WWE.com article: The 16 most decorated champions in WWE history
WWE.com have a list of the 16 most decorated champions in WWE history. The criteria is only titles that have been defended inside a WWE ring are taken into account, so both WCW and ECW TV Titles, for example, are not counted. Can you pick number 1?
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The 16 most decorated champions in WWE history
Sixteen World Championships, and what do you get? In the case of Ric Flair, it’s a firmer place in WWE history and a deeper appreciation for his achievements. Flair always said, “To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man.” Those 16 World Title reigns definitively give him the data to prove his famous claim.
Good titleholders may capitalize on their golden opportunities, but great ones display a resiliency that enables them to rebound from missteps along the way. This list is dedicated to those repeat contenders, the warriors of the squared circle who accrued more WWE-sanctioned title reigns than anybody else.
Now, a few words on parameters for this list: All WWE-sanctioned titles count, as do any non-WWE championships that were regularly defended in a WWE ring or were unified with WWE counterparts along the way. If Superstars never fought for the title or its heir in a WWE ring, it doesn’t count. (Sorry, ECW TV Championship supporters.)
Here are the titles that made the cut:
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship
- Intercontinental Championship
- United States Championship
- WWE Tag Team Championship
- Divas Championship
- World Heavyweight Championship
- World Tag Team Championship
- Hardcore Championship
- European Championship
- Cruiserweight Championship
- Light Heavyweight Championship
- Women’s Championship
- NWA/WCW World Championship
- WCW International World Heavyweight Championship
- WCW Tag Team Championship
- WCW Light Heavyweight Championship
- ECW World Championship
Without further ado, WWE.com presents the 16 Superstars with the most cumulative championship wins in the history of WWE.
No. 16: Jeff Hardy (19)
Six-time World Tag Team Champion
Four-time Intercontinental Champion
Three-time Hardcore Champion
Two-time World Heavyweight Champion
One-time WWE Champion
One-time European Champion
One-time Light Heavyweight Champion
One-time WCW Tag Team Champion
Jeff Hardy did not simply utilize the extreme — he positively helped redefine it with an incredible career of jaw-dropping, high-flying aggression. Along the way, Hardy soared to championship glory with a total of 19 WWE-sanctioned title reigns.
This included four reigns as Intercontinental Champion, three as Hardcore Champion and six as World Tag Team Champion, many of which were captured in a firestorm of tables, ladders and chairs. In addition, he held the WCW Tag Team, European and Light Heavyweight Championships.
As Hardy’s career ascended, so did the measure of his accolades as he reached new heights as a three-time World Champion.
No. 12 (tied): Goldust (20)
Nine-time Hardcore Champion
Three-time Intercontinental Champion
Two-time WWE Tag Team Champion
Two-time United States Champion
Two-time WCW Tag Team Champion
One-time World Tag Team Champion
You’ll never forget the name of (inhales deeply) Goldust (chomps) … not that you could if you tried. The oddball eldest son of “The American Dream” has worn more titles than a medieval English lord, amassing 19 championship reigns over his storied career, both in and out of his signature face paint.
The stats are, to be fair, a tad inflated thanks to his nine runs with the Hardcore Title, but the rest of The Bizarre One’s resume — both in titles won and Superstars beat to attain them — reads like a “Who’s who?” of the greatest in sports-entertainment. From his first reign (as WCW World Tag Team Champions with Ricky Steamboat) at the expense of The Enforcers, to his and Stardust’s defeat of The Usos to become WWE Tag Team Champions, Goldust has truly proven himself to be as glittery and priceless as his namesake.
All that’s missing is a World Title, but you can bet The Bizarre One hasn’t ruled out a run at that one just yet.
No. 12 (tied): Christian (20)
Nine-time World Tag Team Champion
Four-time Intercontinental Champion
Two-time World Heavyweight Champion
Two-time ECW Champion
One-time European Champion
One-time Hardcore Champion
One-time Light Heavyweight Champion
The WWE Universe fondly recalls Christian’s formative years as the tandem title partner of Edge, but often forget that Captain Charisma literally started accruing championships from day one. His WWE debut match at Judgment Day 1998 ended with Christian becoming the second Light Heavyweight Champion in history, and the Canadian Superstar has cluttered his trophy case with WWE gold ever since.
After claiming a share of an unprecedented six World Tag Team Championship reigns alongside The Rated-R Superstar, Christian went out on his own and proceeded to match that tally in singles competition. His 16-year career includes tenures as Intercontinental, European and ECW Champion and culminates with the right to call himself a World Champion in 2011 — followed by constant pleas for one more title opportunity.
One more match? If one of WWE’s most precious metals is on the line, Christian will be there.
No. 12 (tied): Rey Mysterio (20)
Eight-time Cruiserweight Champion
Four-time WWE Tag Team Champion
Three-time WCW Tag Team Champion
Two-time World Heavyweight Champion
Two-time Intercontinental Champion
One-time WWE Champion
Size matters. Rey Mysterio, however, may take issue with that old adage.
As WWE’s biggest little man, Mysterio has accumulated an impressive 20 championships, including two World Title reigns, the first of which kicked off after an improbable Triple Threat Match victory over Kurt Angle and Randy Orton at WrestleMania 22.
Having made a habit of toppling overconfident titans, The Master of the 619 has carved out a special place in the hearts of the WWE Universe. His Ultimate Underdog status continues to make Rey one of the most beloved Superstars with a reputation that stands taller than any opponent ever could.
No. 12 (tied): Bubba Ray Dudley (20)
10-time Hardcore Champion
Eight-time World Tag Team Champion
One-time WWE Tag Team Champion
One-time WCW Tag Team Champion
Sorry, Road Warriors loyalists: Bubba Ray and D-Von, The Dudley Boys, are the greatest tag team of all time.
There is only one way to measure the success of a tag team and that is by World Tag Team Title reigns. When you add up all of the twin titles that The Dudleys have won — including those of ECW, New Japan Pro Wrestling and others not included in this feature — the brothers from another mother are untouched by any other duo.
Bubba Ray, himself, edges out D-Von in the category of championships won, thanks to his 10 reigns as Hardcore Champion in WWE. Still, the sons of travelling salesman Willy Loman Dudley may have one last run as WWE Tag Team Champions in them. Isn’t January’s Royal Rumble in Philadelphia?
No. 11: Steven Richards (21)
21-time Hardcore Champion
Stevie Richards is the most underrated of all the ECW Originals. The fitness fanatic and certified DDP Yoga instructor left ECW for WCW and returned, which tarnished him in the eyes of ECW faithful.
However, Stevie more than silenced any detractors when he became a WWE Superstar. To be blunt, the “24/7” rule of the WWE Hardcore Championship makes the number of times a competitor held that title meaningless. Who that competitor defeated to win that unique championship is much more meaningful. Among those pinned by the master of the Stevie Kick include The Innovator of Violence Tommy Dreamer, Goldust, former WWE Champion JBL and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.
No. 8 (tied): John Cena (23)
12-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion
Four-time United States Champion
Three-time World Heavyweight Champion
Two-time WWE Tag Team Champion
Two-time World Tag Team Champion
It’s no surprise that John Cena is on this list. The Cenation leader’s championship pedigree exemplifies quality over quantity. Let’s face facts: some titles mean much, much more than others. A WWE World Heavyweight Championship carries more weight than any other title.
In less than a decade, John Cena has racked up 15 World Championships and will most likely surpass Ric Flair’s once-thought-unbreakable record of 16. The very vocal minority who chant “Cena sucks!” will be outraged when the native of West Newbury, Mass., becomes the most decorated competitor in history. It won’t matter, as their collective cries will long be silent while Cena’s legacy will forever speak for itself.
No. 8 (tied): Big Show (23)
Five-time World Tag Team Champion
Three-time WWE Tag Team Champion
Three-time Hardcore Champion
Three-time WCW Tag Team Champion
Two-time WWE Champion
Two-time World Heavyweight Champion
Two-time WCW Champion
One-time Intercontinental Champion
One-time United States Champion
One-time ECW Champion
Big Show’s storied career began with championship gold around his massive waist. As The Giant in WCW, the 7-footer captured the “Big Gold Belt” in his very first match by defeating Hulk Hogan at Halloween Havoc in 1995.
Nineteen years later and The World’s Largest Athlete is still the only Superstar ever to win the WWE, WCW and ECW World Titles. The larger-than-life competitor has gone on to add the Intercontinental, U.S. and multiple Hardcore Titles to his championship resume. And despite not being viewed as a traditional tag team competitor, this renowned giant has won 11 Tag Team Titles with seven different partners between WWE and WCW.
No. 8 (tied): Triple H (23)
Eight-time WWE Champion
Five-time World Heavyweight Champion
Five-time Intercontinental Champion
Two-time European Champion
Two-time World Tag Team Champion
One-time WWE Tag Team Champion
Think Triple H is effective at ruling over the WWE Universe as part of The Authority? He earned that clout by reigning over the squared circle since the early days of The Attitude Era. Champions who agreed to play The Game lost with regularity, ceding control of the Intercontinental and European Titles to a Connecticut Blueblood before the Greenwich, Conn., native started chasing the ultimate prize.
As the rebel leader of D-Generation X or the puppet master pulling the strings as part of The McMahon-Helmsley Faction, Triple H catapulted himself into the main event and quickly accumulated a breathtaking number of World Championship wins, including an Undisputed WWE Title-clinching victory on The Grandest Stage of Them All at WrestleMania X8. Only John Cena and Ric Flair rank higher on the list of World Championship triumphs, which remains in flux as long as the WWE COO stays in power.
No. 7: JBL (24)
17-time Hardcore Champion
Three-time World Tag Team Champion
One-time WWE Champion
One-time Intercontinental Champion
One-time United States Champion
One-time European Champion
JBL used to claim to be “The Wrestling God,” and if the number of championships is the determining factor in deciding such things, he’s not far off.
Before manning Raw’s announcer desk, JBL claimed 24 titles reigns. The Hardcore Title accounted for the bulk, but the Superstar with the lariat straight outta Hades earned a variety of prestigious titles, including the World Tag Team, United States and European Championships. None of his reigns were more significant than his staggering 280-day tenure with the WWE Championship.
However, it was his loss of the Intercontinental Championship in 2009 that proved to be too much: Moments after being dethroned, JBL angrily quit WWE, closing the door on a glorious in-ring career.
No. 6: Crash Holly (25)
22-time Hardcore Champion
One-time European Champion
One-time World Tag Team Champion
One-time Light Heavyweight Champion
Generally speaking, every champion in WWE should prepare to defend his title at a moment’s notice. Crash Holly took that old adage to the extreme by adding a controversial caveat to the Hardcore Championship: the “24/7” rule, which dictated that, as long as a WWE referee was present, the titleholder must answer any competitor’s challenge at any time and in any place.
The “24/7” rule seems like a losing proposition for a champion, but Holly rose to the occasion by seizing the Hardcore Title on 22 occasions, which ranks second only to Raven on the all-time list. His wily tactics earned him the moniker “The Houdini of Hardcore,” a nickname bestowed on Holly for his ability to flee danger after safely procuring the Hardcore Championship. And his success was sufficient enough to ensure that no one needed to carry around a weight scale to measure it.
No. 5: Booker T (27)
11-time WCW Tag Team Champion
Five-time WCW World Champion
Four-time United States Champion
Three-time World Tag Team Champion
Two-time Hardcore Champion
One-time World Heavyweight Champion
One-time Intercontinental Champion
When WWE acquired WCW in spring 2001, Booker T was the WCW Champion, a title that he’s let no one forget he’d go on to hold five times (five times, five times …). But more impressively, Booker was an 11-time WCW Tag Team Champion — a record for the championship — including 10 reigns with his brother Stevie Ray as Harlem Heat. Booker also scored tag title wins with Test, Rob Van Dam and Goldust.
In singles competition, Booker could hang in the ring with technicians and brawlers alike, winning the United States Title four times across both WCW and WWE. He even picked up two Hardcore Title wins — both only lasted a matter of moments and were on the same night, but who’s counting? In 2006, Booker finally reached the pinnacle of sports-entertainment, winning the World Heavyweight Championship in the wake of his King of the Ring victory.
No. 4: Chris Jericho (28)
Nine-time Intercontinental Champion
Five-time World Tag Team Champion
Four-time Cruiserweight Champion
Three-time World Heavyweight Champion
Two-time WWE Tag Team Champion
Two-time WCW World Champion
One-time WWE Champion
One-time Hardcore Champion
One-time European Champion
At the turn of the century, Chris Jericho debuted as a man on a mission, hell-bent on saving the WWE Universe.
During his subsequent crusade, Y2J not only managed to convert a following of “Jerichoholics,” but he also earned a total of 28 title reigns in the process. In addition to being the first Undisputed WWE Champion, Jericho also boasts the most Intercontinental Title reigns in WWE history with nine. As if his in-ring accolades weren’t enough, he also fronts his own rock band and hosts a popular podcast.
It’s within the squared circle, though, that Jericho has proven he is, to paraphrase the Superstar himself, the best in the world at what he does.
No. 3: Ric Flair (29)
14-time WCW World Champion
Five-time United States Champion
Three-time WCW Tag Team Champion
Two-time WWE Champion
Two-time World Tag Team Champion
Two-time WCW International World Heavyweight Champion
One-time Intercontinental Champion
Everyone talks, and rightly so, about Ric Flair’s 16 World Championships, a record that’s only recently been sniffed by John Cena, who’s currently at 15.
But that lofty stat fails to account for the complete acumen of Ric Flair’s body of work: “The Nature Boy” has 29 total stints as a stylin’, profilin’ champion. Flair’s trophy case is more varied than most Superstars’, as well. He’s won title gold in the territories (“Naitch” boasts six runs as the NWA Champion) and the later-era major promotions (the bulk of Flair’s hardware comes from WCW; a late-game return to WWE notched him three World Tag Title reigns and an Intercontinental Championship as well). And let’s be honest: He appeared more comfortable toting around those titles than most men look in their entire lives.
Oldest ride, longest line. WOO!
No. 2: Edge (31)
12-time World Tag Team Champion
Seven-time World Heavyweight Champion
Five-time Intercontinental Champion
Four-time WWE Champion
Two-time WWE Tag Team Champion
One-time United States Champion
They can call him The Rated-R Superstar. They can call him The Master Manipulator. But above all, they have to call him champion. That’s because WWE Hall of Famer Edge holds the second most WWE-sanctioned title reigns in history at a whopping 31.
This includes 11 World Championships (four WWE Titles and a record-setting seven World Heavyweight Titles), five Intercontinental Championships, a combined 14 reigns as a WWE and World Tag Team Champion and a United States Championship just for good measure. The Ultimate Opportunist was the perfect nickname for a competitor who used his incredible ability and strategic superiority to truly climb to the top of the golden mountain.
No. 1: Raven (32)
27-time Hardcore Champion
Two-time ECW Champion
One-time United States Champion
One-time WCW Tag Team Champion
One-time WCW Light Heavyweight Champion
For a dingy, misanthropic Gen-X dropout, Raven sure was successful. Like many Superstars on this list, the flannelled fighter’s outsized stats are owed largely to The Attitude Era boom of transitory Hardcore Championship reigns, of which Raven had 27. (None of Raven’s last 15 reigns with the scrapyard title lasted even a day.) Yet, to overlook his many other accomplishments would be a gross disservice.
As a two-time ECW Champion, Raven was a cornerstone for the outlaw organization during a crucial period of growth — even notching a 252-day reign in 1996-1997, the third-longest in the title’s history. Raven also had runs with the prestigious WCW U.S. and Tag Team Titles and, as Scotty Flamingo, he held the precursor to the Cruiserweight Title, the WCW Light Heavyweight Championship. Not that any of that made him any less miserable of a person. Turns out, even record-breaking championship success is no remedy for a mean case of ennui.
Source: wwe.com
