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Undisputed WWE Championship History

Complete list of every Undisputed WWE Championship reign — who held it, when they won it, and how long they kept it. Established Apr 25, 1963.

Current Champion
Cody Rhodes
Since Mar 6, 2026 · 90+ days

Undisputed WWE Championship Records

Longest reign
Bruno Sammartino
2,803 days · won May 17, 1963
Most reigns
John Cena
14 reigns
Most reigns in 5 years
John Cena
9 reigns · 2009–2014
Most reigns in 10 years
John Cena
12 reigns · 2005–2014
Total reigns
155
since 1963
Champions
57
individual title holders
Youngest champion
Brock Lesnar
25 years, 1 month, 13 days · SummerSlam, August 25, 2002
Oldest champion
Vince McMahon
54 years, 21 days · SmackDown, September 14, 1999

Full Title Lineage

Tap any column heading to sort. Tap again to reverse.

# Champion Won Reign
155 Cody Rhodes3rd reign CURRENT Mar 6, 2026 90+ days
154 Drew McIntyre3rd reign Jan 9, 2026SmackDown 56 days
153 Cody Rhodes2nd reign Aug 3, 2025SummerSlamEast Rutherford, NJ 159 days
152 John Cena14th reign A heel turn delivered Cena a record-extending reign during his retirement tour. Apr 20, 2025WrestleMania 41 Night 2Las Vegas, NV 105 days
151 Cody Rhodes1st reign "Finished the story," ending Reigns’ reign with help from The Rock storyline payoff. The title was renamed the Undisputed WWE Championship. Apr 7, 2024WrestleMania XL Night 2Philadelphia, PA 378 days
150 Roman Reigns4th reign Beat Lesnar to unify the WWE and Universal Championships into the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, beginning a historic 735-day reign with this title at its core. Apr 3, 2022WrestleMania 38 Night 2Arlington, TX 735 days
149 Brock Lesnar7th reign Feb 19, 2022Elimination ChamberJeddah, Saudi Arabia 43 days
148 Bobby Lashley2nd reign Jan 29, 2022Royal RumbleSt. Louis, MO 21 days
147 Brock Lesnar6th reign Won a hastily-added title match after Roman Reigns was pulled from Day 1. Jan 1, 2022WWE Day 1Atlanta, GA 28 days
146 Big E Cashed in Money in the Bank for his first world title. Sep 13, 2021RawBoston, MA 110 days
145 Bobby Lashley1st reign A long-awaited first world title for The All Mighty. Mar 1, 2021RawSt. Petersburg, FL 196 days
144 The Miz2nd reign Cashed in Money in the Bank for his second WWE Championship. Feb 21, 2021Elimination ChamberSt. Petersburg, FL 8 days
143 Drew McIntyre2nd reign Nov 16, 2020RawSt. Petersburg, FL 97 days
142 Randy Orton10th reign Oct 25, 2020Hell in a CellOrlando, FL 22 days
141 Drew McIntyre1st reign The first British WWE Champion, crowned in the empty-arena Performance Center era. Apr 5, 2020WrestleMania 36 Night 2Orlando, FL 203 days
140 Brock Lesnar5th reign Beat Kingston in seconds on the SmackDown FOX debut. Oct 4, 2019SmackDown on FOX premiereLos Angeles, CA 184 days
139 Kofi Kingston The "KofiMania" payoff, a first world title after more than a decade in WWE. Apr 7, 2019WrestleMania 35East Rutherford, NJ 180 days
138 Daniel Bryan4th reign Returned from forced retirement and turned heel as an eco-conscious "new" Daniel Bryan. Nov 13, 2018SmackDownManchester, England 145 days
137 AJ Styles2nd reign A 371-day reign, one of the longest of the modern era. Nov 7, 2017SmackDownManchester, England 371 days
136 Jinder Mahal A surprise reign aimed at the growing Indian market. May 21, 2017BacklashRosemont, IL 170 days
135 Randy Orton9th reign Apr 2, 2017WrestleMania 33Orlando, FL 49 days
134 Bray Wyatt Wyatt’s first world title. Feb 12, 2017Elimination ChamberPhoenix, AZ 49 days
133 John Cena13th reign Tied Ric Flair’s recognized record of 16 world championships with this reign. Jan 29, 2017Royal RumbleSan Antonio, TX 14 days
132 AJ Styles1st reign A first WWE Championship in his debut year with the company. Sep 11, 2016BacklashRichmond, VA 140 days
131 Dean Ambrose Became WWE Champion as the title moved to SmackDown in the brand split. Jun 19, 2016Money in the BankLas Vegas, NV 84 days
130 Seth Rollins2nd reign Beat Reigns, then lost the title to Dean Ambrose’s cash-in the same night (the first time a cash-in immediately followed a title change). Jun 19, 2016Money in the BankLas Vegas, NV <1 day
129 Roman Reigns3rd reign Apr 3, 2016WrestleMania 32Arlington, TX 77 days
128 Triple H9th reign Won the title by entering and winning the Royal Rumble match itself. Jan 24, 2016Royal RumbleOrlando, FL 70 days
127 Roman Reigns2nd reign Dec 14, 2015RawPhiladelphia, PA 41 days
126 Sheamus3rd reign Nov 22, 2015Survivor SeriesAtlanta, GA 22 days
125 Roman Reigns1st reign Won a tournament for the vacant title, then lost it the same night to Sheamus’ Money in the Bank cash-in. Nov 22, 2015Survivor SeriesAtlanta, GA <1 day
124 Seth Rollins1st reign Cashed in Money in the Bank during the main event itself, "stealing" the title in a first-of-its-kind WrestleMania moment. ↳ Vacated November 4, 2015 after Rollins suffered a knee injury. Mar 29, 2015WrestleMania 31Santa Clara, CA 220 days
123 Brock Lesnar4th reign Demolished Cena and held the title as a dominant part-time champion. Aug 17, 2014SummerSlamLos Angeles, CA 224 days
122 John Cena12th reign Won a ladder match for the vacant title. Jun 29, 2014Money in the BankBoston, MA 49 days
121 Daniel Bryan3rd reign The "Yes Movement" payoff, winning twice in one night to capture the title. ↳ Vacated June 9, 2014 due to a neck injury. Apr 6, 2014WrestleMania XXXNew Orleans, LA 64 days
120 Randy Orton8th reign Unified the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships in December 2013, becoming the first WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Oct 27, 2013Hell in a CellMiami, FL 161 days
119 Daniel Bryan2nd reign ↳ Title vacated September 16, 2013 amid the Authority controversy. Sep 15, 2013Night of ChampionsDetroit, MI 1 days
118 Randy Orton7th reign Aug 18, 2013SummerSlamLos Angeles, CA 28 days
117 Daniel Bryan1st reign Beat Cena cleanly, then lost the title to Orton’s Money in the Bank cash-in moments later, kicking off the Authority storyline. Aug 18, 2013SummerSlamLos Angeles, CA <1 day
116 John Cena11th reign Apr 7, 2013WrestleMania 29East Rutherford, NJ 133 days
115 The Rock8th reign A returning, part-time Rock ended Punk’s long reign. Jan 27, 2013Royal RumblePhoenix, AZ 70 days
114 CM Punk3rd reign At 434 days, the longest WWE Championship reign in over 25 years. Nov 20, 2011Survivor SeriesNew York, NY 434 days
113 Alberto Del Rio2nd reign Oct 2, 2011Hell in a CellNew Orleans, LA 49 days
112 John Cena10th reign Sep 18, 2011Night of ChampionsBuffalo, NY 14 days
111 Alberto Del Rio1st reign Aug 14, 2011SummerSlamLos Angeles, CA 35 days
110 CM Punk2nd reign Beat Cena to unify the claims, then immediately lost the title to Del Rio’s Money in the Bank cash-in. Aug 14, 2011SummerSlamLos Angeles, CA <1 day
109 John Cena9th reign Jul 25, 2011RawLaredo, TX 20 days
108 Rey Mysterio Won a tournament final for the vacant title, then lost it to Cena the same night. Jul 25, 2011RawLaredo, TX <1 day
107 CM Punk1st reign The legendary "pipebomb" summer; Punk beat Cena in his hometown and left the company with the title. ↳ Title declared vacant on July 18, 2011 after Punk departed as champion. Jul 17, 2011Money in the BankChicago, IL 1 days
106 John Cena8th reign May 1, 2011Extreme RulesTampa, FL 77 days
105 The Miz1st reign Cashed in Money in the Bank and headlined WrestleMania XXVII as champion. Nov 22, 2010RawOrlando, FL 160 days
104 Randy Orton6th reign Sep 19, 2010Night of ChampionsRosemont, IL 64 days
103 Sheamus2nd reign Jun 20, 2010Fatal 4-WayUniondale, NY 91 days
102 John Cena7th reign Mar 28, 2010WrestleMania XXVIGlendale, AZ 84 days
101 Batista2nd reign Feb 21, 2010Elimination ChamberSt. Louis, MO 35 days
100 John Cena6th reign Won the Elimination Chamber, then was forced to defend immediately and lost the title to Batista the same night. Feb 21, 2010Elimination ChamberSt. Louis, MO <1 day
99 Sheamus1st reign A rapid rise to a first world title for Sheamus. Dec 13, 2009TLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsSan Antonio, TX 70 days
98 John Cena5th reign Oct 25, 2009Bragging RightsPittsburgh, PA 49 days
97 Randy Orton5th reign Oct 4, 2009Hell in a CellNewark, NJ 21 days
96 John Cena4th reign Sep 13, 2009Breaking PointMontreal, QC 21 days
95 Randy Orton4th reign Won a fatal four-way for the vacant title. Jun 15, 2009RawCharlotte, NC 90 days
94 Batista1st reign ↳ Batista was injured and forced to vacate the title on June 9, 2009, two days after winning it. Jun 7, 2009Extreme RulesNew Orleans, LA 2 days
93 Randy Orton3rd reign Apr 26, 2009BacklashProvidence, RI 42 days
92 Triple H8th reign Feb 15, 2009No Way OutSeattle, WA 70 days
91 Edge4th reign Jan 25, 2009Royal RumbleDetroit, MI 21 days
90 Jeff Hardy A hugely popular first world title for Hardy. Dec 14, 2008ArmageddonBuffalo, NY 42 days
89 Edge3rd reign Nov 23, 2008Survivor SeriesBoston, MA 21 days
88 Triple H7th reign Apr 27, 2008BacklashBaltimore, MD 210 days
87 Randy Orton2nd reign Oct 7, 2007No MercyRosemont, IL 203 days
86 Triple H6th reign Oct 7, 2007No MercyRosemont, IL <1 day
85 Randy Orton1st reign Awarded the vacant title, lost it to Triple H, then won it back later the same night. Oct 7, 2007No MercyRosemont, IL <1 day
84 John Cena3rd reign ↳ Cena was forced to relinquish the title on October 2, 2007 due to a torn pectoral muscle. Sep 17, 2006UnforgivenToronto, ON 380 days
83 Edge2nd reign Jul 3, 2006RawGreenville, SC 76 days
82 Rob Van Dam Cashed in Money in the Bank in front of a rabid ECW crowd. Jun 11, 2006ECW One Night StandNew York, NY 22 days
81 John Cena2nd reign Jan 29, 2006Royal RumbleMiami, FL 133 days
80 Edge1st reign Cashed in the first-ever Money in the Bank contract to win his first world title. Jan 8, 2006New Year’s RevolutionAlbany, NY 21 days
79 John Cena1st reign John Cena’s first of a record number of WWE Championship reigns. Apr 3, 2005WrestleMania 21Los Angeles, CA 280 days
78 John Bradshaw Layfield JBL’s only reign, then the longest WWE Championship reign of the 2000s to that point. Jun 27, 2004The Great American BashNorfolk, VA 280 days
77 Eddie Guerrero A beloved first world title for Guerrero. Feb 15, 2004No Way OutSan Francisco, CA 133 days
76 Brock Lesnar3rd reign Sep 16, 2003SmackDownRaleigh, NC 152 days
75 Kurt Angle4th reign Jul 27, 2003VengeanceDenver, CO 51 days
74 Brock Lesnar2nd reign Mar 30, 2003WrestleMania XIXSeattle, WA 119 days
73 Kurt Angle3rd reign Dec 15, 2002ArmageddonFort Lauderdale, FL 105 days
72 Big Show2nd reign Nov 17, 2002Survivor SeriesNew York, NY 28 days
71 Brock Lesnar1st reign At 25, became the youngest WWE Champion in history. The title became exclusive to SmackDown soon after. Aug 25, 2002SummerSlamUniondale, NY 84 days
70 The Rock7th reign The Rock’s final WWE Championship reign. Jul 21, 2002VengeanceDetroit, MI 35 days
69 The Undertaker4th reign May 19, 2002Judgment DayNashville, TN 63 days
68 Hollywood Hulk Hogan6th reign A nostalgic reign following the nWo’s WWE arrival. Apr 21, 2002BacklashKansas City, MO 28 days
67 Triple H5th reign Mar 17, 2002WrestleMania X8Toronto, ON 35 days
66 Chris Jericho Beat The Rock and Stone Cold the same night to become the first Undisputed Champion, unifying the WWF and WCW world titles. Dec 9, 2001VengeanceSan Diego, CA 98 days
65 Stone Cold Steve Austin6th reign Oct 8, 2001RawIndianapolis, IN 62 days
64 Kurt Angle2nd reign Sep 23, 2001UnforgivenPittsburgh, PA 15 days
63 Stone Cold Steve Austin5th reign Turned heel by aligning with Mr. McMahon at the end of this WrestleMania main event. Apr 1, 2001WrestleMania X-SevenHouston, TX 175 days
62 The Rock6th reign Feb 25, 2001No Way OutLas Vegas, NV 35 days
61 Kurt Angle1st reign Kurt Angle’s first WWE Championship, in only his second year as a pro. Oct 22, 2000No MercyAlbany, NY 126 days
60 The Rock5th reign Jun 25, 2000King of the RingBoston, MA 119 days
59 Triple H4th reign May 21, 2000Judgment DayLouisville, KY 35 days
58 The Rock4th reign Apr 30, 2000BacklashWashington, D.C. 21 days
57 Triple H3rd reign Jan 3, 2000RawMiami, FL 118 days
56 Big Show1st reign Nov 14, 1999Survivor SeriesDetroit, MI 50 days
55 Triple H2nd reign Won a six-pack challenge for the vacant title. Sep 26, 1999UnforgivenCharlotte, NC 49 days
54 Mr. McMahon ↳ Vincent K. McMahon vacated the title on September 20, 1999. Sep 14, 1999SmackDownLas Vegas, NV 6 days
53 Triple H1st reign Triple H’s first WWE Championship. Aug 23, 1999RawAmes, IA 22 days
52 Mankind3rd reign Aug 22, 1999SummerSlamMinneapolis, MN 1 days
51 Stone Cold Steve Austin4th reign Jun 28, 1999RawCharlotte, NC 55 days
50 The Undertaker3rd reign May 23, 1999Over the EdgeKansas City, MO 36 days
49 Stone Cold Steve Austin3rd reign Mar 28, 1999WrestleMania XVPhiladelphia, PA 56 days
48 The Rock3rd reign Feb 15, 1999RawBirmingham, AL 41 days
47 Mankind2nd reign Jan 26, 1999Halftime HeatTucson, AZ 20 days
46 The Rock2nd reign Jan 24, 1999Royal RumbleAnaheim, CA 2 days
45 Mankind1st reign The famous taped Raw title win that helped Raw beat WCW in the ratings. Dec 29, 1998RawWorcester, MA 26 days
44 The Rock1st reign Won the "Deadly Game" tournament for the vacant title, turning heel by joining The Corporation. The Rock’s first world title. Nov 15, 1998Survivor SeriesSt. Louis, MO 44 days
43 Stone Cold Steve Austin2nd reign ↳ Vacated September 27, 1998 after a disputed triple-threat finish at Breakdown. Jun 29, 1998RawEast Rutherford, NJ 90 days
42 Kane Won a First Blood match; lost it back to Austin the next night. Jun 28, 1998King of the RingPittsburgh, PA 1 days
41 Stone Cold Steve Austin1st reign Austin’s first WWE Championship, the spark of the Attitude Era boom. Mar 29, 1998WrestleMania XIVBoston, MA 91 days
40 Shawn Michaels3rd reign Won via the controversial "Montreal Screwjob" finish over Bret Hart. Nov 9, 1997Survivor SeriesMontreal, QC 140 days
39 Bret Hart5th reign Aug 3, 1997SummerSlamEast Rutherford, NJ 98 days
38 The Undertaker2nd reign Mar 23, 1997WrestleMania 13Rosemont, IL 133 days
37 Sycho Sid2nd reign Feb 17, 1997RawNashville, TN 34 days
36 Bret Hart4th reign Won a Final Four match for the vacant title, then lost it the next night on Raw. Feb 16, 1997In Your House: Final FourChattanooga, TN 1 days
35 Shawn Michaels2nd reign ↳ Michaels vacated the title on February 13, 1997, citing a knee injury ("lost my smile"). Jan 19, 1997Royal RumbleSan Antonio, TX 25 days
34 Sycho Sid1st reign Nov 17, 1996Survivor SeriesNew York, NY 63 days
33 Shawn Michaels1st reign Won the 60-minute Iron Man match against Bret Hart in overtime ("the boyhood dream"). Mar 31, 1996WrestleMania XIIAnaheim, CA 231 days
32 Bret Hart3rd reign Nov 19, 1995Survivor SeriesLandover, MD 133 days
31 Diesel Won the title in roughly eight seconds, one of the fastest title-winning matches ever. Nov 26, 1994House show (MSG)New York, NY 358 days
30 Bob Backlund3rd reign Nov 23, 1994Survivor SeriesSan Antonio, TX 3 days
29 Bret Hart2nd reign Mar 20, 1994WrestleMania XNew York, NY 248 days
28 Yokozuna2nd reign Jun 13, 1993King of the RingDayton, OH 280 days
27 Hulk Hogan5th reign Apr 4, 1993WrestleMania IXLas Vegas, NV 70 days
26 Yokozuna1st reign Won from Bret Hart, then lost the title to Hogan minutes later the same afternoon. Apr 4, 1993WrestleMania IXLas Vegas, NV <1 day
25 Bret Hart1st reign Bret Hart’s first WWE Championship. Oct 12, 1992House showSaskatoon, SK 174 days
24 Ric Flair2nd reign Sep 1, 1992House showHershey, PA 41 days
23 Randy Savage2nd reign Apr 5, 1992WrestleMania VIIIIndianapolis, IN 149 days
22 Ric Flair1st reign Won by going the distance in the 30-man Royal Rumble match for the vacant title. Jan 19, 1992Royal RumbleAlbany, NY 77 days
21 Hulk Hogan4th reign ↳ Vacated on December 4, 1991 amid the controversial finishes; the title was decided in the 1992 Royal Rumble. Dec 3, 1991This Tuesday in TexasSan Antonio, TX 1 days
20 The Undertaker1st reign The Undertaker’s first world title. Nov 27, 1991Survivor SeriesDetroit, MI 6 days
19 Hulk Hogan3rd reign Mar 24, 1991WrestleMania VIILos Angeles, CA 248 days
18 Sgt. Slaughter Jan 19, 1991Royal RumbleMiami, FL 64 days
17 The Ultimate Warrior Beat Hogan title-for-title (also defending the Intercontinental Championship) in a rare champion-vs-champion main event. Apr 1, 1990WrestleMania VIToronto, ON 293 days
16 Hulk Hogan2nd reign Apr 2, 1989WrestleMania VAtlantic City, NJ 364 days
15 Randy Savage1st reign Won a 14-man one-night tournament for the vacant title. Mar 27, 1988WrestleMania IVAtlantic City, NJ 371 days
14 Ted DiBiase André attempted to hand the title to DiBiase; the championship was declared vacant. ↳ Vacated on February 13, 1988; the title was put up in a 14-man tournament at WrestleMania IV. Feb 5, 1988The Main EventIndianapolis, IN 8 days
13 André the Giant Surrendered the title moments after winning, leading to it being vacated. Feb 5, 1988The Main EventIndianapolis, IN <1 day
12 Hulk Hogan1st reign The reign that launched Hulkamania and WWE’s national expansion. 1,474 days. Jan 23, 1984House show (MSG)New York, NY 1,474 days
11 The Iron Sheik Dec 26, 1983House show (MSG)New York, NY 28 days
10 Bob Backlund2nd reign Dec 17, 1979House show (MSG)New York, NY 1,470 days
9 Antonio Inoki Title win in Japan was later not recognized by the promotion; the championship was vacated days later. ↳ Vacated on December 6, 1979. Nov 30, 1979House showTokushima, Japan 6 days
8 Bob Backlund1st reign Feb 20, 1978House show (MSG)New York, NY 648 days
7 Superstar Billy Graham Apr 30, 1977House showBaltimore, MD 296 days
6 Bruno Sammartino2nd reign Dec 10, 1973House showNew York, NY 1,237 days
5 Stan Stasiak Dec 1, 1973House showPhiladelphia, PA 9 days
4 Pedro Morales Feb 8, 1971House showNew York, NY 1,027 days
3 Ivan Koloff Jan 18, 1971House showNew York, NY 21 days
2 Bruno Sammartino1st reign At 2,803 days, the longest single reign in the title’s history. May 17, 1963House showNew York, NY 2,803 days
1 Buddy Rogers Recognized as the inaugural champion, said to have won a tournament final in Rio de Janeiro. Apr 25, 1963Tournament (Rio de Janeiro)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 22 days

WWE’s oldest and most prestigious world title. It was introduced in 1963 as the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship, became the WWF Championship after the promotion was renamed, was unified with the WCW Championship in 2001 to become the Undisputed Championship, and has been known as the WWE Championship and, most recently, the Undisputed WWE Championship. WWE recognizes a single continuous lineage across all of these names. A handful of very early title changes are sometimes disputed by historians; the reigns below follow WWE’s officially recognized history.

Undisputed WWE Championship — FAQ

Cody Rhodes is the current Undisputed WWE Championship, having won the title on Mar 6, 2026.

Buddy Rogers was the inaugural Undisputed WWE Championship, winning it on Apr 25, 1963 at Tournament (Rio de Janeiro).

John Cena has the most reigns with 14.

Bruno Sammartino's reign beginning May 17, 1963 is the longest at 2,803 days.

There have been 155 reigns across 57 different champions since the title was established.

Brock Lesnar is the youngest Undisputed WWE Championship in history, winning the title at 25 years, 1 month, 13 days at SummerSlam, August 25, 2002 by defeating The Rock.

Vince McMahon is the oldest Undisputed WWE Championship in history, winning the title at 54 years, 21 days at SmackDown, September 14, 1999 by defeating Triple H.

← All current champions