The World Heavyweight Championship has seen 2 different runs as there was one run that lasted for 11 years from 2002 to 2013 and the recent run started in May, 2023, when the World Heavyweight Championship was re-introduced in WWE. The World Heavyweight Championship has always been the working wrestler's World Championship.
World Heavyweight Champions in WWE history (2002-2013)
Triple H
Triple H has been the longest combined reigning World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history. He has held the title 5 times and he has been the champion for a combined 616 days.
Batista
The Animal Batista has been the World Champion 4 times in WWE. He has held the championship for 507 days combined.
Edge
The 7 time World Heavyweight Champion Edge has been the Champion for a total of 409 days in his legendary WWE career.
Alberto Del Rio
The 2 time Champion Alberto Del Rio has been the World Heavyweight Champion for a total of 223 days. He no longer wrestles.
Sheamus
Sheamus was one of the best World Heavyweight Champions and he was the champion for 210 days in the one that he had as the champion.
The Undertaker
The Undertaker has been the World Champion for 3 times in his career. He has held the championship for 207 days in WWE.
CM Punk
The best in the world CM Punk has been a 3 time World Heavyweight Champion. He has been the World Heavyweight Champion for 160 days in his WWE career.
Chris Benoit
He was a one time World Champion and he held the title for 154 days in his WWE career. He is no longer alive.
John Cena
The Greatest John Cena has been the World Heavyweight Champion for 154 days as well in the 3 Reigns he has had as the champion.
Kane
The big red monster Kane has also been a 3 Time World Champion in WWE. He has been the champion for 154 days.
Rey Mysterio
The 2 time World Champion Rey Mysterio has been the Champion for a combined 140 days. He was one of the best Champions.
Randy Orton
He has been a 4 time World Champion in WWE. Randy Orton has been the World Heavyweight Champion for a total of 138 days.
King Booker
King Booker was also a one time World Champion. He was one of the most entertaining Champions and he held the title for 126 days.
Chris Jericho
Y2J Chris Jericho has been a 3 time World Champion. He has held the championship for 106 days in his WWE career.
Daniel Bryan
The great Daniel Bryan has been the World Heavyweight Champion in WWE for 105 days. He won this title once in his legendary WWE career.
Mark Henry
A one time World Champion Mark Henry has been the World Heavyweight Champion for 92 days in his iconic Hall of Fame career.
Goldberg
The icon Goldberg was the World Heavyweight Champion once in his WWE career. He was the champion for 84 days.
Jack Swagger
The All American American has been the World Heavyweight Champion one time in his WWE career. He has been the champion for 82 days in his WWE career.
Kurt Angle
The legendary Kurt Angle has also been a one time World Champion. He has also been the Champion for 82 days.
Big Show
The Giant Big Show was a 2 time World Champion In his WWE career. He was the champion for 72 days in WWE.
Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler was also a 2 time World Champion. He was the champion for 69 days in his WWE career.
The Great Khali
The legendary Indian The Great Khali has been a one time World Champion. He has been the champion for 61 days in WWE.
Christian
The 2 time World Champion Christian has been the World Heavyweight Champion for a combined 30 days in his WWE career.
Jeff Hardy
The 2 time World Champion Jeff Hardy was the champion for only 28 days across his 2 Reigns.
Shawn Michaels
HBK Shawn Michaels was a one time World Champion and he was the champion for 28 days in his WWE career.
Table: World Heavyweight Champions from 2002-2013 (According to Number of days as champion)
Position | Wrestler | Days as Champion |
1. | Triple H | 616 |
2. | Batista | 507 |
3. | Edge | 409 |
4. | Alberto Del Rio | 223 |
5. | Sheamus | 210 |
6. | The Undertaker | 207 |
7. | CM Punk | 160 |
8. | Chris Benoit | 154 |
8. | John Cena | 154 |
8. | Kane | 154 |
11. | Rey Mysterio | 140 |
12. | Randy Orton | 138 |
13. | King Booker | 126 |
14. | Chris Jericho | 106 |
15. | Daniel Bryan | 105 |
16. | Mark Henry | 91 |
17. | Goldberg | 84 |
18. | Jack Swagger | 83 |
18. | Kurt Angle | 82 |
20. | Big Show | 72 |
21. | Dolph Ziggler | 69 |
22. | The Great Khali | 61 |
23. | Christian | 30 |
24. | Shawn Michaels | 28 |
24. | Jeff Hardy | 28 |
World Heavyweight Champions (2023 Onwards)
Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins was the first World Heavyweight Champion in the new iteration of this championship. He was the champion for 316 days and he lost it at WrestleMania 40.
Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre had a World Championship reign of just over 5 minutes. He has been a one time World Champion till this point.
Damian Priest
Damian Priest cashed in his Money in the Bank and he won the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40. It is his 3rd day in this reign which will be going for a few months.
Gunther
Gunther is currently the reigning world heavyweight champion from 4th August, 2024. He won it in Summerslam 2024.
