World Heavyweight Champion until April 11, 1963, when he received the title belt. However, WWE lists Rogers' reign and the establishment of the title beginning on April 25, 1963.	5 	
2 	Bruno Sammartino 	May 17, 1963 	House show 	New York, NY 	1 	2,803 	2,803 	 	200 	
3 	Ivan Koloff 	January 18, 1971 	House show 	New York, NY 	1 	21 	21 	 	3 	
4 	Pedro Morales 	February 8, 1971 	House show 	New York, NY 	1 	1,027 	1,027 	The title was renamed the WWWF Heavyweight Championship when the WWWF rejoined the NWA in 1971. 	100 	
National Wrestling Alliance: World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) 	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF)
5 	Stan Stasiak 	December 1, 1973 	House show 	Philadelphia, PA 	1 	9 	9 	 	0 	
6 	Bruno Sammartino 	December 10, 1973 	House show 	New York, NY 	2 	1,237 	1,237 	 	100 	
7 	Superstar Billy Graham 	April 30, 1977 	House show 	Baltimore, MD 	1 	296 	296 	 	10 	
8 	Bob Backlund 	February 20, 1978 	WWF on MSG Network 	New York, NY 	1 	648 	2,135 	The title was renamed the WWF Heavyweight Championship when the WWWF became the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in March 1979 for marketing purposes. 	90 	
National Wrestling Alliance: World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	National Wrestling Alliance: World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
† 	Antonio Inoki 	November 30, 1979 	Toukon Series 	Tokushima, Japan 	— 	6 	— 	 	1 	
— 	Vacated 	December 6, 1979 	— 	Tokyo, Japan 	— 	— 	— 	Inoki immediately vacated the title after a title defense rematch with Bob Backlund ended in a no contest due to the interference of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Tiger Jeet Singh. 	— 	
† 	Bob Backlund 	December 17, 1979 	WWF on MSG Network 	New York, NY 	1 	1,470 	— 	Defeated Bobby Duncum in a Texas death match to fill the vacancy. On October 19, 1981, following a controversial match with Greg Valentine in Madison Square Garden, the title was vacated (recognized only in New York City) by the NY State Athletic Commission. Backlund defeated Valentine in a rematch in MSG on November 23, 1981 to end the vacancy. WWE recognizes this whole period as one uninterrupted reign. 	0 	
9 	The Iron Sheik 	December 26, 1983 	WWF on MSG Network 	New York, NY 	1 	28 	28 	The Iron Sheik won by submission when Bob Backlund's manager Arnold Skaaland threw in the towel when Backlund was put into Sheik's camel clutch to prevent any major injury. The title was renamed the WWF World Heavyweight Championship when the WWF ended its affiliation with the NWA. 	4 	
World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	World Wrestling Federation (WWF) 	World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
10 	Hulk Hogan 	January 23, 1984 	WWF on MSG Network 	New York, NY 	1 	1,474 	1,474 	 	90 	
11 	André the Giant 	February 5, 1988 	The Main Event I 	Indianapolis, IN 	1 	<1 	<1 	Defeated Hulk Hogan when referee Earl Hebner, who was bribed by Ted DiBiase, scored the three-count despite Hogan raising his shoulder at the one-count. 	0 	
† 	Ted DiBiase 	February 5, 1988 	The Main Event I 	Indianapolis, IN 	1 	8 	— 	Immediately after winning the title from Hulk Hogan, André the Giant handed the championship belt to Ted DiBiase, but WWF PresidentJack Tunney ruled this as vacating the title and therefore DiBiase's reign is not recognized by WWE, albeit he was announced as such in the following days and even defended the title once against Bam Bam Bigelow in a February 8, 1988 live event. 	1 	
— 	Vacated 	February 13, 1988 	Superstars of Wrestling 	Hershey, PA 	— 	— 	— 	WWF PresidentJack Tunneyrefused to recognize Ted DiBiase as champion and vacated the title. WWE recognizes the vacancy as starting on February 5, 1988, the date of the controversy, rather than the date in which the announcement was made in a video aired on tape delay on February 13, 1988. 	— 	
12 	Randy Savage 	March 27, 1988 	WrestleMania IV 	Atlantic City, NJ 	1 	371 	371 	Defeated Ted DiBiase in a tournament final to win the vacant title. 	10 	
13 	Hulk Hogan 	April 2, 1989 	WrestleMania V 	Atlantic City, NJ 	2 	364 	364 	The title was renamed the WWF Championship in July 1989. 	10 	
14 	The Ultimate Warrior 	April 1, 1990 	WrestleMania VI 	Toronto, ON, Canada 	1 	293 	293 	This was a title vs. title match in which Warrior also defended the Intercontinental Championship. 	10 	
15 	Sgt. Slaughter 	January 19, 1991 	Royal Rumble 	Miami, FL 	1 	64 	64 	 	3 	
16 	Hulk Hogan 	March 24, 1991 	WrestleMania VII 	Los Angeles, CA 	3 	248 	248 	 	5 	
17 	The Undertaker 	November 27, 1991 	Survivor Series 	Detroit, MI 	1 	6 	6 	 	0 	
18 	Hulk Hogan 	December 3, 1991 	This Tuesday in Texas 	San Antonio, TX 	4 	1 	4 	 	0 	
— 	Vacated 	December 4, 1991 	Superstars of Wrestling 	New Haven, CT 	— 	— 	— 	Hogan was stripped of the title by WWF President Jack Tunney due to the controversy surrounding both of the previous title changes. Aired on tape delay on December 7, 1991. 	— 	
19 	Ric Flair 	January 19, 1992 	Royal Rumble 	Albany, NY 	1 	77 	77 	This was the Royal Rumble match in which Flair last eliminated Sid Justice to win the vacant title. 	6 	
20 	Randy Savage 	April 5, 1992 	WrestleMania VIII 	Indianapolis, IN 	2 	149 	149 	 	10 	
21 	Ric Flair 	September 1, 1992 	Prime Time Wrestling 	Hershey, PA 	2 	41 	41 	Aired on tape delay on September 14, 1992. 	4 	
22 	Bret Hart 	October 12, 1992 	House show 	Saskatoon, SK, Canada 	1 	174 	174 	 	5 	
23 	Yokozuna 	April 4, 1993 	WrestleMania IX 	Las Vegas, NV 	1 	<1 	<1 	 	0 	
24 	Hulk Hogan 	April 4, 1993 	WrestleMania IX 	Las Vegas, NV 	5 	70 	70 	After Yokozuna pinned Bret Hart to win the title, Yokozuna's manager, Mr. Fuji, issued an immediate challenge to Hogan for the championship, which was accepted and Hogan won the impromptu match. 	2 	
25 	Yokozuna 	June 13, 1993 	King of the Ring 	Dayton, OH 	2 	280 	280 	 	10 	
26 	Bret Hart 	March 20, 1994 	WrestleMania X 	New York, NY 	2 	248 	248 	Roddy Piper was the guest referee. 	12 	
27 	Bob Backlund 	November 23, 1994 	Survivor Series 	San Antonio, TX 	2 	3 	3 	This was a Throw in the Towelsubmission match. 	0 	
28 	Diesel 	November 26, 1994 	House show 	New York, NY 	1 	358 	358 	 	10 	
29 	Bret Hart 	November 19, 1995 	Survivor Series 	Landover, MD 	3 	133 	133 	This was a no disqualification match. 	3 	
30 	Shawn Michaels 	March 31, 1996 	WrestleMania XII 	Anaheim, CA 	1 	231 	231 	This was a 60-minute Iron Man match in which Michaels won 1–0 in overtime. 	3 	
31 	Sycho Sid 	November 17, 1996 	Survivor Series 	New York, NY 	1 	63 	63 	 	2 	
32 	Shawn Michaels 	January 19, 1997 	Royal Rumble 	San Antonio, TX 	2 	25 	25 	 	2 	
— 	Vacated 	February 13, 1997 	Raw 	Lowell, MA 	— 	— 	— 	Shawn Michaels forfeited the title due to a knee injury. 	— 	
33 	Bret Hart 	February 16, 1997 	In Your House 13: Final Four 	Chattanooga, TN 	4 	1 	1 	This was a four-way elimination match for the vacant title also involving Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker, and Vader. 	0 	
34 	Sycho Sid 	February 17, 1997 	Raw 	Nashville, TN 	2 	34 	34 	 	1 	
35 	The Undertaker 	March 23, 1997 	WrestleMania 13 	Rosemont, IL 	2 	133 	133 	This was a no disqualification match. 	4 	
36 	Bret Hart 	August 3, 1997 	SummerSlam 	East Rutherford, NJ 	5 	98 	98 	Shawn Michaels was the guest referee. 	5 	
37 	Shawn Michaels 	November 9, 1997 	Survivor Series 	Montreal, QC, Canada 	3 	140 	140 	This was the Montreal Screwjob. 	4 	
38 	Stone Cold Steve Austin 	March 29, 1998 	WrestleMania XIV 	Boston, MA 	1 	91 	91 	Mike Tyson was the special outside enforcer. 	3 	
39 	Kane 	June 28, 1998 	King of the Ring 	Pittsburgh, PA 	1 	1 	1 	This was a First Blood match; had Kane lost, he would have set himself on fire. 	0 	
40 	Stone Cold Steve Austin 	June 29, 1998 	Raw 	Cleveland, OH 	2 	90 	90 	 	5 	
— 	Vacated 	September 27, 1998 	Breakdown: In Your House 	Hamilton, ON, Canada 	— 	— 	— 	The title was vacated after Kane and The Undertaker simultaneously pinned Stone Cold Steve Austin in a triple threat match. 	— 	
41 	The Rock 	November 15, 1998 	Survivor Series 	St. Louis, MO 	1 	44 	50 	Defeated Mankind in the finals of the Deadly Game tournament in a recreation of the Montreal Screwjob to win the vacant title. WWE recognizes The Rock's reign as ending on January 4, 1999, when the following episode aired on tape delay. 	5 	
42 	Mankind 	December 29, 1998 	Raw 	Worcester, MA 	1 	26 	20 	This was a no disqualification match. WWE recognizes Mankind's reign as beginning on January 4, 1999, when the episode aired on tape delay. 	1 	
43 	The Rock 	January 24, 1999 	Royal Rumble 	Anaheim, CA 	2 	2 	7 	This was an "I quit" match which The Rock won by knocking Mankind unconscious while someone backstage, later revealed to be Shane McMahon, played an audio recording of Mankind saying "I quit" when The Rock placed the microphone against his face. WWE recognizes The Rock's reign as ending on January 31, 1999, when the following match aired on tape delay. 	0 	
44 	Mankind 	January 26, 1999 	Halftime Heat 	Tucson, AZ 	2 	20 	15 	This was an Empty Arena match that aired on tape delay as a special during halftime of Super Bowl XXXIII on January 31, 1999, the date WWE recognizes as the beginning of Mankind's reign. 	1 	
45 	The Rock 	February 15, 1999 	Raw 	Birmingham, AL 	3 	41 	41 	This was a ladder match. 	3 	
46 	Stone Cold Steve Austin 	March 28, 1999 	WrestleMania XV 	Philadelphia, PA 	3 	56 	56 	This was a no disqualification match with Mankind as the guest referee. 	4 	
47 	The Undertaker 	May 23, 1999 	Over the Edge 	Kansas City, MO 	3 	36 	36 	Both Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon were the guest referees. 	3 	
48 	Stone Cold Steve Austin 	June 28, 1999 	Raw 	Charlotte, NC 	4 	55 	55 	If The Undertaker had gotten himself disqualified, he would have lost the championship. 	2 	
49 	Mankind 	August 22, 1999 	SummerSlam 	Minneapolis, MN 	3 	1 	1 	This was a triple threat match also involving Triple H. Jesse Ventura was the guest referee. 	0 	
50 	Triple H 	August 23, 1999 	Raw 	Ames, IA 	1 	22 	24 	Shane McMahon was the guest referee. WWE recognizes Triple H's reign as ending on September 16, 1999, when the following episode aired on tape delay. 	1 	
51 	Vince McMahon 	September 14, 1999 	SmackDown! 	Las Vegas, NV 	1 	6 	4 	Shane McMahon was the guest referee. WWE recognizes Vince McMahon's reign as beginning on September 16, 1999, when the episode aired on tape delay. 	0 	
— 	Vacated 	September 20, 1999 	Raw 	Houston, TX 	— 	— 	— 	Mr. McMahon vacated the title due to the Fully Loaded stipulation after losing his feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin, who defeated The Undertaker at the event and forced McMahon to no longer appear on WWF television. 	— 	
52 	Triple H 	September 26, 1999 	Unforgiven 	Charlotte, NC 	2 	49 	49 	This was a six-pack challenge for the vacant title, also involving Big Show, The British Bulldog, Kane, Mankind, and The Rock. Stone Cold Steve Austin was the special outside enforcer. 	4 	
53 	Big Show 	November 14, 1999 	Survivor Series 	Detroit, MI 	1 	50 	50 	This was a triple threat match also involving The Rock. Stone Cold Steve Austin had originally been scheduled to take part in the match, but he did not participate after being (in storyline) run over by a car in the parking garage earlier in the night and was replaced by Big Show. 	4 	
54 	Triple H 	January 3, 2000 	Raw 	Miami, FL 	3 	118 	118 	 	4 	
55 	The Rock 	April 30, 2000 	Backlash 	Washington, D.C. 	4 	21 	21 	Shane McMahon was the guest referee. 	4 	
56 	Triple H 	May 21, 2000 	Judgment Day 	Louisville, KY 	4 	35 	35 	This was a 60-minute Iron Man match which Triple H won 6–5 with Shawn Michaels as the guest referee. 	4 	
57 	The Rock 	June 25, 2000 	King of the Ring 	Boston, MA 	5 	119 	119 	This was a six-man tag team match with Kane, The Rock, and The Undertaker vs. Triple H, Shane McMahon, and Vince McMahon. Pre-match stipulation stated if the team of The Rock, Kane and Undertaker won whoever got the fall would win the title. The Rock pinned Vince to win Triple H's title. 	4 	
58 	Kurt Angle 	October 22, 2000 	No Mercy 	Albany, NY 	1 	126 	126 	This was a no disqualification match. 	4 	
59 	The Rock 	February 25, 2001 	No Way Out 	Las Vegas, NV 	6 	35 	35 	After the WWF purchased World Championship Wrestling(WCW) in March 2001, the WCW Championship became a second concurrently active world championship in the WWF. By November 2001, the WCW title was renamed to World Championship. 	4 	
60 	Stone Cold Steve Austin 	April 1, 2001 	WrestleMania X-Seven 	Houston, TX 	5 	175 	175 	This was a no disqualification match. 	4 	
61 	Kurt Angle 	September 23, 2001 	Unforgiven 	Pittsburgh, PA 	2 	15 	15 	 	0 	
62 	Stone Cold Steve Austin 	October 8, 2001 	Raw 	Indianapolis, IN 	6 	62 	62 	 	 	
63 	Chris Jericho 	December 9, 2001 	Vengeance 	San Diego, CA 	1 	98 	98 	Earlier the same night, Jericho defeated World Champion The Rock for that title. By defeating Stone Cold Steve Austin for the WWF Championship, Jericho unified both titles to become the first-ever undisputed WWF world champion. The World Championship was retired while the WWF Championship became known as the Undisputed WWF Championship. 	4 	
64 	Triple H 	March 17, 2002 	WrestleMania X8 	Toronto, ON, Canada 	5 	35 	35 	In late March 2002, due to the WWF's roster having doubled in size, the brand extension began, splitting the roster between the Raw and SmackDown brands, represented by the TV shows of the same name. Championships were assigned to be exclusive to a specific brand, with the exception of the Undisputed WWF Championship and the WWF Women's Championship, which were non-exclusive at this time. 	4 	
65 	Hollywood Hulk Hogan 	April 21, 2002 	Backlash 	Kansas City, MO 	6 	28 	28 	After the WWF was renamed World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) due to a lawsuit by the World Wide Fund for Nature on May 6, 2002, the title was also renamed Undisputed WWE Championship and then WWE Undisputed Championship. 	4 	
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) 	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) 	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) 	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) 	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) 	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) 	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) 	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) 	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) 	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) 	World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
66 	The Undertaker 	May 19, 2002 	Judgment Day 	Nashville, TN 	4 	63 	63 	 	4 	
67 	The Rock 	July 21, 2002 	Vengeance 	Detroit, MI 	7 	35 	35 	This was a triple threat match also involving Kurt Angle. 	4 	
68 	Brock Lesnar 	August 25, 2002 	SummerSlam 	Uniondale, NY 	1 	84 	83 	The following night, Lesnar signed a deal to appear exclusively on the SmackDown brand, making the championship exclusive to the brand. The World Heavyweight Championship was then created for the Raw brand and awarded to Triple H, who was Lesnar's number one contender. On September 2, 2002, the WWE Undisputed Championship became the WWE Championship as it was no longer "undisputed". 	4 	
WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown
69 	Big Show 	November 17, 2002 	Survivor Series 	New York, NY 	2 	28 	28 	 	4 	
70 	Kurt Angle 	December 15, 2002 	Armageddon 	Sunrise, FL 	3 	105 	105 	 	4 	
71 	Brock Lesnar 	March 30, 2003 	WrestleMania XIX 	Seattle, WA 	2 	119 	118 	 	4 	
72 	Kurt Angle 	July 27, 2003 	Vengeance 	Denver, CO 	4 	51 	53 	This was a triple threat match also involving Big Show. WWE recognizes Angle's reign as ending on September 18, 2003, when the following episode aired on tape delay. 	4 	
73 	Brock Lesnar 	September 16, 2003 	SmackDown! 	Raleigh, NC 	3 	152 	150 	This was a 60-minute Iron Man match. WWE recognizes Lesnar's reign as beginning on September 18, 2003, when the episode aired on tape delay. 	4 	
74 	Eddie Guerrero 	February 15, 2004 	No Way Out 	Daly City, CA 	1 	133 	133 	 	4 	
75 	John "Bradshaw" Layfield 	June 27, 2004 	The Great American Bash 	Norfolk, VA 	1 	280 	280 	This was a Texas bullrope match. 	4 	
76 	John Cena 	April 3, 2005 	WrestleMania 21 	Los Angeles, CA 	1 	280 	280 	The title became exclusive to the Raw brand following the 2005 WWE Draft Lottery. 	4 	
WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw
77 	Edge 	January 8, 2006 	New Year's Revolution 	Albany, NY 	1 	21 	21 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. 	4 	
78 	John Cena 	January 29, 2006 	Royal Rumble 	Miami, FL 	2 	133 	133 	 	4 	
79 	Rob Van Dam 	June 11, 2006 	ECW One Night Stand 	New York, NY 	1 	22 	22 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. This was an Extreme Rules match.
The title became property of the new ECW brand due to Van Dam's status as an ECW wrestler. The ECW World Heavyweight Championship was subsequently reactivated for the brand and awarded to Van Dam, who became the only wrestler to ever hold both titles at the same time. The ECW Championship became a third concurrently active world championship in WWE. 	4 	
WWE: ECW 	WWE: ECW 	WWE: ECW 	WWE: ECW 	WWE: ECW 	WWE: ECW 	WWE: ECW 	WWE: ECW 	WWE: ECW 	WWE: ECW 	WWE: ECW
80 	Edge 	July 3, 2006 	Raw 	Philadelphia, PA 	2 	76 	76 	This was a triple threat match also involving John Cena.
The title became exclusive to the Raw brand due to Edge's status as a Raw wrestler. 	4 	
WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw
81 	John Cena 	September 17, 2006 	Unforgiven 	Toronto, ON, Canada 	3 	380 	380 	This was a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match.
Had Cena lost, he would have had to leave the Raw brand. 	4 	
— 	Vacated 	October 2, 2007 	ECW 	Dayton, OH 	— 	— 	— 	The title was vacated when John Cena suffered a torn right pectoral tendon. 	— 	
82 	Randy Orton 	October 7, 2007 	No Mercy 	Rosemont, IL 	1 	<1 	<1 	Orton was originally scheduled to have a Last Man Standing match against John Cena for the title, but due to Cena vacating the title due to a legit injury, Mr. McMahon< awarded it to Orton at the start of the event, and was immediately challenged by Triple H. 	0 	
83 	Triple H 	October 7, 2007 	No Mercy 	Rosemont, IL 	6 	<1 	<1 	After winning the championship, Mr. McMahon would tell Triple H that his previously booked match against Umaga at that event would now be for the WWE Championship. After defeating Umaga, McMahon stated that Randy Orton was invoking his rematch clause and scheduled a rematch for the same night. 	1 	
84 	Randy Orton 	October 7, 2007 	No Mercy 	Rosemont, IL 	2 	203 	203 	This was a Last Man Standing match. 	4 	
85 	Triple H 	April 27, 2008 	Backlash 	Baltimore, MD 	7 	210 	210 	This was a fatal four-way elimination match also involving John Cena and John "Bradshaw" Layfield.
The title became exclusive to the SmackDown brand following the 2008 WWE Draft. 	4 	
WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown
86 	Edge 	November 23, 2008 	Survivor Series 	Boston, MA 	3 	21 	21 	This was a triple threat match also involving Vladimir Kozlov. Jeff Hardy had originally been scheduled to take part in the match, but he 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. 	4 	
87 	Jeff Hardy 	December 14, 2008 	Armageddon 	Buffalo, NY 	1 	42 	42 	This was a triple threat match also involving Triple H. 	4 	
88 	Edge 	January 25, 2009 	Royal Rumble 	Detroit, MI 	4 	21 	21 	This was a no disqualification match. 	4 	
89 	Triple H 	February 15, 2009 	No Way Out 	Seattle, WA 	8 	70 	70 	This was an Elimination Chamber match also involving Big Show, Jeff Hardy, The Undertaker, and Vladimir Kozlov. The title became exclusive to the Raw brand following the 2009 WWE Draft. 	4 	
WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw
90 	Randy Orton 	April 26, 2009 	Backlash 	Providence, RI 	3 	42 	42 	This was a six-man tag team match with The Legacy (Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Ted DiBiase) against Batista, Triple H, and Shane McMahon. Orton pinned Triple H to win the title. 	4 	
91 	Batista 	June 7, 2009 	Extreme Rules 	New Orleans, LA 	1 	2 	2 	This was a steel cage match. 	0 	
— 	Vacated 	June 9, 2009 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	The title was vacated when Batista suffered a torn left biceps. 	— 	
92 	Randy Orton 	June 15, 2009 	Raw 	Charlotte, NC 	4 	90 	90 	This was a fatal four-way match for the vacant title also involving Big Show, John Cena, and Triple H. 	4 	
93 	John Cena 	September 13, 2009 	Breaking Point 	Montreal, QC, Canada 	4 	21 	21 	This was an "I quit" match.
Had anyone interfered on Randy Orton's behalf, he would have forfeited the title. 	0 	
94 	Randy Orton 	October 4, 2009 	Hell in a Cell 	Newark, NJ 	5 	21 	21 	This was a Hell in a Cell match. 	0 	
95 	John Cena 	October 25, 2009 	Bragging Rights 	Pittsburgh, PA 	5 	49 	49 	This was a 60-minute Anything Goes Iron Man match in which Cena won 6–5.
Had Cena lost, he would have had to leave the Raw brand. 	4 	
96 	Sheamus 	December 13, 2009 	TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 	San Antonio, TX 	1 	70 	70 	This was a tables match. 	4 	
97 	John Cena 	February 21, 2010 	Elimination Chamber 	St. Louis, MO 	6 	<1 	<1 	This was an Elimination Chamber match also involving Kofi Kingston, Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase Jr., and Triple H. 	0 	
98 	Batista 	February 21, 2010 	Elimination Chamber 	St. Louis, MO 	2 	35 	35 	Batista was transferred to the Raw brand after winning the title. 	2 	
99 	John Cena 	March 28, 2010 	WrestleMania XXVI 	Glendale, AZ 	7 	84 	84 	 	4 	
100 	Sheamus 	June 20, 2010 	Fatal 4-Way 	Uniondale, NY 	2 	91 	91 	This was a fatal four-way match also involving Edge and Randy Orton. 	4 	
101 	Randy Orton 	September 19, 2010 	Night of Champions 	Rosemont, IL 	6 	64 	64 	This was a six-pack elimination challenge also involving Chris Jericho, Edge, John Cena, and Wade Barrett, who decided to cash-in his title shot due to winning the first season of NXT. 	4 	
102 	The Miz 	November 22, 2010 	Raw 	Orlando, FL 	1 	160 	160 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. In April 2011, WWE ceased using its full name with the "WWE" abbreviation becoming an orphaned initialism. 	4 	
103 	John Cena 	May 1, 2011 	Extreme Rules 	Tampa, FL 	8 	77 	77 	This was a triple threat steel cage match also involving John Morrison. 	4 	
104 	CM Punk 	July 17, 2011 	Money in the Bank 	Rosemont, IL 	1 	28 	28 	Punk (kayfabe) left WWE the day after with the championship, but he returned on the July 25, 2011 episode of Raw and his reign was deemed to continue through this period. 	1 	
— 	Vacated 	July 18, 2011 	Raw 	Green Bay, WI 	— 	— 	— 	The title was vacated due to CM Punk leavingWWE.
This vacancy is no longer recognized due to Punk's return on the July 25, 2011 episode of Raw. 	— 	
105 	Rey Mysterio 	July 25, 2011 	Raw 	Hampton, VA 	1 	<1 	<1 	Defeated The Miz in a tournament final to crown a new champion.
CM Punk was also recognized as WWE Champion. 	0 	
106 	John Cena 	July 25, 2011 	Raw 	Hampton, VA 	9 	20 	20 	As the former champion prior to CM Punk, Cena was granted a title match against Rey Mysterio by Triple H. Punk was also recognized as WWE Champion. 	4 	
† 	CM Punk 	August 14, 2011 	SummerSlam 	Los Angeles, CA 	1 	— 	— 	Punk defeated John Cena in a match to determine the undisputed champion. Triple H was the guest referee. This is considered a continuation of Punk's first reign. 	1 	
107 	Alberto Del Rio 	August 14, 2011 	SummerSlam 	Los Angeles, CA 	1 	35 	35 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract after CM Punk defeated John Cena to determine the undisputed champion.
On August 29, 2011, the first brand extension ended, allowing the WWE Champion to appear on both Raw and SmackDown. 	2 	
WWE (unbranded) 	WWE (unbranded) 	WWE (unbranded) 	WWE (unbranded) 	WWE (unbranded) 	WWE (unbranded) 	WWE (unbranded) 	WWE (unbranded) 	WWE (unbranded) 	WWE (unbranded) 	WWE (unbranded)
108 	John Cena 	September 18, 2011 	Night of Champions 	Buffalo, NY 	10 	14 	14 	 	1 	
109 	Alberto Del Rio 	October 2, 2011 	Hell in a Cell 	New Orleans, LA 	2 	49 	49 	This was a triple threat Hell in a Cell match also involving CM Punk. 	4 	
110 	CM Punk 	November 20, 2011 	Survivor Series 	New York, NY 	2 	434 	434 	 	20 	
111 	The Rock 	January 27, 2013 	Royal Rumble 	Phoenix, AZ 	8 	70 	70 	CM Punk had initially won, but the match was restarted by Vince McMahon due to interference by The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins). 	4 	
112 	John Cena 	April 7, 2013 	WrestleMania 29 	East Rutherford, NJ 	11 	133 	133 	 	4 	
113 	Daniel Bryan 	August 18, 2013 	SummerSlam 	Los Angeles, CA 	1 	<1 	<1 	Triple H was the guest referee. 	0 	
114 	Randy Orton 	August 18, 2013 	SummerSlam 	Los Angeles, CA 	7 	28 	28 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. Triple H was the guest referee. 	4 	
115 	Daniel Bryan 	September 15, 2013 	Night of Champions 	Detroit, MI 	2 	1 	1 	 	0 	
— 	Vacated 	September 16, 2013 	Raw 	Cleveland, OH 	— 	— 	— 	The title was vacated after a controversial finish when Daniel Bryan defeated Randy Orton to win the title. 	— 	
116 	Randy Orton 	October 27, 2013 	Hell in a Cell 	Miami, FL 	8 	161 	161 	Orton defeated Daniel Bryan in a Hell in a Cell match to win the vacant title with Shawn Michaels as the guest referee.
On December 15, 2013 at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, Orton defeated John Cena in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match to unify the World Heavyweight Championship with the WWE Championship. The World Heavyweight Championship was then retired and the WWE Championship became known as the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. 	4 	
117 	Daniel Bryan 	April 6, 2014 	WrestleMania XXX 	New Orleans, LA 	3 	64 	65 	This was a triple threat match also involving Batista, whom Bryan forced to submit to win the match. 	4 	
— 	Vacated 	June 9, 2014 	Raw 	Minneapolis, MN 	— 	— 	— 	Daniel Bryan was stripped of the title due to a neck injury. 	— 	
118 	John Cena 	June 29, 2014 	Money in the Bank 	Boston, MA 	12 	49 	49 	This was an eight-way ladder match for the vacant title also involving Alberto Del Rio, Bray Wyatt, Cesaro, Kane, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, and Sheamus. 	4 	
119 	Brock Lesnar 	August 17, 2014 	SummerSlam 	Los Angeles, CA 	4 	224 	223 	 	4 	
120 	Seth Rollins 	March 29, 2015 	WrestleMania 31 	Santa Clara, CA 	1 	221 	221 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract during a singles match between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, converting it into a triple threat match and subsequently pinned Reigns to win the match.
WWE has since retrospectively changed to recognizing Rollins' reign ending on November 5, 2015, the date the title was officially vacated. 	4 	
— 	Vacated 	November 5, 2015 	— 	— 	— 	— 	— 	The title was vacated after Seth Rollins suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and a damaged meniscus at a live event in Dublin, Ireland. 	— 	
121 	Roman Reigns 	November 22, 2015 	Survivor Series 	Atlanta, GA 	1 	<1 	<1 	Defeated Dean Ambrose in a tournament finalto win the vacant title. 	0 	
122 	Sheamus 	November 22, 2015 	Survivor Series 	Atlanta, GA 	3 	22 	22 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. 	4 	
123 	Roman Reigns 	December 14, 2015 	Raw 	Philadelphia, PA 	2 	41 	41 	This was a title vs. career match. 	4 	
124 	Triple H 	January 24, 2016 	Royal Rumble 	Orlando, FL 	9 	70 	70 	This was the Royal Rumble match in which Roman Reigns defended the title and entered at number one. Triple H eliminated Reigns before lastly eliminating Dean Ambrose to win the title. 	4 	
125 	Roman Reigns 	April 3, 2016 	WrestleMania 32 	Arlington, TX 	3 	77 	77 	 	4 	
126 	Seth Rollins 	June 19, 2016 	Money in the Bank 	Las Vegas, NV 	2 	<1 	<1 	 	0 	
127 	Dean Ambrose 	June 19, 2016 	Money in the Bank 	Las Vegas, NV 	1 	84 	84 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and the title's name reverted to WWE Championship. The brand extension returned and the title became exclusive to the SmackDown brand following the 2016 WWE Draft. The WWE Universal Championship was created for the Raw brand; the WWE Championship was then renamed to WWE World Championship. 	4 	
WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown 	WWE: SmackDown
128 	AJ Styles 	September 11, 2016 	Backlash 	Richmond, VA 	1 	140 	140 	In December 2016, the title's name reverted to WWE Championship. 	4 	
129 	John Cena 	January 29, 2017 	Royal Rumble 	San Antonio, TX 	13 	14 	14 	 	4 	
130 	Bray Wyatt 	February 12, 2017 	Elimination Chamber 	Phoenix, AZ 	1 	49 	49 	This was an Elimination Chamber match also involving AJ Styles, Baron Corbin, Dean Ambrose, and The Miz. 	4 	
131 	Randy Orton 	April 2, 2017 	WrestleMania 33 	Orlando, FL 	9 	49 	49 	 	4 	
132 	Jinder Mahal 	May 21, 2017 	Backlash 	Rosemont, IL 	1 	170 	170 	 	4 	
133 	AJ Styles 	November 7, 2017 	SmackDown 	Manchester, England 	2 	371 	371 	 	16 	
134 	Daniel Bryan 	November 13, 2018 	SmackDown 	St. Louis, MO 	4 	145 	144 	 	4 	
135 	Kofi Kingston 	April 7, 2019 	WrestleMania 35 	East Rutherford, NJ 	1 	180 	180 	 	4 	
136 	Brock Lesnar 	October 4, 2019 	SmackDown's 20th Anniversary 	Los Angeles, CA 	5 	173 	184 	On the November 1, 2019 episode of SmackDown, Lesnar quit SmackDown and went to Raw, taking the title with him.
WWE recognizes this reign as ending on April 5, 2020, when the match aired on tape delay. 	4 	
WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw 	WWE: Raw
137 	Drew McIntyre 	March 25, 2020 	WrestleMania 36Part 2 	Orlando, FL 	1 	214 	203 	WrestleMania was taped on March 25 and 26, and was unclear in which day the match took place. McIntyre confirmed in his memoir, A Chosen Destiny: My Story, that the WWE Championship match was taped on March 25.
WWE recognizes this reign as beginning on April 5, 2020, when the match aired on tape delay. 	4 	
138 	Randy Orton 	October 25, 2020 	Hell in a Cell 	Orlando, FL 	10 	22 	22 	This was a Hell in a Cell match. 	0 	
139 	Drew McIntyre 	November 16, 2020 	Raw 	Orlando, FL 	2 	97 	97 	This was a no disqualification and no countout match. 	4 	
140 	The Miz 	February 21, 2021 	Elimination Chamber 	St. Petersburg, FL 	2 	8 	8 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. 	3 	
141 	Bobby Lashley 	March 1, 2021 	Raw 	St. Petersburg, FL 	1 	196 	195 	This was a lumberjack match. 	4 	
142 	Big E 	September 13, 2021 	Raw 	Boston, MA 	1 	110 	110 	Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract.
Big E was transferred to the Raw brand after winning the title. 	4 	
143 	Brock Lesnar 	January 1, 2022 	WWE Day 1 	Atlanta, GA 	6 	50+ 	50+ 	This was a fatal five-way match also involving Bobby Lashley, Kevin Owens, and Seth Rollins. 	3 	
== Combined reigns ==
Two-time champion Bruno Sammartino, whose first reign is the longest reign at 2,803 days, and he has the longest combined reign at 4,040 days
Record 13-time champion John Cena
As of January 29, 2022.
Key
Rec	Recognized by the promotion
† 	Current champion; reign changing daily
<1 	Reign was less than a day
Rank	Champion 	No. of reigns	 	 	
Rank	Champion 	No. of reigns	Actual Combined days	Combined days Recognized
by WWE	Combined
1 	Bruno Sammartino 	2 	4,040 	4,040	300
2 	Hulk Hogan 	6 	2,185 	2,188	218
3 	Bob Backlund 	2 	2,121 	2,138	90
4 	John Cena 	13 	1,254 	1,254	75
5 	Pedro Morales 	1 	1,027 	1,027	200
6 	Brock Lesnar † 	6 	802+ 	808+ 	3
7 	Randy Orton 	10 	680 	680 	5
8 	Bret Hart 	5 	654 	654 	5
9 	Triple H 	9 	609 	611 	6
10 	Stone Cold Steve Austin 	6 	529 	529 	6
11 	Randy Savage 	2 	520 	520 	25
12 	AJ Styles 	2 	511 	511 	15
13 	CM Punk 	2 	462 	462 	30
14 	Shawn Michaels 	3 	396 	396 	5
15 	The Rock 	8 	367 	378 	18
16 	Diesel 	1 	358 	358 	15
17 	Drew McIntyre 	2 	311 	300 	5
18 	Kurt Angle 	4 	297 	299 	5
19 	Superstar Billy Graham 	1 	296 	296 	15
20 	The Ultimate Warrior 	1 	293 	293 	5
21 	Yokozuna 	2 	280 	280 	5
21 	John "Bradshaw" Layfield	1 	280 	280 	5
23 	The Undertaker 	4 	238 	238 	5
24 	Seth Rollins 	2 	221 	221 	5
25 	Daniel Bryan 	4 	210 	210 	5
26 	Bobby Lashley 	1 	196 	195 	5
27 	Sheamus 	3 	183 	183 	5
28 	Kofi Kingston 	1 	180 	180 	5
29 	Jinder Mahal 	1 	170 	170 	5
30 	The Miz 	2 	168 	168 	5
31 	Edge 	4 	139 	139 	5
32 	Eddie Guerrero 	1 	133 	133 	5
33 	Roman Reigns 	3 	118 	118 	5
34 	Ric Flair 	2 	118 	118 	5
35 	Big E 	1 	110 	110 	5
36 	Chris Jericho 	1 	98 	98 	5
37 	Sycho Sid 	2 	97 	97 	5
38 	Alberto Del Rio 	2 	84 	84 	5
38 	Dean Ambrose 	1 	84 	84 	5
40 	Big Show 	2 	78 	78 	5
41 	Sgt. Slaughter 	1 	64 	64 	5
42 	Bray Wyatt 	1 	49 	49 	5
43 	Mankind 	3 	47 	36 	5
44 	Jeff Hardy 	1 	42 	42 	5
45 	Batista 	2 	37 	37 	5
46 	Buddy Rogers 	1 	36 	22 	5
47 	The Iron Sheik 	1 	28 	28 	5
48 	Rob Van Dam 	1 	22 	22 	5
49 	Ivan Koloff 	1 	21 	21 	5
50 	Stan Stasiak 	1 	9 	9 	5
— 	Ted DiBiase 	— 	8 	— 	1
— 	Antonio Inoki 	— 	6 	— 	—
51 	Vince McMahon 	1 	6 	4 	0
52 	Kane 	1 	1 	1 	0
53 	Rey Mysterio 	1 	<1 	<1 	0
53 	André the Giant 	1 	<1 	<1 	0
== See also ==
== References ==
== External links ==