List of World Heavyweight Champions (WWE)

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Four-time, youngest and final champion Randy Orton

The World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE.

It was established by WWE in 2002 after WWE bought out World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), and split its roster into two franchises, Raw and SmackDown!, in a brand extension.[1][2]

WWE's original world title, the WWE Championship, with which the WCW World Heavyweight Championship had been unified in 2001, was designated to the SmackDown! brand; as a result the World Heavyweight Championship was established for the Raw brand.[3] The World Heavyweight Championship is not a continuation of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, but rather its indirect successor.[4][5] For a list of champions who have held those titles, see the list of WCW World Heavyweight Champions and list of NWA World Heavyweight Champions respectively.

The championship was contested in professional wrestling matches, in which participants execute scripted finishes. The first champion was Triple H, who was awarded the title on September 2, 2002 by Eric Bischoff, then-General Manager of Raw, and he also holds the record for longest combined reign at 616 days. Overall, there have been 25 different official champions, with Edge having the most reigns at seven. The longest single reign was held by Batista, lasting 282 days. The final holder was Randy Orton, who was also the youngest champion at age of 24. The Undertaker was the oldest champion when he won the title for the third time at the age of 44 years.

Title history

Reign The reign number for the specific champion
Location The city in which the title was won
Event The event promoted by the respective promotion in which the title was won
No. Champion Reign Date Days held Location Event Notes Ref.
1 Triple H 1 September 2, 2002 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Milwaukee, WI Raw Awarded the championship by Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff, making him the inaugural champion. He made the first defense that night against Ric Flair. Triple H defeated Intercontinental Champion Kane on October 20, 2002 at No Mercy to unify the Intercontinental Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship. [6][7]
2 Shawn Michaels 1 November 17, 2002 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. New York, NY Survivor Series This was the first ever Elimination Chamber match, also involving Chris Jericho, Booker T, Rob Van Dam and Kane. [8][9]
3 Triple H 2 December 15, 2002 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Sunrise, FL Armageddon This was a Three Stages of Hell match. [10][11]
4 Goldberg 1 September 21, 2003 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Hershey, PA Unforgiven This was a career vs. title match. [12][13]
5 Triple H 3 December 14, 2003 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Orlando, FL Armageddon This was a triple threat match, also involving Kane. [14][15]
6 Chris Benoit 1 March 14, 2004 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. New York, NY WrestleMania XX This was a triple threat match, also involving Shawn Michaels. [16]
7 Randy Orton 1 August 15, 2004 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Toronto, ON SummerSlam [17][18]
8 Triple H 4 September 12, 2004 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Portland, OR Unforgiven [19][20]
— Vacated — December 6, 2004 — Baltimore, MD Raw The championship was vacated after a double fall occurred in a triple threat match, also involving Chris Benoit and Edge. [21][22]
9 Triple H 5 January 9, 2005 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. San Juan, PR New Year's Revolution Defeated Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Batista and Edge in an Elimination Chamber match. Shawn Michaels was guest referee. [21][23]
10 Batista 1 April 3, 2005 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Los Angeles, CA WrestleMania 21 Batista was drafted to the SmackDown! brand on June 30, making the title SmackDown! exclusive. [24][25]
— Vacated — January 10, 2006 — Philadelphia, PA SmackDown! Batista vacated the title after he was sidelined with a legit triceps injury. This episode aired on tape delay on January 13, 2006. [26][27]
11 Kurt Angle 1 January 10, 2006 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Philadelphia, PA SmackDown! Angle won the vacant championship in a 20-man battle royal. This episode aired on tape delay on January 13, 2006. [26][27]
12 Rey Mysterio 1 April 2, 2006 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Rosemont, IL WrestleMania 22 This was a triple threat match, also involving Randy Orton. The championship was referred to as the "World Championship", due to Mysterio not being a heavyweight. [28][29]
13 King Booker 1 July 23, 2006 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Indianapolis, IN The Great American Bash [30][31]
14 Batista 2 November 26, 2006 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Philadelphia, PA Survivor Series This was a Last Chance match. [32][33]
15 The Undertaker 1 April 1, 2007 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Detroit, MI WrestleMania 23 [34][35]
16 Edge 1 May 8, 2007 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Pittsburgh, PA SmackDown! Edge cashed in Mr. Kennedy's Money in the Bank contract he won on that week's Raw to earn the right to challenge for the title. This episode aired on tape delay on May 11, 2007. Following the win, Edge transferred from the Raw to the SmackDown! roster. [36][37]
— Vacated — July 17, 2007 — Laredo, TX SmackDown! Edge vacated the title after he was sidelined with a legit pectoral injury. This episode aired on tape delay on July 20, 2007. [38][39]
17 The Great Khali 1 July 17, 2007 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Laredo, TX SmackDown! Khali won the vacant championship in a 20-man battle royal. This episode aired on tape delay on July 20, 2007. [38][39]
18 Batista 3 September 16, 2007 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Memphis, TN Unforgiven This was a triple threat match, also involving Rey Mysterio. [40][41]
19 Edge 2 December 16, 2007 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Pittsburgh, PA Armageddon This was a triple threat match, also involving The Undertaker. [42][43]
20 The Undertaker 2 March 30, 2008 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Orlando, FL WrestleMania XXIV [44][45]
— Vacated — April 29, 2008 — Atlantic City, NJ SmackDown The SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero stripped The Undertaker of the title for using what she deemed to be a dangerous hold (Hell's Gate). This episode aired on tape delay on May 2, 2008. [46][47]
21 Edge 3 June 1, 2008 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. San Diego, CA One Night Stand Defeated The Undertaker in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match to win the vacant title. [46][48]
22 CM Punk 1 June 30, 2008 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Oklahoma City, OK Raw Punk cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. Since Punk was a member of Raw, the title became exclusive to Raw. [49][50]
23 Chris Jericho 1 September 7, 2008 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Cleveland, OH Unforgiven This was a Championship Scramble match, also involving John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Batista, Rey Mysterio and Kane. Jericho was a late replacement for champion CM Punk, who was attacked by Legacy. [51][52]
24 Batista 4 October 26, 2008 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Phoenix, AZ Cyber Sunday Stone Cold Steve Austin was the guest referee. [53][54]
25 Chris Jericho 2 November 3, 2008 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Tampa, FL Raw This was a steel cage match. [55][56]
26 John Cena 1 November 23, 2008 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Boston, MA Survivor Series [57][58]
27 Edge 4 February 15, 2009 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Seattle, WA No Way Out This was an Elimination Chamber match also involving Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, Mike Knox and Kane. Edge, a member of the SmackDown roster, attacked Kofi Kingston and replaced him in the match. Title became SmackDown exclusive and since WWE Champion Triple H was also a member of SmackDown, both world titles became exclusive to SmackDown. [59][60]
28 John Cena 2 April 5, 2009 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Houston, TX WrestleMania XXV This was a triple threat match, also involving Big Show. The title became exclusive to the Raw brand due to Cena being a Raw superstar. After Triple H was drafted to Raw the following week, both titles became exclusive to Raw. [61][62]
29 Edge 5 April 26, 2009 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Providence, RI Backlash This was a Last Man Standing match. The championship again became SmackDown exclusive. [63][64]
30 Jeff Hardy 1 June 7, 2009 <1 New Orleans, LA Extreme Rules This was a ladder match. [65][66]
31 CM Punk 2 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Punk cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. [66][67]
32 Jeff Hardy 2 July 26, 2009 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Philadelphia, PA Night of Champions [68][69]
33 CM Punk 3 August 23, 2009 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Los Angeles, CA SummerSlam This was a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. [70][71]
34 The Undertaker 3 October 4, 2009 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Newark, NJ Hell in a Cell This was a Hell in a Cell match.[72][73] At TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, Batista defeated The Undertaker for the title. Later that night, the SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long restarted the match and Undertaker defeated him, nullifying Batista's reign and continuing Undertaker's.
35 Chris Jericho 3 February 21, 2010 37 St. Louis, MO Elimination Chamber This was an Elimination Chamber match, also involving John Morrison, R-Truth, CM Punk and Rey Mysterio. [74]
36 Jack Swagger 1 March 30, 2010 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Las Vegas, NV SmackDown Swagger cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. Swagger transferred from Raw to SmackDown upon winning the title. This episode aired on tape delay on April 2, 2010. [75][76]
37 Rey Mysterio 2 June 20, 2010 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Uniondale, NY Fatal 4-Way This was a fatal four-way, also involving Big Show and CM Punk. The championship was referred to as the "World Championship" due to Mysterio not being a heavyweight. [77]
38 Kane 1 July 18, 2010 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Kansas City, MO Money in the Bank Kane cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. [78]
39 Edge 6 December 19, 2010 58 Houston, TX TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs This was a fatal four-way Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match, also involving Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio. [79]
40 Dolph Ziggler 1 February 15, 2011 <1 San Diego, CA SmackDown 600th Episode Edge was stripped as a result of using the spear (which had been banned) in a previous match by Vickie Guerrero, who then awarded the belt to Ziggler. This episode aired on tape delay on February 18, 2011. [80]
41 Edge 7 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Edge was awarded a rematch the same night by returning General Manager, Theodore Long. This episode aired on tape delay on February 18, 2011. [81]
— Vacated — April 12, 2011 — Albany, NY SmackDown Title declared vacant due to Edge's retirement. This episode aired on tape delay on April 15, 2011. [82]
42 Christian 1 May 1, 2011 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Tampa, FL Extreme Rules Defeated Alberto Del Rio in a ladder match to win the vacant title. [83]
43 Randy Orton 2 May 3, 2011 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Orlando, FL SmackDown Aired May 6, 2011 on tape delay. [84]
44 Christian 2 July 17, 2011 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Rosemont, IL Money in the Bank Defeated Randy Orton by disqualification after Orton gave him a low-blow. The stipulations of the match allowed the title to change hands via disqualification. [85][86]
45 Randy Orton 3 August 14, 2011 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Los Angeles, CA SummerSlam This was a No Holds Barred Match. [87]
46 Mark Henry 1 September 18, 2011 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Buffalo, NY Night of Champions On the November 25 episode of SmackDown, Daniel Bryan cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and pinned Henry. However, the SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long revealed that Henry was not medically cleared to compete and voided the match. Henry remained champion and the briefcase was returned to Bryan. [88]
47 Big Show 1 December 18, 2011 <1 Baltimore, MD TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs This was a chairs match. [89]
48 Daniel Bryan 1 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Bryan cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. [90]
49 Sheamus 1 April 1, 2012 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Miami, FL WrestleMania XXVIII [91]
50 Big Show 2 October 28, 2012 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Atlanta, GA Hell in a Cell [92]
51 Alberto Del Rio 1 January 8, 2013 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Miami, FL SmackDown This was a Last Man Standing match. This episode aired on tape delay on January 11, 2013. [93]
52 Dolph Ziggler 2 April 8, 2013 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. East Rutherford, NJ Raw Ziggler cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. [94]
53 Alberto Del Rio 2 June 16, 2013 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Rosemont, IL Payback [95]
54 John Cena 3 October 27, 2013 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Miami, FL Hell in a Cell [96]
55 Randy Orton 4 December 15, 2013 <1 Houston, TX TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs This was a TLC match, also for Orton's WWE Championship. [97]
— Unified — December 15, 2013 — Houston, TX TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs Unified with Orton's WWE Championship creating the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. [98]

Combined reigns

The inaugural and five-time World Heavyweight Champion: Triple H
Record breaking seven-time World Heavyweight Champion: Edge.
Rank Champion No. of reigns Combined days
1 Triple H 5 616
2 Batista 4 507
3 Edge 7 409
4 Alberto Del Rio 2 223
5 Sheamus 1 210
6 The Undertaker 3 207
7 CM Punk 3 160
8 John Cena 3 154
Chris Benoit 1 154
Kane 1 154
11 Rey Mysterio 2 140
12 Randy Orton 4 138
13 King Booker 1 126
14 Chris Jericho 3 106
15 Daniel Bryan 1 105
16 Mark Henry 1 91
17 Goldberg 1 84
18 Jack Swagger 1 82
Kurt Angle 1 82
20 Big Show 2 72
21 Dolph Ziggler 2 69
22 The Great Khali 1 61
23 Christian 2 30
24 Jeff Hardy 2 28
Shawn Michaels 1 28

See also

References

General
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Specific
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External links

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