Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked
by B Kishwar
Updated Apr 04, 2023
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Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time
The WWE Championship is the highest accolade that a professional wrestler can achieve in the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) universe. It is awarded to the wrestler who is able to defeat the reigning champion in a one-on-one match, or in some cases, in a multi-man match. The Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time refers to the wrestlers who held the WWE Championship for the longest continuous period of time. This record is highly coveted and is a testament to a wrestler's skill, endurance, and ability to defend the title against a wide range of opponents.
Over the years, many legendary wrestlers have held the WWE Championship for extended periods of time, including Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Bob Backlund, and John Cena, among others. These wrestlers have left an indelible mark on the WWE and have helped to shape the sport into what it is today.
Top 10 Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time
The WWE Championship is widely considered to be the most prestigious prize in professional wrestling, with a lineage spanning over 50 years. Throughout its history, many of the greatest WWE superstars of all time have held this coveted title, and it signifies being the best in the world at that moment in time. As a result, becoming WWE Champion is a significant achievement for any wrestler. However, there are only a select few who have held the title for an extended period, and their reigns have secured their place in the history books and made them legendary figures. In this list, we will explore the top 10 longest reigning WWE Champions of all time.
S. No
WWE Champions
Duration
1
Bruno Sammartino
2,803 days
2
Bob Backlund
2,135 days
3
Hulk Hogan
1,474 days
4
Pedro Morales
1,027 days
5
Roman Reigns
796+ days
6
Brock Lesnar
504 days
7
CM Punk
434 days
8
John Cena
380 days
9
Randy Savage
371 days
10
AJ Styles
371 days
Top 10 Longest Reigning WWE Champion List
1. Bruno Sammartino
![Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked](https://img20.fresherslive.com/latestnews/2023/04/bruno-sammartino-642ba4eb9e5ca95481159-900.webp)
Bruno Sammartino is considered one of the greatest WWE Champions of all time. He held the championship for a total of 4,040 days, which is over 11 years in two separate reigns. His first reign lasted from May 1963 to January 1971, while his second reign lasted from December 1973 to April 1977. Sammartino's reigns were characterized by his incredible strength, endurance, and his ability to draw large crowds to his matches. He was a beloved figure in the world of professional wrestling, and his legacy lives on to this day.
2. Bob Backlund
![Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked](https://img20.fresherslive.com/latestnews/2023/04/bob-backlund-642ba4eb9e5ca73606035-900.webp)
Bob Backlund held the WWE Championship for a total of 2,138 days over two separate reigns. His first reign began in February 1978 and lasted until December 1983, while his second reign began in November 1994 and lasted until November 1995. Backlund was known for his technical wrestling ability and his signature "Crossface Chicken Wing" submission hold. He was also known for his intense training regimen and dedication to the sport. Backlund's reigns were marked by his fierce battles with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Hulk Hogan.
3. Hulk Hogan
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Hulk Hogan held the WWE Championship for a total of 2,185 days over six separate reigns. He first won the championship in January 1984 and held it for 1,474 days, which was then the longest reign in WWE history. Hogan's other reigns lasted anywhere from a few weeks to over a year. Hogan was known for his charisma, larger-than-life personality, and his signature "Hulkamania" catchphrase. He was also a major factor in the rise of professional wrestling's popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. Hogan's reigns were characterized by his epic battles with rival wrestlers such as Andre the Giant and the Ultimate Warrior, and his iconic matches at events like WrestleMania.
4. Pedro Morales
![Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked](https://img20.fresherslive.com/latestnews/2023/04/pedro-morales-642ba4eb9e5ca934380-900.webp)
Pedro Morales was one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling, especially during his time with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now known as WWE. He held the WWE Championship for a remarkable 1027 days, making him the longest-reigning WWE Champion in history until 1985. Below is a brief overview of his career and his historic reign as WWE Champion. Pedro Morales won his first WWE Championship on February 8, 1971, by defeating Ivan Koloff. He would go on to hold the title for a record 1027 days, successfully defending it against some of the biggest names in professional wrestling, including Bruno Sammartino, Stan Stasiak, and Killer Kowalski. His reign as WWE Champion is often remembered for his memorable matches against George "The Animal" Steele and Ivan Koloff.
5. Roman Reigns
![Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked](https://img20.fresherslive.com/latestnews/2023/04/roman-reigns-642ba4eb9e5ca48950141-900.webp)
Roman Reigns is a modern-day WWE superstar who has held the WWE Championship for a combined total of 507 days across two reigns. His first reign began on August 30, 2015, and lasted for 77 days. Reigns then regained the title on August 30, 2020, and has held it since then. Reigns' current reign has been particularly dominant, as he has defeated a number of top WWE stars, including Daniel Bryan, Edge, and Cesaro.
6. Brock Lesnar
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Brock Lesnar is a former WWE Champion who held the title for a total of 504 days across one reign. He won the championship on August 17, 2014, by defeating John Cena at SummerSlam. Lesnar then successfully defended the title against a number of top WWE stars, including Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, and Roman Reigns. Lesnar's reign came to an end on WrestleMania 31, when Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and defeated Lesnar to win the championship. Despite holding the title for only one reign, Lesnar's dominance and physicality made him a formidable champion.
7. CM Punk
![Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked](https://img20.fresherslive.com/latestnews/2023/04/cm-punk-642ba4eb9e5ca78525617-900.webp)
CM Punk is a retired professional wrestler who held the WWE Championship for 434 days, making him the longest-reigning champion of the modern era. He won the title at the 2011 Money in the Bank pay-per-view event and successfully defended it against a number of challengers before finally losing it to The Rock at the 2013 Royal Rumble. During his reign, CM Punk became one of the most popular wrestlers in the company, known for his edgy persona, impressive mic skills, and high-quality in-ring performances. He was a key figure in the company's "Reality Era" and is often cited as one of the greatest champions in WWE history
8. John Cena
![Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked](https://img20.fresherslive.com/latestnews/2023/04/john-cena-642ba4eb9e5ca95951780-900.webp)
John Cena is a retired professional wrestler and Hollywood actor who held the WWE Championship for 380 days, the second-longest reign in the modern era. He won the title at the 2006 Unforgiven pay-per-view event and defended it against a number of top-tier wrestlers, including Edge, Randy Orton, and Shawn Michaels. Cena's reign was marked by his dedication to being a fighting champion, as he regularly defended the title on both Raw and SmackDown. He eventually lost the championship to Randy Orton at the 2007 SummerSlam event, but his reign cemented his status as one of the all-time greats in WWE history.
9. Randy Savage
![Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - Top 10 Ranked](https://img20.fresherslive.com/latestnews/2023/04/randy-savage-642ba4eb9e5ca48904015-900.webp)
Randy Savage, also known as "Macho Man," held the WWE Championship for 371 days during his career. He won the title at WrestleMania IV in 1988, defeating four opponents in a tournament to become the champion. He successfully defended the title against a number of wrestlers, including Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant, before finally losing it to Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania V in 1989. Savage was known for his flamboyant personality and high-flying wrestling style, which helped make him one of the most beloved wrestlers of his era. His championship reign remains one of the most memorable in WWE history.
10. AJ Styles
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AJ Styles is a current professional wrestler who held the WWE Championship for 371 days, tying him with Randy Savage for the third-longest reign in modern WWE history. He won the title at the 2017 Backlash pay-per-view event and successfully defended it against a number of top-tier wrestlers, including John Cena, Kevin Owens, and Shinsuke Nakamura. Styles' reign was marked by his exceptional in-ring performances and his ability to connect with audiences on both Raw and SmackDown. He eventually lost the championship to Daniel Bryan at the 2018 Survivor Series event, but his reign helped solidify his status as one of the greatest wrestlers of his generation.
Who is the Longest Reigning WWE Champion?
Bruno Sammartino is widely considered to be one of the most iconic and legendary figures in the history of professional wrestling. Born in Italy in 1935, Sammartino immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He began his wrestling career in the early 1960s and quickly became a fan favourite due to his impressive strength, athleticism, and unwavering commitment to his fans. Sammartino's first reign as WWE Champion began in 1963, when he defeated "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers in just 48 seconds at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He would go on to hold the championship for an incredible 2,803 days, during which time he defended the title against a who's who of wrestling legends, including Gorilla Monsoon, Killer Kowalski, and The Sheik. Sammartino's reign as WWE Champion was the longest in the history of the company, a record that still stands to this day.
After losing the WWE Championship to Ivan Koloff in 1971, Sammartino took a brief hiatus from wrestling before returning to the company in 1973. He won the WWE Championship for a second time later that year, and held the title for another 1,237 days, bringing his total time as WWE Champion to over 11 years. Sammartino retired from active competition in 1981 but remained involved in the wrestling industry as a commentator and ambassador for the sport. Throughout his career, Sammartino was known for his incredible strength and his unwavering commitment to his fans. He was a true icon of professional wrestling, and his record-setting reigns as WWE Champion remain a testament to his unparalleled skill and determination.
Who Holds the Universal Championship in WWE?
The world of WWE is known for its iconic champions, memorable moments, and fierce rivalries. Throughout its history, the company has crowned numerous World Champions, and some of them have held onto their titles for extended periods. As of now, Roman Reigns holds the Universal Championship, which is the most prestigious title in WWE's flagship show, Monday Night Raw. Reigns' current reign has been ongoing since August 2018, and he has defended his title against some of WWE's top talents, including John Cena, Edge, and Daniel Bryan. If Reigns manages to retain his title against Logan Paul at Crown Jewel, he will surpass some of the most significant title reigns in WWE history. Some of the notable names on this list include Bruno Sammartino, who held the WWE Championship for 2,803 days, and Bob Backlund, who held the same title for 2,135 days.
Other WWE Superstars who held their respective titles for extended periods include Pedro Morales, Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, and Diesel, among others. Their reigns not only cemented their legacy as WWE icons but also contributed significantly to the company's growth and success. Despite the longevity of their title reigns, each of these WWE champions faced unique challenges and hurdles along the way. From formidable opponents to injuries and personal setbacks, their journeys to the top were never easy, but they emerged as champions and left an indelible mark on WWE's history. In conclusion, Roman Reigns' current Universal Championship reign is undoubtedly impressive, and it will be fascinating to see if he can maintain his hold on the title and surpass some of the most significant title reigns in WWE history
Longest Reigning WWE Champions of All Time - FAQs
Bruno Sammartino is considered one of the greatest WWE Champions of all time, with a total of 4,040 days as champion in two separate reigns. His reigns were marked by his incredible strength, endurance, and ability to draw large crowds. His legacy lives on as a beloved figure in the world of professional wrestling.
Bob Backlund held the WWE Championship for a total of 2,138 days over two separate reigns. He was known for his technical wrestling ability and his signature "Crossface Chicken Wing" submission hold.
Hulk Hogan is a legendary WWE superstar who held the WWE Championship for a total of 2,185 days over six separate reigns. He was known for his charisma, larger-than-life personality, and his signature "Hulkamania" catchphrase.
Pedro Morales is one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling and held the WWE Championship for a remarkable 1027 days, making him the longest-reigning WWE Champion in history until 1985. He successfully defended it against some of the biggest names in professional wrestling, including Bruno Sammartino, Stan Stasiak, and Killer Kowalski.
Roman Reigns is a modern-day WWE superstar who has held the WWE Championship for a combined total of 507 days across two reigns. His current reign has been particularly dominant, as he has defeated a number of top WWE stars.