Trish Stratus – WWF Women’s Champion (7 times, 828 days)
Trish made a name for herself at the end of the Attitude Era in a storyline involving Vince McMahon, and his feud with the rest of the McMahon family. She won her first title in late 2001 at Survivor Series. Over the next four years she would hold the title another four times. At New Years Resolution 2005, she defeated Lita for the title, earning her 6th and longest reign of 448 days, a dominant 14-month run which ensured her a place in the WWE Hall of Fame.
She won the title for the last time in a retirement match against long-time rival Lita, She is the third longest reigning champion in the past 25 years. She defeated everyone put in front of her, like many others before.
Billy Gunn – WWF World Tag Team Champion (10 times, 916 days)
Billy Gunn? Well it’s true. Billy Gunn is one of the longest reigning champions in WWE history, and he did it with three tag team partners: Bart Gunn (3 times), Road Dogg (5 times), and Chuck Palumbo (2 times). His first title win was in 1995 when The Smoking Gunns defeated 1-2-3 Kid and Bob Holly on Raw. They won titles in 1995 and 1996 before they split. In 1997, Billy Gunn and Road Dogg formed The New Age Outlaws, and they dominated the tag team division throughout the Attitude Era.
Their longest reign was the first, 125 days between November 1997 and March 1998. They won the title four more times, their last reign racking up 111 days. Billy Gunn returned to tag team dominance in 2002 with the new gimmick of Billy & Chuck, defending the title at Wrestlemania and holding it for 89 days. Billy Gunn is the second longest reigning tag team champion in WWE history, and the second longest champion in the past 25 years. And to think, he never became WWF Champion.
Mr. Fuji – WWWF/WWF Tag Team Champion (5 times, 932 days)
Going old school with Mr Fuji, who is most famous for his managerial abilities. Before he transformed in to an evil manager, he was a dominant tag team wrestler back in 1972. Mr Fuji (left) and Professor Tanaka (right) held the titles for 337 days in their first reign. They lost and reclaimed the titles in 1973, only to lose it again two months later. They waited til 1976 to win the titles back for a third reign.
The team split, and Mr Fuji wouldn’t see gold again til 1981 when he formed a team with Mr. Saito. They won the titles and held them for 258 days. His last reign, again with Mr. Saito, ended in 1982. Ten years of tag team wrestling, and Mr. Fuji ended it as the longest reigning tag team champion in WWE history.
Pedro Morales – WWF World Heavyweight Champion (1 time, 1027 days)
Pedro Morales feels like a forgotten champion to me. You never hear anyone mention his influence on wrestling history. Essentially he was, and remains, the longest reigning champion of Puerto Rican descent. He was immensely popular, and his reign shows that. He remained strong for two years and nine months as champion; that’s got to tell you something. Also, he’s the only champion on the list to have one single reign.
The Glamour Girls – WWF Women’s Tag Team Champions (2 times, 1157 days)
Leilani Kai and Judy Martin are the longest reigning champions of the deactivated Women’s Tag Team Championship. The title was only active between 1983 and 1989, and they kept the belts for over three years. This makes The Glamour Girls the longest reigning tag team champions in WWE history.
John Cena – WWE Champion (12 times, 1240 days)
Yes, you could see him coming. We all know John Cena’s story, and we know he’s not done yet. I wouldn’t like to say anymore except it appears unlikely John Cena will ever reach the #4 spot. But the real question is, can anyone top John Cena in the future? That remains to be seen. John Cena is the longest reigning champion of the past 25 years.
Bob Backlund – WWWF/WWF Championship (2 times, 2138 days)
Backlund often doesn’t get the praise he deserves for carrying the WWF on his back. It was rough for Backlund because the NWA had Ric Flair, and while Flair was a great wrestler, he was always more of a character than an athlete, and Backlund was definitely the better athlete. The fans eventually grew tired of Backlund after his long dominant reign, and his career went out with a whimper. At least until he returned in the 90’s and reclaimed the title one more time. Consider that Backlund held the title for almost six years, and the WWF did not crumble at the feet of the NWA .. he had to be doing something right.
Hulk Hogan – WWF Championship (6 times, 2185 days)
HULKAMANIA! He who shall not be named. Anyways, enough of the silliness, you know Hogan, I know Hogan, his story is well-known. I won’t insult you and go through his reigns. All I will say is Hulk Hogan held the title for six years collectively. He is the longest reigning champion of the past 32 years, and his dominance may never be topped. We can go back to forgetting who this guy is now.
Bruno Sammartino – WWWF Championship (2 times, 4040 days)
Bruno would be a fitting image to put next to the word “champion” in the dictionary. He was an attraction, a star, he sold-out Madison Square Garden, without him we would not be watching wrestling as we know it. Without him the WWE would not be here today. Wrestling fans owe it to the greatest World Champion the WWE has ever known. Over eleven years of unstoppable Bruno; he is the real-life Superman.
At the end of his first reign, when he lost to Ivan Koloff in 1971, the fans were so stunned they didn’t know what to do. Some of them cried, because they had loved Bruno as their champion since 1963, and never wanted to see him lose. That’s respect, and a belief that a true champion is one which remains at the top of the mountain for many years,
The Fabulous Moolah – WWF Women’s Championship (8 times, 10708 days)
Many of you knew this already didn’t you? The Fabulous Moolah is arguably the longest champion of all time .. anywhere. It’s hard to find anyone else who was a champion as long as The Fabulous Moolah. There was just no competition, the fans paid to see her, and anyone else as champion made no sense.
Overall she held the title almost thirty years. Her first reign lasted between 1956 and 1984. She was clearly well-loved, and it’s sad she is no longer with us. Most of us know her for the comedy skits involving Mae Young and other WWE superstars, but I choose to remember her as the most dominant champion in the entire history of wrestling.
Thanks for reading everyone! No idea when I’ll be writing next, regardless I hope you enjoyed this one and don’t judge me too harshly if you find any mistakes; it’s late and I should be asleep. Good night everyone.
