In the world of WWE, not every champion enjoys equal success. While many aspire to achieve a lengthy reign like that of Roman Reigns, others grapple with the intense pressure of being a titleholder and struggle to keep the championship for more than a few weeks. The competitive landscape of WWE can be unforgiving, making it difficult for certain superstars to thrive under the spotlight.
Given WWE’s extensive history, it’s not uncommon to see multiple wrestlers holding the championship for similar durations over the years. This article will dissect various championship reigns based on their length, categorizing each by the number of days wrestlers held the title.
In total, we will explore 22 distinct title reigns, ranging from those that lasted less than 24 hours up to those that extended for several weeks. Regardless of the duration, these wrestlers will always be recognized as champions. Many legendary figures are included here, demonstrating that even the shortest title reigns can connect future champions with the history and legacy of WWE.
10 20 Days – 2 Wrestlers
Mankind, John Cena
In a memorable moment from 1999, Mankind triumphed over The Rock in a groundbreaking Empty Arena match during Halftime Heat, an event aired during Super Bowl halftime. The unexpected wrestling spectacle drew in viewers who were eager for action rather than musical performances, solidifying its place in WWE history.
Unfortunately, this victory was short-lived, as Mankind’s title reign lasted a mere 20 days before The Rock reclaimed the championship on an episode of Raw. Ironically, this was just six days shorter than Mankind’s first reign, during which he also defeated The Rock.
John Cena’s own 20-day title reign came during a pivotal storyline in 2011, famously marked by CM Punk’s victory over Cena at Money In The Bank. Following a scripted firing and an exit from WWE by Punk, the company was left without a champion until Cena eventually reclaimed the title, only to lose it to Alberto Del Rio shortly after due to a Money In The Bank cash-in—much to the chagrin of many fans.
9 15 Days – 1 Wrestler
Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle’s second WWE Championship was secured at the 2001 Unforgiven PPV, hosted in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The electrified audience witnessed an intense confrontation between Angle, a beloved figure at the time, and Stone Cold Steve Austin, one of WWE’s top heels.
The chemistry between Angle and Austin in the ring was palpable, with their rivalry becoming iconic. Despite the uproar during the match, fans celebrated Angle’s victory, transforming initial “You Suck”chants into signs of respect. Sadly, Angle’s title reign was cut short, lasting merely 15 days before Austin claimed the championship back in a controversial rematch marred by outside interference.
8 14 Days – 1 Wrestler
John Cena, John Cena (again)
The first 14-day reign came in 2011, shortly after reinstating his status as champion by defeating Alberto Del Rio, only to lose it back to him at the Hell in a Cell PPV. This came in a congested schedule period where two title changes occurred in three weeks.
Fast forward to 2017, Cena again found himself with a short-lived 14-day title run before dropping it to Bray Wyatt, a surprising outcome that took place just months prior to WrestleMania 33. Fans were left puzzled about the lack of a Cena championship defense at a flagship event.
7 9 Days – 1 Wrestler
Stan Stasiak
The WWE Championship lineage began in 1963 with Buddy Rogers as the inaugural holder. After Rogers, the title was claimed by Bruno Sammartino, who held it phenomenally for over 2, 800 days, thanks to a short tenure held by Stan Stasiak, whose reign lasted just nine days.
While Stasiak may not be a household name today, he made history as the second-ever Quebec-born wrestler to capture the title. His brief reign wouldn’t be topped until the emergence of notable champions in the years to follow. After sporadic appearances in the WWWF, Stasiak never received another shot at the championship but found success in various promotions, ultimately earning his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018.
6 8 Days – 1 Wrestler
The Miz
In 2021, Drew McIntyre’s reign was disrupted dramatically when The Miz capitalized on his Money in the Bank cash-in, elevating the stakes in his second WWE Championship victory. This unexpected shift left fans shocked, as they expected McIntyre to continue his dominant run heading into WrestleMania 37.
The subsequent eight-day reign for The Miz concluded with Bobby Lashley demolishing him on an episode of Raw. This sudden end set the stage for a classic matchup between Lashley and McIntyre at WrestleMania, leaving fans stunned at how quickly things had changed in the world of WWE.
5 6 Days – 2 Wrestlers
The Undertaker, Vince McMahon
Wrestling fans witnessed The Undertaker claiming the WWE Championship at the 1991 Survivor Series, making him one of the youngest champions at just 25 years old. However, just six days later, he lost the title back to Hulk Hogan due to various backstage politics and maneuverings.
In a similarly surprising turn of events, Vince McMahon grabbed the title in 1999 with assistance from Shane McMahon, but vacated it just six days later, reinforcing the fact that not all champions are cut out to defend their titles actively. This reign proved to be more of a publicity stunt than a legitimate championship run.
4 3 Days – 1 Wrestler
Bob Backlund
Bob Backlund’s illustrious career includes two championship reigns, one of which saw him dominate for an impressive 1, 470 days. However, his second reign was shockingly brief, lasting just three days after defeating Bret Hart in an emotionally charged submission match, influenced by the dramatic interference of Owen Hart and their mother, Helen.
Backlund’s quick championship reign ultimately paved the way for Diesel’s ascent in WWE, as he dropped the title three days later, igniting a new era in the company. This series of events demonstrated how quickly fortunes can change in the chaotic world of wrestling.
3 2 Days – 2 Wrestlers
The Rock, Batista
Achieving a title reign of just 48 hours is hardly enough time to savor the success for The Rock and Batista, who faced vastly different circumstances despite the similar timeline. The Rock secured the championship from Mankind at the 1999 Royal Rumble, but the result was mired in controversy, leading to his two-day reign being cut short in an Empty Arena match.
Conversely, Batista was forced to vacate his championship just two days following his victory due to a torn pectoral muscle. Fortunately, Batista would seize the title again in 2010, marking a redemption arc in his wrestling career.
2 1 Day – 5 Wrestlers
Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Kane, Mankind, Daniel Bryan
Numerous wrestlers have faced the unfortunate fate of holding the title for just a single day, with Hulk Hogan being one notable example. His reign ended in controversy, leading to Ric Flair ultimately seizing the title at the 1992 Royal Rumble.
Bret Hart also experienced a one-day title run, losing to Sycho Sid due to interference from Stone Cold Steve Austin, which added layers to their ongoing feud that defined a generation of wrestling. Similarly, Kane and Mankind had their brief moments under the spotlight, each holding the title for just one day.
Daniel Bryan’s initial victory over Randy Orton in 2013 was frustratingly overturned after a fast count, a haunting echo of how swiftly momentum can shift in WWE. Bryan’s struggles didn’t end there, as he was later forced to vacate his title after winning at WrestleMania 30 due to a neck injury.
1 Less Than 24 Hours – 9 Wrestlers
Andre The Giant, Yokozuna, Randy Orton, Triple H, John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins
Strikingly, there have been nine wrestlers who have held the WWE Championship for less than 24 hours, including notable names like John Cena. Historical title changes like Andre The Giant’s victory, which was primarily designed for Ted DiBiase, and Yokozuna’s brief tenure following WrestleMania 9 highlight the pranks of WWE’s competitive narrative.
Randy Orton and Triple H’s unique 2007 No Mercy PPV scenario featured two title changes almost back-to-back, while Cena’s brief reign in 2010 was abruptly halted by Batista’s swift victory.
Rey Mysterio, too, faced a similar fate in 2011 when he lost the title almost instantly, illustrating how unpredictable and fervent the pursuit of the championship can be. Lastly, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins also endured rapid exits from championship status, signifying the volatile nature of WWE storytelling.
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