List of World Heavyweight Champions (WWE, 2002–2013)

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The World Heavyweight Championship was a men's 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 brands, 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] Although both titles used the "Big Gold Belt" design, the World Heavyweight Championship was not a continuation of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship but rather its indirect successor.[4][5]

Youngest, four-time and final champion Randy Orton

At the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view on December 15, 2013, when WWE Champion Randy Orton defeated World Heavyweight Champion John Cena, the World Heavyweight Championship was unified with the WWE Championship, resulting in the retiring of the former,[6] and the renaming of the latter to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. 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 Orton, who was also the youngest champion at the age of 24 when he first won the championship, as well as the shortest reigning champion in his fourth and final reign, immediately retiring the title after winning and unifying it with the WWE Championship. The Undertaker was the oldest champion when he won the title for the third time at the age of 44 years.[7]

Title history

Names

More information Name, Years ...
Name Years
World Heavyweight Championship September 2, 2002 – December 15, 2013
World Championship April 2, 2006 – July 23, 2006; June 20, 2010 – July 18, 2010[Note 1]
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Reigns

More information No., Reign ...
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
<1 Reign lasted less than a day
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More information No., Champion ...
No. Champion Championship change Reign statistics Notes Ref.
Date Event Location Reign DaysDays recog.
WWE: Raw
1 Triple H September 2, 2002 Raw Milwaukee, WI 1 7675 After the WWE Undisputed Championship became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand, Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff created the World Heavyweight Championship to be the world title of Raw and awarded it to Triple H, who was originally the number one contender for the WWE Undisputed Championship, which dropped the "Undisputed" moniker. At No Mercy on October 20, 2002, Triple H defeated Intercontinental Champion Kane to unify the WWE Intercontinental Championship into the World Heavyweight Championship. [8][9]
2 Shawn Michaels November 17, 2002 Survivor Series New York, NY 1 2827 This was the first Elimination Chamber match, also involving Chris Jericho, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, and Kane. [10][11]
3 Triple H December 15, 2002 Armageddon Sunrise, FL 2 280279 This was a Three Stages of Hell match, where the three stages were a Street Fight, a Steel Cage match, and a Ladder match; Triple H won the first and third falls. [12][13]
4 Goldberg September 21, 2003 Unforgiven Hershey, PA 1 8483 This was a Title vs. Career match. If Triple H was counted out or disqualified, he would lose the title. If Goldberg lost, he would be forced to retire. [14][15]
5 Triple H December 14, 2003 Armageddon Orlando, FL 3 9190 This was a triple threat match also involving Kane. [16][17]
6 Chris Benoit March 14, 2004 WrestleMania XX New York, NY 1 154153 This was a triple threat match also involving Shawn Michaels and Triple H. [18]
7 Randy Orton August 15, 2004 SummerSlam Toronto, ON, Canada 1 2827 [19][20]
8 Triple H September 12, 2004 Unforgiven Portland, OR 4 8584 [21][22]
— Vacated December 6, 2004 Raw Baltimore, MD — —— The championship was vacated after a double fall occurred in a triple threat match also involving Chris Benoit and Edge. [23][24]
9 Triple H January 9, 2005 New Year's Revolution San Juan, PR 5 8483 Defeated Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Batista, and Edge in an Elimination Chamber match for the vacant title. Shawn Michaels was the special guest referee. [23][25]
10 Batista April 3, 2005 WrestleMania 21 Los Angeles, CA 1 282281 The title became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand following the 2005 WWE draft lottery while the WWE Championship became exclusive to the Raw brand. [26][27]
WWE: SmackDown!
— Vacated January 10, 2006 SmackDown! Philadelphia, PA — —— Batista vacated the title after he was sidelined with a legit triceps injury. Aired on tape delay on January 13, 2006. [28][29]
11 Kurt Angle January 10, 2006 SmackDown! Philadelphia, PA 1 8281 This was a 20-man battle royal for the vacant title. Aired on tape delay on January 13, 2006. [28][29]
12 Rey Mysterio April 2, 2006 WrestleMania 22 Rosemont, IL 1 112111 This was a triple threat match, also involving Randy Orton who Mysterio pinned. The championship was referred to as the "World Championship" due to Mysterio not being a heavyweight. [30][31]
13 King Booker July 23, 2006 The Great American Bash Indianapolis, IN 1 126125 [32][33]
14 Batista November 26, 2006 Survivor Series Philadelphia, PA 2 126125 This was a Last Chance match. If King Booker was disqualified or counted out, he would lose the title. [34][35]
15 The Undertaker April 1, 2007 WrestleMania 23 Detroit, MI 1 3736 [36][37]
16 Edge May 8, 2007 SmackDown! Pittsburgh, PA 1 7069 This was Edge's Money in the Bank cash-in match. Following the win, Edge transferred from Raw to SmackDown!. Aired on tape delay on May 11, 2007. [38][39]
— Vacated July 17, 2007 SmackDown! Laredo, TX — —— Edge vacated the title after he was sidelined with a legit pectoral injury. Aired on tape delay on July 20, 2007. [40][41]
17 The Great Khali July 17, 2007 SmackDown! Laredo, TX 1 6160 This was a 20-man battle royal for the vacant title. Aired on tape delay on July 20, 2007. [40][41]
18 Batista September 16, 2007 Unforgiven Memphis, TN 3 9190 This was a triple threat match also involving Rey Mysterio. [42][43]
19 Edge December 16, 2007 Armageddon Pittsburgh, PA 2 105105 This was a triple threat match also involving The Undertaker. [44][45]
20 The Undertaker March 30, 2008 WrestleMania XXIV Orlando, FL 2 3032 WWE recognizes The Undertaker's reign as ending on May 2, 2008, when the following episode aired on tape delay. [46][47]
— Vacated April 29, 2008 SmackDown Atlantic City, NJ — —— SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero stripped The Undertaker of the title for using the Hell's Gate submission hold, which she deemed to be dangerous. Aired on tape delay on May 2, 2008. [48][49]
21 Edge June 1, 2008 One Night Stand San Diego, CA 3 2928 Defeated The Undertaker in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match to win the vacant title. Per the pre-match stipulation, Undertaker was (kayfabe) banished from WWE. [48][50]
22 CM Punk June 30, 2008 Raw Oklahoma City, OK 1 6968 This was Punk's Money in the Bank cash-in match. The title moved to Raw due to Punk's status as a Raw wrestler as Punk was drafted to Raw the week prior in the 2008 WWE Draft. The WWE Championship moved to the SmackDown brand a week prior due to the draft as then WWE Champion Triple H was drafted to SmackDown. [51][52]
WWE: Raw
23 Chris Jericho September 7, 2008 Unforgiven Cleveland, OH 1 4948 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 prior to the match. [53][54]
24 Batista October 26, 2008 Cyber Sunday Phoenix, AZ 4 87 Stone Cold Steve Austin was the special guest referee. [55][56]
25 Chris Jericho November 3, 2008 Raw Tampa, FL 2 2019 This was a Steel Cage match. [57][58]
26 John Cena November 23, 2008 Survivor Series Boston, MA 1 8483 [59][60]
27 Edge February 15, 2009 No Way Out Seattle, WA 4 4948 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. The title became exclusive to SmackDown due to Edge's status as a SmackDown wrestler. [61][62]
WWE: SmackDown
28 John Cena April 5, 2009 WrestleMania 25 Houston, TX 2 2120 This was a triple threat match also involving Big Show, whom Cena pinned. The title became exclusive to the Raw brand due to Cena's status as a Raw wrestler. [63][64]
WWE: Raw
29 Edge April 26, 2009 Backlash Providence, RI 5 4241 This was a Last Man Standing match. The title was returned to SmackDown due to Edge's status as a SmackDown wrestler. Two weeks prior to the event, then WWE Champion Triple H was drafted to Raw in the 2009 WWE Draft. [65][66]
WWE: SmackDown
30 Jeff Hardy June 7, 2009 Extreme Rules New Orleans, LA 1 <1<1 This was a Ladder match. [67][68]
31 CM Punk June 7, 2009 Extreme Rules New Orleans, LA 2 4948 This was Punk's Money in the Bank cash-in match. [68][69]
32 Jeff Hardy July 26, 2009 Night of Champions Philadelphia, PA 2 2827 [70][71]
33 CM Punk August 23, 2009 SummerSlam Los Angeles, CA 3 4241 This was a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. [72][73]
34 The Undertaker October 4, 2009 Hell in a Cell Newark, NJ 3 140139 This was a Hell in a Cell match. [74][75]
35 Chris Jericho February 21, 2010 Elimination Chamber St. Louis, MO 3 3739 This was an Elimination Chamber match, also involving John Morrison, R-Truth, CM Punk, and Rey Mysterio. WWE recognizes Jericho's reign as ending on April 2, 2010, when the following episode aired on tape delay. [76]
36 Jack Swagger March 30, 2010 SmackDown Las Vegas, NV 1 8278 Cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. Swagger transferred from Raw to SmackDown upon winning the title. WWE recognizes Swagger's reign as beginning on April 2, 2010, when the episode aired on tape delay. [77][78]
37 Rey Mysterio June 20, 2010 Fatal 4-Way Uniondale, NY 2 2827 This was a fatal four-way match also involving Big Show and CM Punk. The championship was referred to as the "World Championship" due to Mysterio not being a heavyweight. [79]
38 Kane July 18, 2010 Money in the Bank Kansas City, MO 1 154153 This was Kane's Money in the Bank cash-in match. [80]
39 Edge December 19, 2010 TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs Houston, TX 6 5860 This was a fatal four-way Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match also involving Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio. WWE recognizes Edge's reign as ending on February 18, 2011, when the following episode aired on tape delay. [81]
— Vacated February 15, 2011 SmackDown San Diego, CA — —— Edge was stripped of the title by SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero as a result of using the spear (which had been banned) in a previous match. Aired on tape delay on February 18, 2011. [82]
40 Dolph Ziggler February 15, 2011 SmackDown San Diego, CA 1 <1<1 Awarded the title by SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero. Aired on tape delay on February 18, 2011, the date WWE recognizes for the reign. [82]
41 Edge February 15, 2011 SmackDown San Diego, CA 7 5654 WWE recognizes Edge's reign as beginning on February 18, 2011, and ending on April 15, 2011, both episodes of which aired on tape delay. [83]
— Vacated April 12, 2011 SmackDown Albany, NY — —— Edge relinquished the title when he announced his immediate retirement as a result of being diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Aired on tape delay on April 15, 2011. [84]
42 Christian May 1, 2011 Extreme Rules Tampa, FL 1 24 Defeated Alberto Del Rio in a Ladder match to win the vacant title. WWE recognizes Christian's reign as ending on May 6, 2011, when the following episode aired on tape delay. [85]
43 Randy Orton May 3, 2011 SmackDown Orlando, FL 2 7571 WWE recognizes Orton's reign as beginning on May 6, 2011, when the episode aired on tape delay. [86]
44 Christian July 17, 2011 Money in the Bank Rosemont, IL 2 2827 Defeated Randy Orton by disqualification after being hit with a low-blow. The stipulations of the match allowed the title to change hands via disqualification. [87][88]
45 Randy Orton August 14, 2011 SummerSlam Los Angeles, CA 3 3534 This was a No Holds Barred match. On August 29, 2011, the first brand extension ended, allowing the World Heavyweight Champion to appear on both Raw and SmackDown. [89]
WWE (unbranded)
46 Mark Henry September 18, 2011 Night of Champions Buffalo, NY 1 9191 [90]
47 Big Show December 18, 2011 TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs Baltimore, MD 1 <1<1 This was a Chairs match. [91]
48 Daniel Bryan December 18, 2011 TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs Baltimore, MD 1 105104 This was Bryan's Money in the Bank cash-in match. [92]
49 Sheamus April 1, 2012 WrestleMania XXVIII Miami Gardens, FL 1 210210 [93]
50 Big Show October 28, 2012 Hell in a Cell Atlanta, GA 2 7272 [94]
51 Alberto Del Rio January 8, 2013 SmackDown Miami, FL 1 9089 This was a Last Man Standing match. Aired on tape delay on January 11, 2013. [95]
52 Dolph Ziggler April 8, 2013 Raw East Rutherford, NJ 2 6969 This was Ziggler's Money in the Bank cash-in match. [96]
53 Alberto Del Rio June 16, 2013 Payback Rosemont, IL 2 133133 [97]
54 John Cena October 27, 2013 Hell in a Cell Miami, FL 3 4949 [98]
55 Randy Orton December 15, 2013 TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs Houston, TX 4 <1<1 This was a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs title unification match in which Orton also defended his WWE Championship. [99]
— Unified December 15, 2013 TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs Houston, TX — —— Randy Orton defeated John Cena to unify the World Heavyweight Championship with the WWE Championship. The World Heavyweight Championship was retired and the WWE Championship became the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. [100]
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Combined reigns

Inaugural, five-time and longest combined reigning champion Triple H
Record seven-time champion Edge
More information Rank, Wrestler ...
Rank Wrestler No. of
reigns		 Combined days Combined days
recognized by WWE
1 Triple H5 616 611
2 Batista4 507 503
3 Edge7 409405
4 Alberto Del Rio2 223222
5 Sheamus1 210
6 The Undertaker3 207
7 CM Punk3 160 157
8 Chris Benoit1 154 153
Kane1
John Cena3 152
11 Rey Mysterio2 140 138
12 Randy Orton4 138132
13 King Booker1 126 125
14 Chris Jericho3 106
15 Daniel Bryan1 105 104
16 Mark Henry 1 91
17 Goldberg 1 84 83
18 Jack Swagger 1 8378
Kurt Angle 1 82 81
20 Big Show2 72
21 Dolph Ziggler2 69
22 The Great Khali1 61 60
23 Christian2 3132
24 Jeff Hardy2 28 27
Shawn Michaels1
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See also

Notes

  1. [1]
    During Rey Mysterio's reigns in 2006 and 2010, the title was referred to as the World Championship due to Mysterio not being a heavyweight.

References

External links

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