Top 10 longest reigning WWE champions

WWE has a history of producing a great world champions. There was a time when the likes of Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales and Bob Backlund had so much power and it was very difficult to beat them in pro wrestling ring. That is why they managed to remain champion for many years. Whether we talk about 1960s, 70s or 80s or even now we are living in a time when a superstar can remain the title holder for many years. But it has become more difficult doing that compared to 2-3 decades before. So, let’s take a look at 10 longest reigning WWE champions in history.

10. Randy Savage – 371 Days

At WrestleMania 4, there was a tournament booked for world heavyweight championship. Randy Savage had come a long way into the finals of the tournament where he faced Ted DiBiase. Although Hulk Hogan helped Savage to become champion for the first time but later they feuded for the world heavyweight championship. Randy Savage’s title reign ran for 371 days. He lost the title to Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 5.

9. AJ Styles – 371 Days

In the build-up of Survivor Series 2017, Jinder Mahal was WWE champion, but at Survivor Series, then Universal champion Brock Lesnar did not want to face Jinder in a clash of champions. AJ Styles became champion just before Survivor Series. He defeated Jinder Mahal on 7 November, 2017 episode of SmackDown. During that title reign Styles wrestled a lot of interesting matches. His 371 days title reign came to an end when he lost the championship to Daniel Bryan on 13 November, 2018 episode of SmackDown

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8. John Cena – 380 Days

John Cena became WWE champion for the 3rd time in his career at Unforgiven 2006, where he defeated Edge in a Tables, Ladders Chairs match. John was slowly becoming the one of the top babyfaces superstars of the company and had already defeated Umaga, Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley and many other greats. John Cena’s title reign would have run longer but unfortunately he suffered tore his pectoral muscle during a match against Mr. Kennedy in October 2007. As a result he was forced to relinquish his championship belt after 380 days of being champion.

7. CM Punk – 434 Days

At SummerSlam 2011 Alberto Del Rio cashed in his Money in the Bank contract against CM Punk and won the title. Although he dropped the title against John Cena but regained it a few weeks later. At Survivor Series Del Rio had to defend his championship against CM Punk. At the end of the match Del Rio tapped out against CM Punk’s finishing move, Anaconda Vince. Later Punk went on to become one of the longest reigning WWE Champions in history. He remained champion for 434 days.

6. Roman Reigns – 735 Days

Here, we are not discussing about Universal championship. Roman Reigns won the WWE championship as well at WrestleMania 38 in the year 2022. He defeated Brock Lesnar in a winner takes all match at WrestleMania 38, which he won and became the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Roman Reigns lost is title at the hands of Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40.

5. Pedro Morales -1,027 Days

Pedro Morales became WWE champion for the first time in his career 18 January, 1971 where he defeated Ivan Koloff. Morales was the first ever triple crown champion in WWE history. He held the championship for almost 3 years. Morales was one of his kind and had a lot of strength in him. His title reign came to an end when he was defeated by Stan Stasiak on 1 December, 1973.

4. Bruno Sammartino – 1,237 Days

Bruno Sammartino is the only pro wrestler in WWE history who has held the world title for more than thousand days twice. We’ll talk later about his second historic title reign, but when he defeated Stan Stasiak in the year 1993, he went on to helt the WWE championship for 1,237 days. He was one of the greatest wrestlers pro wrestling industry has ever seen. His title reign came to an end when Billy Graham defeated him in 1977.

3. Hulk Hogan – 1,474 Days

By the time WWE entered in 1980s, Hulk Hogan was coming up the ranks and many years later he became the biggest superstar of that time. At the age of 31, Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik at an MSG Show. He would later become the biggest babyface of the company and it was almost impossible to stop him. His popularity skyrocketed while being WWE champion for almost 4 years. His monumental and remarkable title reign came to its conclusion when Andre the Giant overpowered him in 1988.

2. Bob Backlund – 2,135 Days

Bob Backlund began his monumental championship run in 1978, when he conquered the challenge of Billy Graham. A year later dropped the WWE Championship to Antonio Inoki but his championship run was unrecognized by WWE. That is why Bob Backlund has a record of holding the title for almost 6 years.

1. Bruno Sammaritno – 2,803 Days

Here is the first ever WWE championship run of the greatest ever Bruno Sammartino. Buddy Rogers is being seen as the first ever world champion in WWE and Bruno Sammartino defeated him in 1963. He defended his championship many time against the likes of Killer Kowalski and Gorilla Monsoon. Many decades have gone by, but Sammartino’s record seems to be unbreakable. His 2,803 long champion came to its end when Ivan Koloff defeated him in 1971.

Longest reigning WWE champions list:

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