Search

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

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 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] 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.

Youngest, four-time and final champion Randy Orton

At the TLC 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 Randy Orton, who was also the youngest champion at the age of 24 when he first won the championship. The Undertaker was the oldest champion when he won the title for the third time at the age of 44 years.

Title history

Names

NameYears
World Heavyweight ChampionshipSeptember 2, 2002 – December 15, 2013
World ChampionshipDuring Rey Mysterio's reigns

Reign

Key
No.Overall reign number
ReignReign number for the specific champion
DaysNumber of days held
Days recog.Number of days held recognized by the promotion
<1Reign lasted less than a day
No.ChampionChampionship changeReign statisticsNotesRef.
DateEventLocationReignDaysDays recog.
WWE: Raw
1Triple HSeptember 2, 2002RawMilwaukee, WI17675After 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 Intercontinental Championship into the World Heavyweight Championship.		[7][8]
2Shawn MichaelsNovember 17, 2002Survivor SeriesNew York, NY12827This was the first Elimination Chamber match, also involving Chris Jericho, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, and Kane.[9][10]
3Triple HDecember 15, 2002ArmageddonSunrise, FL2280279This was a Three Stages of Hell match.[11][12]
4 GoldbergSeptember 21, 2003UnforgivenHershey, PA18483This 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.[13][14]
5Triple HDecember 14, 2003ArmageddonOrlando, FL39190This was a triple threat match, also involving Kane.[15][16]
6Chris BenoitMarch 14, 2004WrestleMania XXNew York, NY1154153This was a triple threat match, also involving Shawn Michaels and Triple H.[17]
7Randy OrtonAugust 15, 2004SummerSlamToronto, ON, Canada12827[18][19]
8Triple HSeptember 12, 2004UnforgivenPortland, OR48584[20][21]
—VacatedDecember 6, 2004RawBaltimore, MD———The championship was vacated after a double fall occurred in a triple threat match, also involving Chris Benoit and Edge.[22][23]
9Triple HJanuary 9, 2005New Year's RevolutionSan Juan, PR58483Defeated 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.[22][24]
10 BatistaApril 3, 2005WrestleMania 21Los Angeles, CA1282281The title became exclusive to the SmackDown! brand following the 2005 WWE draft lottery while the WWE Championship became exclusive to the Raw brand.[25][26]
WWE: SmackDown
—VacatedJanuary 10, 2006SmackDown!Philadelphia, PA———Batista vacated the title after he was sidelined with a legit triceps injury.
Aired on tape delay on January 13, 2006.		[27][28]
11Kurt AngleJanuary 10, 2006SmackDown!Philadelphia, PA18281This was a 20-man battle royal for the vacant title.
Aired on tape delay on January 13, 2006.		[27][28]
12Rey MysterioApril 2, 2006WrestleMania 22Rosemont, IL1112111This 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.[29][30]
13King BookerJuly 23, 2006The Great American BashIndianapolis, IN1126125[31][32]
14 BatistaNovember 26, 2006Survivor SeriesPhiladelphia, PA2126125This was a Last Chance match. If King Booker was disqualified or counted out, he would lose the title.[33][34]
15The UndertakerApril 1, 2007WrestleMania 23Detroit, MI13736[35][36]
16 EdgeMay 8, 2007SmackDown!Pittsburgh, PA17069This 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.		[37][38]
—VacatedJuly 17, 2007SmackDown!Laredo, TX———Edge vacated the title after he was sidelined with a legit pectoral injury.
Aired on tape delay on July 20, 2007.		[39][40]
17The Great KhaliJuly 17, 2007SmackDown!Laredo, TX16160This was a 20-man battle royal for the vacant title.
Aired on tape delay on July 20, 2007.		[39][40]
18 BatistaSeptember 16, 2007UnforgivenMemphis, TN39190This was a triple threat match, also involving Rey Mysterio.[41][42]
19 EdgeDecember 16, 2007ArmageddonPittsburgh, PA2105105This was a triple threat match, also involving The Undertaker.[43][44]
20The UndertakerMarch 30, 2008WrestleMania XXIVOrlando, FL23032WWE recognizes The Undertaker's reign as ending on May 2, 2008, when the following episode aired on tape delay.[45][46]
—VacatedApril 29, 2008SmackDownAtlantic 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.		[47][48]
21 EdgeJune 1, 2008One Night StandSan Diego, CA32928Defeated 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.[47][49]
22CM PunkJune 30, 2008RawOklahoma City, OK16968This 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 CM 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.		[50][51]
WWE: Raw
23Chris JerichoSeptember 7, 2008UnforgivenCleveland, OH14948This 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.[52][53]
24 BatistaOctober 26, 2008Cyber SundayPhoenix, AZ487Stone Cold Steve Austin was the special guest referee.[54][55]
25Chris JerichoNovember 3, 2008RawTampa, FL22019This was a steel cage match.[56][57]
26John CenaNovember 23, 2008Survivor SeriesBoston, MA18483[58][59]
27 EdgeFebruary 15, 2009No Way OutSeattle, WA44948This 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.		[60][61]
WWE: SmackDown
28John CenaApril 5, 2009WrestleMania 25Houston, TX22120This was a triple threat match, also involving Big Show who Cena pinned.
The title became exclusive to the Raw brand due to Cena's status as a Raw wrestler.		[62][63]
WWE: Raw
29 EdgeApril 26, 2009BacklashProvidence, RI54241This 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. Ironically at the same pay-per-view, Triple H lost the WWE title to Randy Orton in a six man tag-team match involving Batista and Shane McMahon facing all three members of Legacy.		[64][65]
WWE: SmackDown
30Jeff HardyJune 7, 2009Extreme RulesNew Orleans, LA1<1<1This was a ladder match.[66][67]
31CM PunkJune 7, 2009Extreme RulesNew Orleans, LA24948This was Punk's Money in the Bank cash-in match.[67][68]
32Jeff HardyJuly 26, 2009Night of ChampionsPhiladelphia, PA22827[69][70]
33CM PunkAugust 23, 2009SummerSlamLos Angeles, CA34241This was a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match.[71][72]
34The UndertakerOctober 4, 2009Hell in a CellNewark, NJ3140139This was a Hell in a Cell match.[73][74]
35Chris JerichoFebruary 21, 2010Elimination ChamberSt. Louis, MO33739This 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.		[75]
36Jack SwaggerMarch 30, 2010SmackDownLas Vegas, NV18278Cashed 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.		[76][77]
37Rey MysterioJune 20, 2010Fatal 4-WayUniondale, NY22827This 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.[78]
38 KaneJuly 18, 2010Money in the BankKansas City, MO1154153This was Kane's Money in the Bank cash-in match.[79]
39 EdgeDecember 19, 2010TLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsHouston, TX65860This 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.		[80]
—VacatedFebruary 15, 2011SmackDownSan 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.		[81]
40Dolph ZigglerFebruary 15, 2011SmackDownSan Diego, CA1<1<1Awarded the title by SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero.
Aired on tape delay on February 18, 2011, the date WWE recognizes for the reign.		[81]
41 EdgeFebruary 15, 2011SmackDownSan Diego, CA75654WWE recognizes Edge's reign as beginning on February 18, 2011, and ending on April 15, 2011, both episodes of which aired on tape delay.[82]
—VacatedApril 12, 2011SmackDownAlbany, 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.		[83]
42 ChristianMay 1, 2011Extreme RulesTampa, FL124Defeated 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.		[84]
43Randy OrtonMay 3, 2011SmackDownOrlando, FL27571WWE recognizes Orton's reign as beginning on May 6, 2011, when the episode aired on tape delay.[85]
44 ChristianJuly 17, 2011Money in the BankRosemont, IL22827Defeated Randy Orton by disqualification after being hit with a low-blow. The stipulations of the match allowed the title to change hands via disqualification.[86][87]
45Randy OrtonAugust 14, 2011SummerSlamLos Angeles, CA33534This 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.[88]
WWE (unbranded)
46Mark HenrySeptember 18, 2011Night of ChampionsBuffalo, NY19191[89]
47Big ShowDecember 18, 2011TLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsBaltimore, MD1<1<1This was a chairs match.[90]
48Daniel BryanDecember 18, 2011TLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsBaltimore, MD1105104This was Bryan's Money in the Bank cash-in match.[91]
49 SheamusApril 1, 2012WrestleMania XXVIIIMiami, FL1210210[92]
50Big ShowOctober 28, 2012Hell in a CellAtlanta, GA27272[93]
51Alberto Del RioJanuary 8, 2013SmackDownMiami, FL19089This was a Last Man Standing match.
Aired on tape delay on January 11, 2013.		[94]
52Dolph ZigglerApril 8, 2013RawEast Rutherford, NJ26969This was Ziggler's Money in the Bank cash-in match.[95]
53Alberto Del RioJune 16, 2013PaybackRosemont, IL2133133[96]
54John CenaOctober 27, 2013Hell in a CellMiami, FL34949[97]
55Randy OrtonDecember 15, 2013TLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsHouston, TX4<1<1This was a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs title unification match, in which Orton also defended his WWE Championship.[98]
—UnifiedDecember 15, 2013TLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsHouston, 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.[99]

Combined reigns

Inaugural, five-time and longest combined reigning champion Triple H
Record seven-time champion Edge
RankWrestlerNo. of
reigns		Combined daysCombined days
recognized by WWE
1Triple H5616611
2 Batista4507503
3 Edge7409405
4Alberto Del Rio2223
5 Sheamus1210
6The Undertaker3207
7CM Punk3160157
8Chris Benoit1154153
John Cena3154152
Kane1154153
11Rey Mysterio2140138
12Randy Orton4138132
13King Booker1126125
14Chris Jericho3106
15Daniel Bryan1105104
16Mark Henry191
17 Goldberg18483
18Jack Swagger18278
Kurt Angle18281
20Big Show272
21Dolph Ziggler269
22The Great Khali16160
23 Christian23031
24Jeff Hardy22827
Shawn Michaels1

See also

References

General
  • "History of the World Heavyweight Championship". WWE. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
Specific

External links

Retrieved from "https:https://www.search.com.vn/wiki/index.php?lang=en&q=List_of_World_Heavyweight_Champions_(WWE,_2002–2013)&oldid=1210645645"
🔥 Top keywords: Main PageSpecial:SearchIndian Premier LeagueWikipedia:Featured picturesPornhubUEFA Champions League2024 Indian Premier LeagueFallout (American TV series)Jontay PorterXXXTentacionAmar Singh ChamkilaFallout (series)Cloud seedingReal Madrid CFCleopatraRama NavamiRichard GaddDeaths in 2024Civil War (film)Shōgun (2024 miniseries)2024 Indian general electionJennifer PanO. J. SimpsonElla PurnellBaby ReindeerCaitlin ClarkLaverne CoxXXX (film series)Facebook2023–24 UEFA Champions LeagueYouTubeCandidates Tournament 2024InstagramList of European Cup and UEFA Champions League finalsJude BellinghamMichael Porter Jr.Andriy LuninCarlo AncelottiBade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024 film)