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The World Heavyweight Championship that has been carried by such greats as Batista and Triple H got its start in WWE back in 2002. But its prestigious lineage can actually be traced back all the way to George Hackenschmidt and 1904. For years, it was known as the NWA Championship; then when WCW pulled out of the NWA in the early 1990s, Ric Flair was recognized as the first-ever WCW Champion. Since that time, top names such as Hulk Hogan, Ron Simmons and Bret Hart carried the championship prior to WCW's demise.
Championship Holders over time
119 days
<1 day
| Champion | Date of Reign | | Time Held |
|---|---|---|
Chris Jericho |
Dec 12, 2001 |
<1 day |
The Rock |
Nov 11, 2001 - Dec 12, 2001 |
33 days |
Chris Jericho |
Oct 10, 2001 - Nov 11, 2001 |
14 days |
The Rock |
Aug 8, 2001 - Oct 10, 2001 |
62 days |
Booker T |
Jul 7, 2001 - Aug 8, 2001 |
19 days |
Kurt Angle |
Jul 7, 2001 - Jul 7, 2001 |
5 days |
Booker T |
Mar 3, 2001 - Jul 7, 2001 |
119 days |
Scott Steiner |
Nov 11, 2000 - Mar 3, 2001 |
119 days |
Booker T |
Oct 10, 2000 - Nov 11, 2000 |
54 days |
Vince Russo |
Sep 9, 2000 - Oct 10, 2000 |
6 days |
Booker T |
Sep 9, 2000 - Sep 9, 2000 |
7 days |
Kevin Nash |
Aug 8, 2000 - Sep 9, 2000 |
19 days |
Booker T |
Jul 7, 2000 - Aug 8, 2000 |
49 days |
Jeff Jarrett |
May 5, 2000 - Jul 7, 2000 |
40 days |
Ric Flair |
May 5, 2000 |
<1 day |
Kevin Nash |
May 5, 2000 - May 5, 2000 |
4 days |
Jeff Jarrett |
May 5, 2000 - May 5, 2000 |
1 day |
Ric Flair |
May 5, 2000 - May 5, 2000 |
6 days |
Jeff Jarrett |
May 5, 2000 - May 5, 2000 |
7 days |
David Arquette |
Apr 4, 2000 - May 5, 2000 |
11 days |
Diamond Dallas Page |
Apr 4, 2000 - Apr 4, 2000 |
<1 day |
Jeff Jarrett |
Apr 4, 2000 - Apr 4, 2000 |
7 days |
Sid Vicious |
Jan 1, 2000 - Apr 4, 2000 |
74 days |
Sid Vicious |
Jan 1, 2000 - Jan 1, 2000 |
1 day |
Chris Benoit |
Jan 1, 2000 - Jan 1, 2000 |
<1 day |
468 days
<1 day
| Champion | Date of Reign | | Time Held |
|---|---|---|
Bret Hart |
Dec 12, 1999 - Jan 1, 2000 |
26 days† (reign ends in next decade) |
Bret Hart |
Nov 11, 1999 - Dec 12, 1999 |
28 days |
Sting |
Sep 9, 1999 - Oct 10, 1999 |
42 days |
Hulk Hogan |
Jul 7, 1999 - Sep 9, 1999 |
61 days |
Randy Savage |
Jul 7, 1999 - Jul 7, 1999 |
<1 day |
Kevin Nash |
May 5, 1999 - Jul 7, 1999 |
62 days |
Diamond Dallas Page |
Apr 4, 1999 - May 5, 1999 |
13 days |
Sting |
Apr 4, 1999 - Apr 4, 1999 |
3 days |
Diamond Dallas Page |
Apr 4, 1999 - Apr 4, 1999 |
14 days |
Ric Flair |
Mar 3, 1999 - Apr 4, 1999 |
27 days |
Hulk Hogan |
Jan 1, 1999 - Mar 3, 1999 |
68 days |
Kevin Nash |
Dec 12, 1998 - Jan 1, 1999 |
7 days |
Goldberg |
Jul 7, 1998 - Dec 12, 1998 |
173 days |
Hulk Hogan |
Apr 4, 1998 - Jul 7, 1998 |
76 days |
Randy Savage |
Apr 4, 1998 - Apr 4, 1998 |
<1 day |
Sting |
Feb 2, 1998 - Apr 4, 1998 |
55 days |
Sting |
Dec 12, 1997 - Jan 1, 1998 |
10 days |
Hulk Hogan |
Aug 8, 1997 - Dec 12, 1997 |
140 days |
Lex Luger |
Aug 8, 1997 - Aug 8, 1997 |
4 days |
Hulk Hogan |
Aug 8, 1996 - Aug 8, 1997 |
358 days |
The Giant |
Apr 4, 1996 - Aug 8, 1996 |
109 days |
Ric Flair |
Feb 2, 1996 - Apr 4, 1996 |
70 days |
Randy Savage |
Jan 1, 1996 - Feb 2, 1996 |
19 days |
Ric Flair |
Dec 12, 1995 - Jan 1, 1996 |
25 days |
Randy Savage |
Nov 11, 1995 - Dec 12, 1995 |
30 days |
The Giant |
Oct 10, 1995 - Nov 11, 1995 |
7 days |
Hulk Hogan |
Jul 7, 1994 - Oct 10, 1995 |
468 days |
Ric Flair |
Dec 12, 1993 - Jul 7, 1994 |
201 days |
Vader |
Mar 3, 1993 - Dec 12, 1993 |
284 days |
Sting |
Mar 3, 1993 - Mar 3, 1993 |
5 days |
Vader |
Dec 12, 1992 - Mar 3, 1993 |
70 days |
Ron Simmons |
Aug 8, 1992 - Dec 12, 1992 |
149 days |
Vader |
Jul 7, 1992 - Aug 8, 1992 |
20 days |
Sting |
Feb 2, 1992 - Jul 7, 1992 |
133 days |
Lex Luger |
Jul 7, 1991 - Feb 2, 1992 |
229 days |
Ric Flair |
Jan 1, 1991 - Jul 7, 1991 |
170 days |
