List of World Heavyweight Champions (WWE)

This is the title history of the World Heavyweight Championship. The title was introduced in 2002 when WWE bought out World Championship Wrestling WCW. It was retired and made into one with the WWE Championship on December 16, 2013 when Randy Orton defeated John Cena at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs. It does not share the title history of the new World Heavyweight Championship that was created in 2023.

 Title History 

 #WrestlersReignDateDaysheldLocationEventNotesRefMilwaukee, WIRawAwarded the championship by Eric Bischoff.
At No Mercy on October 20, 2002, Triple H defeated Intercontinental Champion Kane to unify the Intercontinental Championship into the World Heavyweight Championship.New York, NYSurvivor SeriesThis was the first ever Elimination Chamber match, also involving  Chris Jericho, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, and Kane.Sunrise, FLArmageddonThis was a Three Stages of Hell match.Hershey, PAUnforgivenThis was a Career vs. Title match.Orlando, FLArmageddonThis was a Triple Threat match also involving Kane.New York, NYWrestleMania XXThis was a Triple Threat match also involving Shawn Michaels. Benoit became the first Canadian to win the title.Toronto, ON, CanadaSummerSlamOrton became the youngest world champion in the history of WWE.Portland, ORUnforgiven—VacatedCharlotte, NCRawThe championship was vacated after a double pinfall happened in a triple threat match, also involving Chris Benoit and Edge.San Juan, Puerto RicoNew Year's RevolutionTriple H beat Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Batista, and Edge in an Elimination Chamber match with Shawn Michaels as the Special Guest Referee to win the vacant championship.Los Angeles, CAWrestleMania 21Batista was drafted to the SmackDown! brand as the last pick on June 30, 2005, making the title exclusive to that brand.—VacatedPhiladelphia, PASmackDown!Batista vacated the title after he suffered a triceps injury.
Aired on tape delay on January 13, 2006.Philadelphia, PASmackDown!Angle won the vacant championship in a 20 man battle royal, last eliminating Mark Henry.Rosemont, ILWrestleMania 22This was a Triple Threat match also involving Randy Orton.Indianapolis, INThe Great American BashBooker T became the first African American to win the title.Philadelphia, PASurvivor SeriesThis was a Last Chance match.Detroit, MIWrestleMania 23This was a title vs streak match in which the Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania went up to 15-0.Pittsburgh, PASmackDown!Edge cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to earn the right to challenge for the title.
Aired on tape delay on May 8, 2007.—VacatedLaredo, TXSmackDown!Edge vacated the title after he suffered a pectoral injury.
Aired on tape delay on July 20, 2007.Laredo, TXSmackDown!Khali won the vacant championship in a 20-man battle royal and became first Indian to win the title.Memphis, TNUnforgivenThis was a Triple Threat match also involving Rey Mysterio.Pittsburgh, PAArmageddonThis was a Triple Threat match also involving The Undertaker.Orlando, FLWrestleMania XXIVThis was a title vs streak match in which the Undertaker's WrestleMania undefeated streak went up to 16-0.
WWE lists the end of Undertaker's reign on May 2, 2008, when the following episode aired on tape delay.—VacatedAtlantic City, NJSmackDownSmackDown's General Manager Vickie Guerrero stripped The Undertaker of the title for using the Hell's Gate submission hold, which she said was dangerous.
Aired on tape delay on May 2, 2008.San Diego, CAOne Night StandEdge beat The Undertaker in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match to win the vacant title.Oklahoma City, OKRawThis was Punks Money in the Bank cash-in match. CM Punk was a part of the Raw brand, so his win made the title exclusive to that brand again.Cleveland, OHUnforgiven (2008)This was a Championship Scramble, also involving John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Batista, Rey Mysterio, and Kane. Jericho was a late replacement for champion CM Punk, who was attacked by Legacy before the match.Phoenix, AZCyber Sunday"Stone Cold" Steve Austin was the Special Guest Referee.Tampa, FLRawThis was a Steel Cage match.Boston, MASurvivor SeriesSeattle, WANo Way OutThis was an Elimination Chamber match also involving Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, Mike Knox, and Kane. 
The title became exclusive to SmackDown again because Edge was a part of that brand.Houston, TXWrestleMania XXVThis was a Triple Threat match also involving The Big Show.
The title became exclusive to Raw again because Cena was a part of that brand.Providence, RIBacklashThis was a Last Man Standing match.
The title became exclusive to SmackDown again because Edge was a part of that brand.<1New Orleans, LAExtreme RulesThis was a Ladder match.This was Punk's Money in the Bank cash-in match. Philadelphia, PANight of ChampionsLos Angeles, CASummerSlamThis was a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match.Newark, NJHell in a CellThis was a Hell in a Cell match.St. Louis, MOElimination ChamberThis was an Elimination Chamber match, also involving John Morrison, R-Truth, CM Punk and Rey Mysterio.
WWE lists the end of Jericho's reign on April 2, 2010, when the following episode aired on tape delay.Las Vegas, NVSmackDownThis was Swagger's Money in the Bank cash-in match. Swagger was drafted to SmackDown following his win.
WWE lists the start of Swagger's reign on April 2, 2010, when the episode aired on tape delay.Uniondale, NYFatal 4-WayThis was a Fatal 4-Way match also involving The Big Show and CM Punk.Kansas City, MOMoney in the BankThis was Kane's Money in the Bank cash-in match. Houston, TXTLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsThis was a Fatal 4-Way Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match, also involving Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio.
WWE lists the end of Edge's reign on February 18, 2011, when the following episode aired on tape delay.—VacatedAlbany, NYSmackDownEdge was stripped as a result of using the spear in a banned move match by Vickie Guerrero.
This episode aired on tape delay on February 18, 2011. <1 San Diego, CA SmackDownVickie Guerrero awarded the belt to Ziggler. 
This episode aired on tape delay on February 18, 2011.WWE lists the start of Edge's reign on February 18, 2011 and the end on April 15, 2011. Both episodes aired on tape delay.—VacatedAlbany, NYSmackDownVacated when Edge announced his retirement.
This episode aired on tape delay on April 15, 2011.Tampa, FLExtreme RulesChristian defeated Alberto Del Rio in a Ladder match to win the vacant world championship.
WWE lists the end of Christian's reign on May 6, 2011, when the following episode aired on tape delay.Orlando, FLSmackDownWWE lists the start of Orton's reign on May 6, 2011, when the episode aired on tape delay.Rosemont, ILMoney in the BankDefeated Randy Orton by disqualification after Orton gave him a low-blow in view of the official. The stipulations of the match allowed the title to change hands via disqualification.Los Angeles, CASummerSlamThis was a No Holds Barred Match.Buffalo, NYNight of Champions<1Baltimore, MDTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs This was a chairs match.This was Bryan's Money in the Bank cash-in match. Miami, FL WrestleMania XXVIIISheamus defeated Daniel Bryan in 18 seconds, this was one of the shortest title matches in WWE history..  Atlanta, GA Hell in a Cell  Miami, FL SmackDown!This was a Last Man Standing match.  East Rutherford, NJ RawThis was Ziggler's Money in the Bank cash-in match.  Rosemont, IL Payback  Miami, FL Hell in a Cell <1Houston, TXTLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsThis was a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Winner takes all match, in which Orton also defended his WWE Championship. —Houston, TXTLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsRetired when the title was made into one with the WWE Championship to create the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Combined reigns

RankWrestlerNo. ofreignsCombined daysCombined daysrecognized by WWE1  5 6166112  4 5075033  7  409  4054  2  223 5  1  210 6  3  207 7  3 1601578  1 154153  3 154  152  1 15415311  2 14013812  4 138  13213  1 12612514  3  106 15 1 10510416 1 91 17 1848318 1 82  78 1828120  2  72 21  2  69 22  1 616023  2  30  3124  2 2827  1 

 References 

 Other websites 
 WWE World Heavyweight Title History

Category:Lists of professional wrestlers
Category:World Wrestling Entertainment championships