Since 1963, 55 males have held the place WWE Championship - the promotion's most important championship - for a complete of 147 reigns. Throughout this era, we noticed these starters assist outline their period. Whether or not it was Hulk Hogan ushering within the 'Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection' of the Eighties or John Cena being the poster boy for the Ruthless Aggression period, many males have earned their place in historical past whereas sporting the belt.
Reaching the top on the world's greatest sports activities leisure firm often means immortality and, ultimately, a spot within the WWE Corridor of Fame. Nevertheless, wanting past all-time legends like Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart or The Undertaker, there are a handful of former champions who've fallen into oblivion.
Whether or not their names have been forgotten or followers have merely ignored their contributions as champions, these stars have confirmed that successful gold doesn't at all times assure any stage of immortality.
10
Sheamus
It's onerous to imagine, however Sheamus has held the WWE World Title 3 times since becoming a member of the primary roster in 2009.. That's greater than icons like Randy Savage or Pedro Morales or trendy superstars like AJ Types and CM Punk. Nonetheless, most of those titles got here and went shortly - early in his tenure with World Wrestling Leisure.
On the similar time, he didn't have a career-defining championship reign throughout this era. As he principally dropped out of the primary occasion scene for a number of years, some followers might have forgotten these 'blink and also you'll miss it' moments the place he held the belt.
Ignored or not, there is no such thing as a doubt that the Irishman will probably be a future Corridor of Famer, and he will probably be remembered as one of many prime worldwide opponents to have graced a WWE ring. He's nonetheless going sturdy at present, chasing the one title that has eluded him in his profession - the Intercontinental Championship.
9
Bobby Lashley
Regardless of being a multi-time WWE Champion and one of the respectable fight athletes and wrestlers of all time, Bobby Lashley has usually been ignored and underestimated by the corporate. He tangled with among the greatest the promotion needed to supply, however by no means reached the extent of somebody like Brock Lesnar.
Whereas folks might keep in mind he had the belt, it's onerous to call something particular about his reigns.. For essentially the most half, Lashley's WWE profession will seemingly be outlined by his 'Battle of the Billionaires' match in Wrestlemaniawhen he served as in-ring consultant for future US President Donald Trump towards Umaga and Vince McMahon. His time on the helm of the corporate, nonetheless, is sort of an afterthought.
8
The Miz
The oft-maligned Miz frequently reminds followers that he's a two-time WWE World Champion. So whereas his time with the title isn't that forgettable, it's extra like 'underrated'. Due to his conceitedness and foolishness, The Miz is commonly not seen as a critical wrestler. That's why many followers and critics mocked him for successful the belt for the primary time.. To them, he was only a flash within the pan. His transient second reign didn't persuade them a lot both.
At this level, The Miz has been with the corporate for round 20 years and has achieved fairly a bit in that point. Each inside and out of doors the ring, he was an envoy for WWE and was a worthy champion. Nevertheless, followers usually nonetheless see him as that obnoxious child who joined the promotion a very long time in the past.
7
Pedro Morais
Morales held the (then) WWWF Championship within the mid-Seventies for a complete of 1,027 days. Though it was his solely time as head of the promotion, he offered a gentle hand within the years following Bruno Sammartino's unbelievable eight-year profession. He additionally helped fill Madison Sq. Backyard with Latino followers, who noticed him as your hero.
He would lose the belt to veteran Stan Stasiak in a end so controversial that the choice was not introduced over the home microphone. The promoters have been very afraid that the group would possibly riot. Nevertheless, as Morales' recognition declined, so did his place on the cardboard. Many followers at present keep in mind him from the early to mid-80s when he was primarily booked as a mid-card artist.
6
Jeff Hardy
On the flip of the century, the concept that tag group performer Jeff Hardy would ever win the WWE Championship was virtually ridiculous. At all times undersized - and an underdog - he was a fan favourite however lacked most of the qualities of the heavyweights who preceded him.
By 2008, nonetheless, The Charismatic Enigma had risen up the promotion's singles charts. Hardy would discover himself in a Triple Menace title match with Triple H and Edge. The daredevil would obtain a stunning victory. One which opened the door for performers of all sizes and kinds to aspire to be WWE Champions in the future.
5
Dean Ambrosio
This rating will not be the fault of Dean Ambrose (now, after all, referred to as Jon Moxley in AEW). It was the quick length of the championship that actually nullified his reign and his character. It was stated that this 'failure to launch' was the impetus for Ambrose to ultimately go away WWE.
It's additionally one of many most important the reason why his time on the prime is so usually forgotten. Folks keep in mind his Cash within the Financial institution briefcase haul to defeat Seth Rollins, however the subsequent 83 days are forgettable. It appeared just like the title reign ended too quickly and that Ambrose was taken down simply as he began to achieve momentum. Whereas his championship wasn't a complete waste, it was positively too transient.
4
Stan Stasiak
9 days. That's how lengthy Stan 'The Man' Stasiak's regular handheld the title within the mid-Seventies. He's usually labeled a “transitional champion.” On this case, the Grasp of Coronary heart Punch was being trusted to ease the belt away from Pedro Morales and again to former champion Bruno Sammartino.
Make no mistake, regardless of his quick reign, it was nonetheless a prestigious place to carry. Promoter Vince McMahon Sr. had religion that Stasiak would do the job honorably and with out complaints. Stan The Man did simply that and ultimately returned to the upper-intermediate stage, earlier than returning to his dwelling turf of Portland, Oregon. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Corridor of Fame's Legends Wing in 2018.
3
Mick Foley
Mick Foley could also be WWE's most endearing and unforgettable determine of all time. He's a hardcore legend, a Corridor of Famer, a best-selling creator, and an all-around nice man. And for some time, within the late 90s, he traded the world title with The Rock.
Though Foley held the title 3 times, it was just for a complete of 36 days, as acknowledged by the promotion. Though Foley, and his alter ego Mankind, will at all times be remembered by the WWE Universe, it's for causes aside from him holding the most important title on this planet.
When followers image Foley, they keep in mind his cage fall at Hell in a Cell, his use of Mr. Socko, or his legendary tag group with The Rock. Nevertheless, he's hardly ever talked about among the many nice WWE champions.
2
Ivan Koloff
"You can hear a pin drop." That's what has usually been stated about Ivan Koloff's victory over Bruno Sammartino in 1971. A surprised crowd at Madison Sq. Backyard sat in silence as they witnessed one thing they may hardly imagine: the top of his historic eight-year reign. Bruno Sammartino for the title.
Koloff would even be thought of a transitional champion in historical past yearbooks, however he was a talented grappler with respectable power. A local of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, he would undertake the evil Russian persona of Ivan Koloff and develop into a dependable and precious heel in quite a few promotions for years.
Sadly, he solely held the WWE Title for 21 days earlier than shedding it to Pedro Morales. Many followers at present would most likely acknowledge him as 'Uncle Ivan', the mentor of his story's nephew, Nikita Koloff. Only a few can keep in mind the night time he stunned Sammartino – and the world – on a chilly New York night time.
1
The Iron Sheikh
Many solely keep in mind The Iron Sheik as the person who misplaced the WWE Championship to Hulk Hogan. And for good motive. This ushered within the Period of Hulkamania and a sea change in the best way we seen wrestling. The Sheik would stay with the promotion for years after shedding the title, however appeared primarily in a tag group with Nikolai Volkoff and later as a supervisor.
The explanation this title reign can't be forgotten is that it's not solely a bridge between two iconic champions - Bob Backlund and Hogan - but in addition the embrace of 'Rock 'n' Wrestling and the 80s cartoon period. It additionally meant the change in the best way Vince McMahon Jr deliberate to do enterprise in comparison with his father.
Though the Iranian champion was a respectable Olympic wrestler and an old-school throwback, he's usually remembered extra for his methods than his work within the ring.. Nevertheless, he was a brutal strategist with ungodly power. He was additionally apparently very loyal to McMahon and the promotion: it's rumored that rival promoter Verne Gagne allegedly supplied the Iron Sheik $100,000 to betray Hogan, break his leg and retain the title. The Sheikh refused, and the remaining, as they are saying, is WWE historical past.