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{{short description|Men's professional wrestling world championship}}
{{about|WWE's long-standing world title|WWE’s other world title created in 2023|World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|other WWE men's world championships|WWE World Championship (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox pro wrestling championship
|name = WWE Championship
|image = [[file:Undisputed WWE Championship.png|210px]]
|caption = The Undisputed WWE Championship belt with default side plates (2023–present).
|currentholder = [[Cody Rhodes]]
|won = August 3, 2025
|aired = <!-- The date the title change aired if different from "won" as some promotions officially recognize the air date for the start of a reign and not the date the match actually took place. -->
|vacated = <!--If the title is vacated, leave "currentholder" and "won" blank and put the vacation date here. The infobox will automatically format the rest.-->
|created = April 25, 1963
|promotion = [[WWE]]
|brand = [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]]
|firstchamp = [[Buddy Rogers (wrestler)|Buddy Rogers]]
|mostreigns = <!-- Do not change to 17. 14 is the correct number of times Cena has held THIS title; his other 3 title reigns were with the now-retired World Heavyweight Championship. -->[[John Cena]]<br>([[List of WWE Champions|14 reigns]])
|longestreign = [[Bruno Sammartino]]<br>(1st reign, 2,803 days)
|shortestreign = [[André the Giant]]<br>(1 minute and 48 seconds)<ref name=Andre>{{cite web|title=The 5 shortest WWE Title reigns in history|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/shortest-wwe-world-heavyweight-title-reigns?|access-date=June 26, 2016}}</ref>
|oldest = [[Vince McMahon|Mr. McMahon]]<br>({{age in years and days|1945|08|24|1999|09|14}})
|youngest = [[Brock Lesnar]]<br>({{age in years and days|1977|07|12|2002|08|25}})
|heaviest = [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]]<br>{{nobr|({{convert|568|lb|kg|abbr=on}})}}
|lightest = [[Rey Mysterio]]<br>{{nobr|({{convert|175|lb|kg|abbr=on}})}}
|pastnames =
* WWWF World Heavyweight Championship<br>(1963–1971)
* WWWF Heavyweight Championship<br>(1971–1979)
* WWF Heavyweight Championship<br>(1979–1983)
* WWF World Heavyweight Championship<br>(1983–1989)
* WWF Championship<br>(1989–2001)
* [[World championships in WWE#WWE Undisputed Championship (2001–2002)|Undisputed WWF Championship]]<br>(2001–2002)
*'''Undisputed WWE Championship'''<br>(2002, 2011, 2024–present){{efn|In all three instances, the "Undisputed WWE Championship" name was used in addition to or alongside the "WWE Championship" designation as a branding.}}
* WWE Undisputed Championship<br>(2002)
* '''WWE Championship'''<br>(2002–2013, 2016–present)
*[[World championships in WWE#WWE World Heavyweight Championship (2013–2016)|WWE World Heavyweight Championship]]<br>(2013–2016)
* WWE World Championship<br>(2016)
* [[World championships in WWE#Undisputed WWE Universal Championship (2022–2024)|Undisputed WWE Universal Championship]]<br>(2022–2024){{efn|Name used when jointly defended with the [[WWE Universal Championship]] as a single title, while both championships continued to retain their own separate lineages.}}
}}
The '''WWE Championship''', also referred to as the '''Undisputed WWE Championship''' since April 2024, is a men's [[professional wrestling]] [[World championship (professional wrestling)|world heavyweight championship]] created and promoted by the American [[professional wrestling promotion|promotion]] [[WWE]], defended on the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] [[WWE brand extension|brand division]]. It is one of two men's world titles on WWE's main roster, along with the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] on [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]. The current champion is [[Cody Rhodes]], who is in his second reign. He won the title by defeating previous champion [[John Cena]] in a [[Street Fight match|Street Fight]] on Night 2 of [[SummerSlam (2025)|SummerSlam]] on August 3, 2025.
The original world championship of the promotion, it was established by the then-[[History of WWE#World Wide Wrestling Federation|World Wide Wrestling Federation]] (WWWF) on April 25, 1963, as the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship, after the promotion seceded from the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA) following a dispute over the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]. The inaugural champion was [[Buddy Rogers (wrestler)|Buddy Rogers]]. Since its inception, the title has undergone many name changes due to company name changes and title unifications. It is the oldest championship currently active in WWE, and is presented as being the promotion's most prestigious title, with many matches for the title having headlined [[List of WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming supercards|pay-per-view and livestreaming events]]—including WWE's flagship event [[WrestleMania]]. In professional wrestling in general, it is considered to be one of the most prestigious championships of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-magnificent-seven-the-top-7-most-prestigious-american-wrestling-championships-of-all-time/|title=The Magnificent Seven: The Top 7 Most Prestigious American Wrestling Championships of All Time|date=October 4, 2014|last=Chin|first=Mike|work=[[411Mania]]|access-date=February 20, 2018}}</ref>
From its inception until 2001, it was promoted as WWE's sole primary championship. An additional world title, the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|WCW Championship]], was added after the then-[[History of WWE#World Wrestling Federation|World Wrestling Federation]]'s (WWF) purchase of [[World Championship Wrestling]] in early 2001. The titles were later unified as the [[World championships in WWE#WWE Undisputed Championship (2001–2002)|Undisputed WWF Championship]]. After the first brand split in 2002 and the promotion being [[History of WWE#World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE|renamed to WWE]], the championship became exclusive to SmackDown, dropping the "undisputed" moniker, while the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship (2002–2013 version)]] was created for Raw. [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] became a third brand in 2006, adding the [[ECW Championship]]. That title was deactivated in 2010, and the World Heavyweight Championship was unified into the WWE Championship in 2013. The championship was again the sole world title of WWE until the introduction of the [[WWE Universal Championship]] with the 2016 brand split and then a new [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] in 2023. From April 2022 until April 2024, the WWE and Universal titles were held and defended together as the [[Undisputed WWE Universal Championship]], maintaining their individual lineages until the Universal title was deactivated in April 2024, with the WWE title subsequently referred to as the Undisputed WWE Championship. During both brand splits, the WWE Championship has switched brands, usually as a result of the [[WWE Draft]]; the [[2023 WWE Draft|2023 draft]] moved it back to SmackDown.
== History ==
=== Origin ===
[[File:WRESTLING NEWS -1 1976 All Star Edition Living Legend BRUNO SAMMARTINO Photo.jpg|thumb|right|175px|Two-time champion [[Bruno Sammartino]]. His first reign is the longest at over seven years (2,803 days) and he has the longest combined reign (4,040 days); he is pictured here in his second reign (1973–1982 belt design) when the title was known as the WWWF Heavyweight Championship.]]
The title was introduced in 1963 with [[Buddy Rogers (wrestler)|Buddy Rogers]] becoming the first champion. Its backstory began in the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA), which had various territorial member [[Professional wrestling promotion|promotions]]. In the 1950s, [[Capitol Wrestling Corporation]] (CWC) was a member of the NWA and by 1963, its executives held a controlling stake over NWA operations. During this time, Buddy Rogers held the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] until January 24, when [[Lou Thesz]] defeated Rogers for the championship in a one-fall match. Claiming the title can only be contested in a traditional two-out-of-three falls match, CWC disputed the title change, and thus seceded from the NWA and became the [[History of WWE#World Wide Wrestling Federation|World Wide Wrestling Federation]] (WWWF). The WWWF World Heavyweight Championship was then established and awarded to Buddy Rogers with the explanation that he won a fictional tournament in [[Rio de Janeiro]], supposedly defeating [[Antonino Rocca]] in the finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwe-world-heavyweight-championship/30445411|title=Rogers' 1st reign|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=November 9, 2014|archive-date=January 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119192144/https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwe-world-heavyweight-championship/30445411|url-status=dead}}</ref> After several years, the WWWF became affiliated with the NWA once again; one of the caveats of rejoining is that the championship would no longer be recognised as a "world championship", and only as a regional heavyweight championship.<ref name="Hornbaker">{{cite book |last1=Hornbaker |first1=Tim |title=National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly that Strangled Pro Wrestling |date=2007 |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=978-1-4596-5345-0 |pages=192 |quote=Mindful of the pros and cons of being a member, McMahon rejoined the NWA at the 1971 convention in Mexico City. One requirement by the Alliance was that Morales' WWWF championship be recognized as a regional heavyweight title, and not a "world" title.}}</ref> In 1979, the WWWF was renamed [[History of WWE#World Wrestling Federation|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF), and then after conclusively ending its affiliation with the NWA in 1983, the title regained its "world championship" status and was renamed the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Although the full name appeared on the championship belts until 1998, the name was often abbreviated to WWF Championship, which became its official name in 1998.
=== Monday Night War and unification ===
{{further|Championship unification}}
[[File:Professional Wrestling World Titles Diagram.png|300px|thumb|A diagram showing the evolution of various wrestling world championships and the way they are connected to the WWE Championship.]]
In 1991, [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), a member of the NWA, established the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] to replace the NWA's world title. In 1993, WCW seceded from the NWA and grew to become a rival promotion to the WWF. Both organizations grew into mainstream prominence and were eventually involved in a [[Nielsen ratings|television ratings]] war, dubbed the [[Monday Night War]]. Near the end of the ratings war, WCW began a [[History of World Championship Wrestling#Signs of a decline (1998–2001)|financial decline]], which culminated in WWF [[History of World Championship Wrestling#Acquisition by the World Wrestling Federation and aftermath|purchasing WCW]] in March 2001.<ref name="Purchase">{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2001/2001_03_23.jsp|access-date=May 24, 2008|title=WWE Entertainment, Inc. acquires WCW from Turner Broadcasting|publisher=[[WWE]] Corporate|date=March 23, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050408044957/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2001/2001_03_23.jsp|archive-date=April 8, 2005}}</ref> As a result of the purchase, the WWF acquired, among other assets, [[World Championship Wrestling#Final champions|WCW's championships]]. Thus, there were two world titles in the WWF: the original WWF Championship and the WCW Championship, which was eventually renamed the "World Championship".<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE Raw Results|website=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=November 10, 2015|url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/011119.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Monday Night Raw – November 19, 2001: That's One Heck Of A Reset|website=KB's Wrestling Reviews|date=July 29, 2012|access-date=November 10, 2015|url=https://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2012/07/29/monday-night-raw-november-19-2001-thats-one-heck-of-a-reset/}}</ref>
[[File:HHH after winning the WWE Undisputed Championship.jpg|175px|thumb|left|Nine-time champion [[Triple H]] shown holding the [[WCW Championship]] in his right hand, and the WWF Championship. Together, these two titles were used in tandem to represent the [[World championships in WWE#WWE Undisputed Championship (2001–2002)|Undisputed WWF Championship]] from December 9, 2001, to April 1, 2002.]]
In December 2001, the two championships were [[Championship unification|unified]] at [[Vengeance (2001)|Vengeance]]. At the event, [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] defeated [[Kurt Angle]] to retain the WWF Championship, while [[Chris Jericho]] defeated [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] for the World Championship. After this, Jericho then defeated Austin, unifying the WWF and World Championships, and becoming the first [[World championships in WWE#WWE Undisputed Championship (2001–2002)|Undisputed WWF Championship]]; the Undisputed championship retained the lineage of the WWF Championship and the World Championship was retired.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541104|title=WCW World Champion – Chris Jericho|work=WWE.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215113326/https://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541104|archive-date=February 15, 2008}}</ref> Subsequently, the Big Eagle Belt (formerly representing the WWF Championship) and the [[Big Gold Belt]] (formerly representing the World Championship) were used in tandem to represent the [[Undisputed championship (professional wrestling)|Undisputed Championship]].<ref>[https://www.wwe.com/classics/era-of-unification/page-5 The complex history of WWE's era of unification]. WWE.com (September 12, 2012). Retrieved on September 5, 2013.</ref><ref name="W-T">{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwf/wwf-h.html|title=WWWF/WWF/WWE World Heavyweight Title|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com|access-date=March 18, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08312007/articles/worldtitleturnsfive|title=World Heavyweight Championship turns five years old|last=Clayton|first=Corey|date=September 6, 2007|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]| access-date=December 23, 2008}}</ref> Jericho held the championship for four months until he lost it at [[WrestleMania X8]] against [[Triple H]], who was soon after presented with a single championship belt.<ref name="Undisputedbelt"/> Following the company's rebranding from WWF to WWE, the championship's name was officially changed to the Undisputed WWE Championship, and later to the WWE Undisputed Championship.
=== First brand split ===
[[File:Cena With Spinner Belt.jpg|left|175px|thumb|Record 14-time WWE Champion [[John Cena]] – shown with the "Spinner Belt", which was used to represent the title from 2005 to 2013]]
The Undisputed Championship continued up through the beginning of the first [[WWE brand extension|brand split]], which saw wrestlers being drafted to the company's main [[List of current WWE programming|television programs]], ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' and ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]]'', each show representing the brand of the same name, with championships assigned to and authority figures appointed for each brand.<ref name="BrandExtensionPressRelease">{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp|title=WWE Entertainment To Make RAW and SMACKDOWN Distinct Television Brands|access-date=April 26, 2009|archive-date=October 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017025205/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref> The holder of the Undisputed Championship was the only male wrestler allowed to appear on both shows.
In May 2002, the WWF was renamed [[History of WWE#World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) and the championships were renamed accordingly. At first, the championship remained unaffiliated with either brand as wrestlers from both brands could challenge the champion. Following the appointment of [[Eric Bischoff]] and [[Stephanie McMahon]] as [[Professional wrestling authority figures|General Managers]] of [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]], respectively, Stephanie McMahon convinced then-Undisputed Champion [[Brock Lesnar]] to become exclusive to the SmackDown brand, leaving the Raw brand without a world title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/lesnar.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160117225113/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/lesnar.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 17, 2016|title=Brock Lesnar Biography at SLAM! Sports|work=SLAM! Sports: Wrestling|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=December 21, 2008|quote=After the July 22nd episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', Lesnar defected to Stephanie McMahon's SmackDown. Lesnar decided to remain exclusively on SmackDown, forcing Eric Bischoff's Raw brand to create its own World Championship.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/mcmahon-vince.html|title=Vince Mcmahon Biography at SLAM! Sports|work=SLAM! Sports: Wrestling|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=December 21, 2008|quote=The entire WWE roster was broken up into two separate camps, yahoo, with some rivalry (especially between future General Managers Eric Bischoff and Stephanie McMahon) occurring.|archive-date=June 29, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629092345/https://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/mcmahon-vince.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In response, on September 2, Bischoff disputed Lesnar's status as champion, stating Lesnar was refusing to defend his title against the designated No. 1 contender, Triple H, and awarded the latter with the newly created [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]]. Immediately afterward, Lesnar's championship dropped the epithet "Undisputed" and became known as the WWE Championship.<ref name="Raw9/2">{{cite web|last=Nemer|first=Paul|title=Full WWE RAW Results – 9/2/02|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/news/1031022615.shtml|date=September 2, 2002|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=December 20, 2008}}</ref>
Over the course of the first brand split, the WWE Championship was used as the world title of the SmackDown brand twice and of the Raw brand three times. In all but two cases, the WWE Championship switched brands as a result of the [[WWE draft|annual draft]]. In June 2006, WWE established [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] as a third brand, on which former [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] stars and newer talent competed. When ECW's [[Rob Van Dam]] won the WWE Championship at [[ECW One Night Stand (2006)|ECW One Night Stand]] on June 11, 2006, the championship briefly became a world title of the ECW brand; the [[ECW World Heavyweight Championship]] was subsequently reactivated for the ECW brand upon Van Dam's title win. Van Dam held both titles until he lost the WWE Championship to Raw's [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] the following month. The ECW brand was disbanded in 2010, subsequently deactivating the ECW Championship. In April 2011, WWE ceased going by its full name with the "WWE" abbreviation becoming an [[orphaned initialism]], and the first brand split ended that August.
Just prior to the end of the first brand split, a [[Angle (professional wrestling)|storyline]] saw [[CM Punk]] vowing to leave the company with the WWE Championship when his contract expired on July 17, 2011, the date of the [[Money in the Bank (2011)|2011]] [[WWE Money in the Bank|Money in the Bank]] pay-per-view. At the event, Punk succeeded in defeating the defending champion [[John Cena]] to win the title, and left the company with the physical championship belt. Subsequently, the championship was vacated and [[Rey Mysterio]] won an eight-man tournament by defeating [[The Miz]] in the finals to be crowned the new WWE Champion, only to subsequently lose it later that night to Cena, for the latter's [[List of WWE Champions|record ninth reign]]. Punk then returned to WWE with his own championship belt, [[interim champion|disputing Cena's claim to the title]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2011-07-29/results|title=SmackDown results: Truth and Consequences |publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=July 30, 2011}}</ref> The two WWE Champions wrestled each other at [[SummerSlam (2011)|SummerSlam]] in what was billed as a match for the "Undisputed WWE Championship"; Punk defeated Cena to solidify his claim on the title, but [[Alberto Del Rio]] immediately cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to capture the undisputed championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CM Punk def. John Cena; Alberto Del Rio cashed in Raw Money in the Bank briefcase (New Undisputed WWE Champion) {{!}} WWE |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/2011/cena-punk-wwe-title |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=www.wwe.com |language=en}}</ref>
=== Reunification and second brand split ===
[[File:Daniel Bryan WWE Champion.jpg|thumb|250px|Four-time champion [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]], shown with the 2013–2014 version of the WWE Championship belt (in his right hand) and the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]], which were used in tandem to represent the [[World championships in WWE#WWE World Heavyweight Championship (2013–2016)|WWE World Heavyweight Championship]] from December 2013 to August 2014]]
Following the end of the first brand split in August 2011, both the WWE Champion and World Heavyweight Champion could appear on both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown''. In November 2013, the night after [[Survivor Series (2013)|Survivor Series]], reigning World Heavyweight Champion John Cena made a challenge to reigning WWE Champion [[Randy Orton]] to determine WWE's undisputed world champion. Orton defeated Cena in a [[Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match|TLC match]] at the [[TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2013)|TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs]] pay-per-view on December 15, 2013, to unify the titles. Subsequently, the unified championship was renamed WWE World Heavyweight Championship and retained the lineage of the WWE Championship; the World Heavyweight Championship was retired.<ref>{{cite web|title=CALDWELL'S WWE TLC PPV RESULTS 12/15: Live, in-person coverage of Cena vs. Orton unification match from Houston|url=https://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_75121.shtml|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=December 15, 2013}}</ref> Orton and subsequent champions held both championship belts until a single championship belt was given to reigning champion Brock Lesnar in August 2014.<ref name="2014Belt"/>
After [[Dean Ambrose]] became champion in June 2016, the title's name was reverted to WWE Championship.<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Mike|title=Future of top WWE championship already hinted at|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/103003/future-of-top-wwe-championship-already-hinted-at-new-battleground-ppv-bout-and-more-wwe-news.html?p=1|website=PWInsider.com|access-date=June 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Benigno|first1=Anthony|title=Seth Rollins addressed 'The Roman Reigns Scandal'|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2016-06-27/article/seth-rollins-addressed-roman-reigns-controversy|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref><ref name="WWE Championship">{{cite web|title=WWE Championship|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwe-championship|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=June 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629011310/https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwe-championship|archive-date=June 29, 2016}}</ref> In light of the return of the [[WWE brand extension|brand split]] the following month, Ambrose was [[2016 WWE draft|drafted to SmackDown]]. Ambrose then retained his title at [[Battleground (2016)|Battleground]] on July 24 against Raw draftees [[Seth Rollins]] and [[Roman Reigns]], making the title exclusive to SmackDown.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=7/24 WWE Battleground Results – Caldwell's Complete Report|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/07/24/jcbattlegroundppvreport/|publisher=[[Pro Wrestling Torch]]|date=July 24, 2016|access-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref> On the July 25 episode of ''Raw'', to address the lack of a world title for the brand, the [[WWE Universal Championship]] was created; [[Finn Bálor]] became the inaugural champion at [[SummerSlam (2016)|SummerSlam]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Hamlin|first=Jeff|title=WWE Raw live results: title match set for SummerSlam & a new champion is crowned|date=July 26, 2016 |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-raw-live-results-title-match-set-summerslam-new-champion-crowned-217286|publisher=[[Wrestling Observer]]|access-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref> After the unveiling of the Universal title, the WWE Championship was renamed WWE World Championship,<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE SmackDown Live results, July 26, 2016|date=July 22, 2016 |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/smackdown-live-july-26-2016|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref><ref name="WWE World Championship">{{cite web|title=WWE World Championship|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwe-world-championship|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=July 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727050411/https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwe-world-championship|archive-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref> but reverted to WWE Championship in December 2016 during [[AJ Styles]]' first reign.<ref name="WWEChampionshipDec2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwe-championship|title=WWE Championship|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=December 13, 2016|archive-date=December 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214011819/https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwe-championship}}</ref>
The title changed hands for the first time outside of North America when AJ Styles defeated [[Jinder Mahal]] to win his second WWE Championship in [[Manchester]], England on the November 7, 2017, episode of ''SmackDown''. This was also the first time in nearly 15 years that the championship changed hands on an episode of ''SmackDown''; the last time was in 2003 when Brock Lesnar defeated Kurt Angle for the title.<ref name="SmackDown11072017">{{cite web|date=November 7, 2017|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 11/7: Jinder vs. Styles for WWE Title, Usos vs. Jordan & Gable for Tag Team Titles|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/11/07/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-117-jinder-vs-styles-wwe-title-usos-vs-jordan-gable-tag-team-titles/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108052317/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/11/07/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-117-jinder-vs-styles-wwe-title-usos-vs-jordan-gable-tag-team-titles/|archive-date=November 8, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
At [[Crown Jewel (2019)|Crown Jewel]] on October 31, 2019, SmackDown wrestler [["The Fiend" Bray Wyatt]] won the Universal Championship, thus transferring the title to SmackDown. Also at that event, after reigning WWE Champion Brock Lesnar had defeated [[Cain Velasquez]] to retain the title, he was attacked by Raw's [[Rey Mysterio]], who Lesnar had attacked a few weeks prior.<ref name="CrownJewel2019">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell's live review of Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez for the WWE Championship, Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt in a Falls Count Anywhere match for the WWE Universal Championship, Braun Strowman vs. Tyson Fury, Lacey Evans vs. Natalya|date=October 31, 2019|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/10/31/wwe-crown-jewel-results-powells-live-review-of-brock-lesnar-vs-cain-velasquez-for-the-wwe-championship-seth-rollins-vs-bray-wyatt-in-a-falls-count-anywhere-match-for-the-wwe-universal-championsh/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=October 31, 2019}}</ref> The following night on ''Friday Night SmackDown'', Lesnar quit SmackDown and went to Raw to continue his feud with Mysterio, thus transferring the WWE Championship to Raw.<ref name="SmackDown11012019">{{cite web|date=November 1, 2019|first=Brent|last=Brookhouse|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-shocking-nxt-invasion-brock-lesnar-quits-and-moves-to-raw/|title=WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Shocking NXT invasion, Brock Lesnar quits and moves to Raw|work=[[CBSSports]]|access-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102152426/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-shocking-nxt-invasion-brock-lesnar-quits-and-moves-to-raw/|archive-date=November 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Universal Championship coexistence ===
[[File:Roman Reigns RR24 (2).jpg|right|170px|thumb|[[Roman Reigns]] with the Undisputed WWE Championship belt (2023–present), which originally represented both the WWE and [[WWE Universal Championship|Universal Championship]]s as the [[Undisputed WWE Universal Championship]]. After Reigns lost the title to [[Cody Rhodes]] in April 2024, the Universal Championship was officially retired, and the belt now solely represents the WWE Championship.]]
At [[WrestleMania 38]] Night 2 on April 3, 2022, SmackDown's Universal Champion Roman Reigns defeated reigning WWE Champion Brock Lesnar in a [[Winner Takes All match]] to claim both world championships and then become recognized as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. WWE promoted Reigns as a double champion, defending both titles together across both brands as the [[Undisputed WWE Universal Championship]].<ref name="WM38N2">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WrestleMania 38 results: Powell's live review of night two with Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for the Unified WWE Championship, RK-Bro vs. The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy for the Raw Tag Titles, Edge vs. AJ Styles, Johnny Knoxville vs. Sami Zayn in an Anything Goes match, Pat McAfee vs. Austin Theory, Bobby Lashley vs. Omos|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/04/03/wrestlemania-38-results-powells-live-review-of-night-two-with-roman-reigns-vs-brock-lesnar-for-the-unified-wwe-championship-rk-bro-vs-the-street-profits-vs-alpha-academy-for-the-raw-tag-titles/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=April 3, 2022|access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref> On the April 24, 2023, episode of ''Raw'', WWE Chief Content Officer [[Triple H]] announced that regardless of what brand Reigns was drafted to in the [[2023 WWE Draft]], he and his undisputed championship would become exclusive to that brand. Triple H subsequently unveiled a [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|new World Heavyweight Championship]] for the opposing brand, which was won by Seth Rollins at [[Night of Champions (2023)|Night of Champions]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Andrew |date=April 25, 2023 |title=Paul Levesque unveils new World Heavyweight Title, champion to be crowned at WWE Night of Champions |url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/04/24/paul-levesque-unveils-new-world-heavyweight-title-champion-to-be-crowned-at-wwe-night-of-champions/ |access-date=April 25, 2023 |website=POST Wrestling |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Raw04242023">{{cite web |last=Keller |first=Wade |date=April 24, 2023 |title=4/24 WWE Raw results: Keller's report on Triple H announcement, Bad Bunny appearing in person, Rey vs. Priest |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/04/24/4-24-wwe-monday-night-raw-results-kellers-report-on-bad-bunny-appearing-in-person-rey-vs-priest-last-pre-wwe-draft-episode/ |access-date=April 24, 2023 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> As Reigns was drafted to SmackDown, the World Heavyweight Championship became exclusive to Raw.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/results/wwe-smackdown-live-results-wwe-draft-begins|title=WWE SmackDown live results: The WWE Draft begins|date=April 28, 2023|last=Bath|first=Dave|work=[[Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online]]|access-date=April 28, 2023}}</ref>
On the June 2, 2023, episode of ''SmackDown'', Triple H presented Reigns with a new singular championship belt to represent the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.<ref name="UWU-belt">{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-unveils-new-undisputed-wwe-universal-championship-belt|title=WWE unveils new Undisputed WWE Universal Championship belt|date=June 2, 2023|last=Rose|first=Bryan|work=[[Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online]]|access-date=June 5, 2023}}</ref> Amidst confusion of the lineages, ''Fightful'' reported that WWE confirmed to them that the two championships were still in fact separate lineages, represented by one belt.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/more-on-wwe-84385045|title=More on WWE streamlining titles, future plans|date=June 11, 2023|work=Fightful|access-date=June 11, 2023|url-access=subscription}}</ref> This was also represented on [[WWE.com]], with both Reigns and [[Cody Rhodes]], who defeated Reigns at [[WrestleMania XL]], being listed as champions of both individual titles. However, after Rhodes defeated Reigns, the title began to be referred to as the Undisputed WWE Championship. The following year, after John Cena defeated Rhodes at [[WrestleMania 41]], the Universal Championship's lineage was amended, retiring the title with Reigns recognized as its final champion. The WWE Championship, however, continues to be referred to as the Undisputed WWE Championship.<ref name="Universal-Retired">{{cite web|url=https://www.sescoops.com/news/wwe/wwe-retires-universal-championship/|title=WWE Quietly Retires World Title After WrestleMania 41|date=April 22, 2025|last=Bajpai|first=Anutosh|work=SEScoops|access-date=April 22, 2025}}</ref>
== Brand designation ==
With the first brand split, an annual [[WWE draft|draft]] was established in 2002. Each year (except 2003), the General Managers participated in a draft lottery in which select members of WWE's roster were assigned to a brand. The revived ECW became a third brand from 2006 to 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06112007/articles/drafthistory |title=Draft History|last=Dee|first=Louie|date=June 7, 2007|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=December 21, 2008}}</ref> On August 29, 2011, WWE ended the brand extension and wrestlers (including all champions), were then free to appear on any program.
On July 19, 2016, ''SmackDown'' moved to Tuesdays and became a live show with its own set of wrestlers and writers, separate from ''Raw'', thus reintroducing the brand split. The draft took place on the live premiere of ''SmackDown''.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE's destiny to be determined during SmackDown's LIVE premiere|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/live-draft-smackdown-premiere|publisher=WWE|date=June 20, 2016|access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref> On the July 18 episode of ''Raw'', SmackDown Commissioner [[Shane McMahon]] named [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]] the SmackDown General Manager and Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon named [[Mick Foley]] the Raw General Manager.<ref name="WWE Championship"/><ref>{{cite web|title=WWE Championship name change official, Bellas and more news|url=https://pwinsider.com/article/103028/wwe-championship-name-change-official-bellas-and-more-news.html?p=1|work=Pro Wrestling Insider|last=Fernandes|first=Steven|date=June 28, 2016|access-date=June 29, 2016}}</ref>
Below is a list of dates indicating the transitions of the WWE Championship between the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands.
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%; text-align:center; width:75%;"
|-
! Date of transition || Brand || Notes
|-
|{{nowrap|August 26, 2002}}
|style="background:#bbf;"|[[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]]
|WWE Undisputed Champion [[Brock Lesnar]] signed with [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]], making the title exclusive to the brand.<br>The title was renamed to WWE Championship after the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship (original)]] was established for [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Nemer|first=Paul|title=Full WWE RAW Results - 9/2/02|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/news/1031022615.shtml|work=Wrestleview|date=September 2, 2002|access-date=June 29, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|June 6, 2005
|style="background:#fbb;"|[[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]
|WWE Champion [[John Cena]] was drafted to [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] during the [[2005 WWE Draft Lottery]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/draftlottery1|title=2005 WWE Draft Lottery|date=June 13, 2005| publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=December 21, 2008}}</ref>
|-
|June 11, 2006
|style="background:#ddd;"|[[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]]
|Following WWE's revival of [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] as a third brand dubbed [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]], [[Rob Van Dam]] was chosen by ECW representative [[Paul Heyman]] to move to the new brand.<br>At [[ECW One Night Stand (2006)|ECW One Night Stand]], Van Dam cashed in his [[Money in the Bank contract]] and defeated [[John Cena]] to win the WWE Championship, thus transferring the title to ECW.<br>The [[ECW World Heavyweight Championship]] was reactivated and awarded to Van Dam, who held both titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2011/06/26/ecw-on-sci-fi-june-13-2006-debut-episode-complete-with-a-zombie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515025702/https://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2011/06/26/ecw-on-sci-fi-june-13-2006-debut-episode-complete-with-a-zombie/ |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |title=ECW On Sci-Fi – June 13, 2006 – Debut Episode, Complete With A Zombie |last=Hall |first=Thomas |work=KB's Wrestling Reviews |date=June 26, 2011 |access-date=September 2, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|July 3, 2006
|style="background:#fbb;"|[[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]
|The WWE Championship was returned to [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] after [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] defeated [[Rob Van Dam]] and [[John Cena]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Zack|last=Zeigler|date=July 4, 2006|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07032006/articles/edgereclaimswwechampionship|title=Edge reclaims WWE Championship|publisher=WWE|access-date=May 18, 2008}}</ref>
|-
|June 23, 2008
|style="background:#bbf;"|[[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]]
|WWE Champion [[Triple H]] was drafted to [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] during the [[2008 WWE Draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_26020.shtml|title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW REPORT 6/23: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live three-hour Draft Raw|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=June 23, 2008|access-date=May 25, 2017|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>
|-
|April 13, 2009
|style="background:#fbb;"|[[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]
|WWE Champion [[Triple H]] was drafted back to [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] during the [[2009 WWE Draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04132009/mainarticle|access-date=April 20, 2009|date=April 13, 2009|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|title=Rough Draft|publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><br>Both the [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] brand and renamed [[ECW Championship]] were deactivated in 2010.
|-
|August 29, 2011
|N/A
|End of first brand split. The WWE Champion could appear on both ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' and ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]]''.<br>The WWE Championship and the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|original World Heavyweight Championship]] were unified in December 2013, with the World Heavyweight Championship retired as a result.
|-
|July 19, 2016
|style="background:#bbf;"|[[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]]
|Reintroduction of the brand split.<br>WWE Champion [[Dean Ambrose]] was drafted to [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] during the [[2016 WWE Draft]].<br>The [[WWE Universal Championship]] was created for [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]].
|
|November 1, 2019
|style="background:#fbb;"|[[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]
|WWE Champion [[Brock Lesnar]] quit [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] and transferred to [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]].
|-
|April 28, 2023
|style="background:#bbf;"|[[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]]
|[[Undisputed WWE Universal Champion]] [[Roman Reigns]] was drafted to [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] during the [[2023 WWE Draft]].<br>A [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2023–present)|new World Heavyweight Championship]] was created for [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]].<br>The WWE Championship has then been referred to as the Undisputed WWE Championship since April 2024, after the Universal Championship was retired.
|}
== Belt designs ==
=== 1963–1982 ===
[[File:Buddy Rogers original WWWF World Heavyweight Championship.png|thumb|upright|left|[[Buddy Rogers (wrestler)|Buddy Rogers]] with the original title belt used to represent the then-WWWF World Heavyweight Championship]]
When introduced in 1963, the original WWWF World Heavyweight Championship was represented by a United States championship belt that Buddy Rogers had defended in various territories prior to becoming the inaugural WWWF world champion. The center plate of this belt was an outline of the continental United States and there were two shield-shaped side plates with grapplers on them; the plates were on a red leather strap. On the center plate, there was a circle flanked by grapplers, and the circle was designed to contain a photograph of the titleholder. Above the circle was a shield with an eagle atop it with stars on opposite sides of the shield. The caption "World's Champion" was added below the circle. This title belt was worn by the inaugural champion Buddy Rogers in 1963 and the second champion Bruno Sammartino.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/original-wwe-championship-lost-and-found|title=From The Garden to an attic: How the original WWE Title was lost for 50 years — and found|date=March 16, 2013|last=Murphy|first=Ryan|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=May 19, 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Bruno WWWF Champion.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Bruno Sammartino]] holding the 1971–1972 version of the WWWF Heavyweight Championship belt]]
After Sammartino became champion, a new title belt on a blue strap was created and used until 1965. The enlarged center piece contained a crowned globe and two grapplers, and read "WWWF World Champion"; the two side plates commemorated Sammartino's title win. This belt was stolen in September 1965; a new belt was created with a mostly similar design with a couple of minor differences with the design of the side plates. This is the most recognizable version of Sammartino's belt that was used until 1971 and has been called the "holy grail of professional wrestling artifacts". After defeating Sammartino in January 1971, [[Ivan Koloff]] held Sammartino's belt for three weeks before losing it to [[Pedro Morales]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prowrestlinghall.org/post/ipwhf-acquires-bruno-sammartino-title-belt-holy-grail-of-pro-wrestling-artifacts|title=IPWHF to enshrine Bruno Sammartino title belt, 'holy grail' of pro wrestling artifacts|orig-date=May 24, 2020|date=June 4, 2022|author=IPWHF News|work=[[International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]|access-date=May 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prowrestlinghall.org/bruno-belt|title=BRUNO'S BELT|work=[[International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]|access-date=May 13, 2023}}</ref><ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/history-wwe-championship|title=The history of the WWE Championship|date=February 15, 2013|last1=Melok|first1=Bobby|last2=Powers|first2=Kevin|work=[[WWE]].com|access-date=May 19, 2017}}</ref><ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory2">{{cite video|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-7ssvZxnfVk&feature=youtu.be|title=WWE's rare WWE Title collection revealed!|date=April 27, 2023|author=[[WWE]]|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=May 2, 2023}}</ref>
[[File:Superstar Billy Graham, September 1977.jpg|thumb|upright|[["Superstar" Billy Graham]] with his red leather variation of the then-WWWF Heavyweight Championship in 1977]]
During Morales's reign, the championship belt was updated several times. First in 1971, this design was on an [[indigo]] colored strap and contained three shield-shaped plates. Below the center plate, which read "World Heavyweight Champion" and had a cross at its center, a separate horizontal plate read "WWWF". This was replaced with another design in 1972. This version, on a red strap, read "WWWF Heavyweight Wrestling Champion" around the edges with an eagle at the center, while six side plates represented several countries. 1973 saw the introduction of another yet similar design; this one was on a black strap and contained two grapplers above a differently designed eagle. This version was subsequently held by [[Stan Stasiak]], Bruno Sammartino, [["Superstar" Billy Graham]] – who wore a red leather variation – and [[Bob Backlund]]. During the latter's reign, the promotion's name was shortened to World Wrestling Federation (WWF), but the physical championship belt still read "WWWF".<ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory"/><ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory2"/>
=== 1982–2005 ===
[[File:Hulk Hogan, 1985.jpg|thumb|upright|Six-time champion [[Hulk Hogan]] with the "Big Green Belt" (1983–1984) version of the then-WWF World Heavyweight Championship]]
[[File:WWF Champion Randy Savage running.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Two-time champion [[Randy Savage]] with the "Winged Eagle" (1988–1998) version of the then-WWF Championship]]
[[File:Therockaswwfchampion b.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Eight-time champion [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] with the "Big Eagle"/"Attitude Era" (1998–2002) version of the then-WWF Championship; this design was used in tandem with the [[Big Gold Belt]] to represent the Undisputed Championship from December 2001 until April 2002]]
After the previous design was destroyed, a new design was introduced in January 1983, nicknamed the "Big Green Belt" due to its size and the color of its strap. This was the first to be created under the WWF name. It included eight (later ten) side plates dedicated to the previous champions. The center plate featured a wrestler holding up a championship belt with a globe behind him. This design, held by Bob Backlund, [[The Iron Sheik]], and [[Hulk Hogan]], was replaced first by the "Hogan '84" design during the spring of 1984, then by the nearly identical "Hogan '85" design, which first appeared at WrestleMania 1. Both were called "Hogan" belts as they were only worn by Hulk Hogan, and they were similar in design to the [[NWA Television Championship]] at the time. The '84 belt consisted of a dual-plated gold and silver main plate as well as two dual-plated side plates on each side. The main plate was engraved with red lettering. The '85 belt had a silver and black main plate with raised silver lettering and the same side plates as the '84 belt. Both belts included black straps. Both center plates read "WWF" at the top, below that was an eagle with two banners below it reading "World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion". The bottom read "World Wrestling Federation" and above that was a name plate commemorating Hogan's title win, while the side plates noted previous champions. In October 1985, a new belt was introduced and was again only worn by Hogan. This belt is erroneously known as the "Hogan '86" belt. The center plate featured a globe in the center, along with Roman columns and olive branches. It read "World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion" and included the famous WWF block logo at the top, while four side plates had flags (two flags per side plate) representing the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Soviet Union, and Italy.<ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory"/><ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory2"/>
On February 5, 1988, just before ending his first championship reign, Hogan introduced another new design, the "Winged Eagle" championship belt, which became the primary design for the next decade with many wrestlers holding this version, and is considered the most popular design of the championship. Its nickname is derived from the eagle's wings seemingly coming off of the center plate, which included the block WWF logo and read "World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion". The championship belt also had four identical side plates. Apart from the usual black leather strap, [[The Ultimate Warrior]] wore white, light blue, yellow, and purple variations, with the latter also worn by [[Sgt. Slaughter]]. In March 1998, after "Stone Cold" Steve Austin became champion, he was presented with a new design, often dubbed the "Big Eagle" or "[[Attitude Era]]" championship belt. The center plate was similar to the previous design, but became fully rounded, and the side plates were updated with the inner side plates containing the [[McMahon family]] crest of a lion holding a shield that had the WWF logo. When it was unveiled, it originally contained the block WWF logo and was on a blue strap, but was updated in November 1998 to the WWF scratch logo and on a black strap. In addition to the logo, it read "World Wrestling Federation Champion".<ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory"/><ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory2"/>
[[File: Brock Lesnar - WWE Champion.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Seven-time champion [[Brock Lesnar]] with the WWE Undisputed Championship belt (2002–2005); he was the last to hold this as the Undisputed Championship as the title became the WWE Championship in September 2002]]
After [[Chris Jericho]] unified the WWF and World Championships into the Undisputed WWF Championship, the "Big Eagle" championship belt was used in tandem with the "[[Big Gold Belt]]", the former WCW Championship belt, until a single Undisputed Championship belt was introduced to champion [[Triple H]] on the April 1, 2002, episode of ''Raw''.<ref name="Undisputedbelt">{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/era-of-unification/page-5|title=The unification of the WWE Championship and WCW Championship|publisher=WWE}}</ref> This new belt, dubbed the "Undisputed Championship Belt", was designed by [[New York City|New York]]-based tattoo artist Keith Ciaramello. Taking inspiration from WCW, this design included a name plate, and like the previous two designs, it had an eagle atop the globe. There were also stars seemingly shooting out from the globe. It originally had the WWF scratch logo and read "World Wrestling Federation Champion"; after the promotion was renamed World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in May 2002, both the scratch logo and wording were changed accordingly. The inner side plates on this design also contained the McMahon family crest of a lion holding a shield that had the company logo.<ref name="rarebelts"/> The championship would drop the "undisputed" moniker in September 2002, becoming the WWE Championship again when it became exclusive to SmackDown, while the Big Gold Belt was resurrected to represent the World Heavyweight Championship for Raw.<ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory"/><ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory2"/>
=== 2005–2014 ===
[[File:WWE Champion CM Punk.jpg|thumb|left|[[CM Punk]] wearing the "Spinner Belt" (2005–2013) version of the WWE Championship]]
After John Cena won the WWE Championship in April 2005, he introduced his own custom belt, the "Spinner Belt", which had a gold and diamond [[bling-bling]] style reflecting his [[hip hop]] character at the time. Although originally a custom belt for Cena, it became the WWE Championship's primary design from April 12, 2005, until February 18, 2013. The scratch WWE logo, placed between an eagle on top and the word "Champ" and a name plate below, could be spun like [[Spinner (wheel)|spinner wheels]] or a [[turntable]] in keeping with the hip-hop theme. The WWE logo was encrusted with diamonds while other parts of the championship were emblazoned with various other jewels. The inner side plates read "WWE Champion", though before 2008, one side plate indicated the brand the title was designated to. The spinning function was phased out in later years and the logo set in a fixed place, most notably during [[The Miz]]'s first reign (2010–2011) when the logo was turned upside down to look like an "M".<ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory2"/>
[[File:Randy Orton November 2013.jpg|thumb|[[Randy Orton]] with the "Big Logo" (2013–2014) version of the WWE Championship; Orton is a ten-time WWE Champion, holding the second-most reigns with the title.]]
On the February 18, 2013, episode of ''Raw'', The Rock unveiled a new WWE Championship belt, often dubbed the "Big Logo Belt".<ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory"/> The new title was partially designed by [[Orange County Choppers]] of ''[[American Chopper]]'' fame, as well as well-known belt maker Dave Millican.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/the-making-of-the-new-wwe-title|title=The making of the new WWE Title: How the WWE Championship was reinvented in 540 days|date=February 13, 2013|last=Murphy|first=Ryan|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=May 13, 2023}}</ref> The championship included a large cut-out of the scratch WWE logo (encrusted with diamonds) inside a large irregular heptagonal plate, with the border of the plate featuring diamonds and other gems. The backing behind the logo was the black leather strap itself with a nugget texture. The word "Champion" appeared in a large gold banner underneath the logo. Gold divider bars separated the center plate from its two large side plates. The side plates featured a removable center section that could be customized with the champion's logo in lieu of a nameplate; the default side plates consisted of a red globe with the WWE logo on the globe underneath a crown.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/274043/|title=Check Out – a Full Look at the New WWE Heavyweight Title|work=[[411Mania]]}}</ref><ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory2"/>
After Randy Orton unified the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship, with the latter being retired, the "Big Logo Belt" was used in tandem with the "Big Gold Belt" to represent the renamed WWE World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/the-esteemed-history-of-wwe-champions-photos|title=WWE Champions|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=May 10, 2014}}</ref><ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory"/>
=== 2014–present ===
[[File:Seth Rollins April 2015.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Seth Rollins]] with the "Network Logo" belt (2014–2023); he was the first person to cash in the [[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank Contract]] at [[WrestleMania]], resulting in his first WWE Championship victory.]]
On the August 18, 2014, episode of ''Raw'', reigning champion [[Brock Lesnar]], who had won the title the night before at [[SummerSlam (2014)|SummerSlam]], was presented with a single championship belt, retiring the Big Gold Belt in the process. This new standard belt, often dubbed the "Network Logo" belt, had a slightly updated design from the belt introduced by The Rock in 2013 as a result of WWE changing their corporate logo to the one originally used for the [[WWE Network]], which had launched earlier that year in February. It included a large center plate dominated by a cut out of the current WWE logo (encrusted with diamonds) inside an irregular heptagon with the capital words "World Heavyweight Champion" along the bottom edges, in very small print. The backing behind the logo was again the black leather strap with nugget texture. The belt retained the gold divider bars introduced in the previous design. The large side plates, like the previous design, included removable round center sections, allowing the holder's personal logo to be added to the championship belt; the default plates showed gold and red world maps with the WWE logo over them but without the crown from the previous design.<ref name="2014Belt">{{cite web|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/08/wwe-championship-belt-brock-lesnar|title=Brock Lesnar receives the new WWE title belt on 'Monday Night Raw'|date=August 19, 2014 |publisher=[[USA Today]]|access-date=August 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory"/><ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory2"/> Over the subsequent years, customizable side plates would be integrated onto WWE's other championship belts, with all of their championships utilizing them by 2024.
The "Network Logo" design would become a blueprint for WWE's men's and women's world championships, with the only differences being the name at the bottom of the center plate and the colors, as well as the women's being smaller. First was the [[WWE Women's Championship]] in April 2016,<ref name="2016 Champ">{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/32/article/wwe-womens-championship-revealed|title=All-new WWE Women's Championship introduced at WrestleMania|date=April 3, 2016|quote=Lita introduced the all-new WWE Women's Championship at WrestleMania, and revealed that Charlotte, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch will compete for this title tonight.|access-date=April 3, 2016|work=[[WWE]]}}</ref> which became the Raw Women's Championship later that year, although it reverted to its original name in June 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flanagan |first=Neal |date=June 9, 2023|title=New WWE Women's Championship belt presented to Asuka |url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/06/09/new-wwe-womens-championship-belt-presented-to-asuka/ |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=POST Wrestling}}</ref> After the WWE World Heavyweight Championship became exclusive to SmackDown as a result of the 2016 brand split, the design would also be used for the WWE Universal Championship that was introduced for the Raw brand.<ref name="Raw07252016">{{cite web|last=Tedesco|first=Mike|title=WWE Raw Results – 7/25/16 (Live from Pittsburgh, fallout from Battleground, new era of Raw begins)|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/64911-wwe-raw-results-72516-live-pittsburgh-fallout-battleground-new-era-raw-begins/|work=Wrestleview|date=July 25, 2016|access-date=July 25, 2016}}</ref> The design was also used for the [[SmackDown Women's Championship]] introduced in August<ref>{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Adam|title=Daniel Bryan to reveal two new championships exclusive to Smackdown Live tonight from Connecticut|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/66258-daniel-bryan-reveal-two-new-championships-exclusive-smackdown-live-tonight-connecticut/|work=WrestleView|date=August 23, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016}}</ref> until that title received a new design in June 2023 when it was renamed Women's World Championship.<ref name="WWC-belt">{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/rhea-ripley-crowned-women-s-world-champion-given-new-title-belt-612-wwe-raw|title=Rhea Ripley Crowned Women's World Champion, Given New Title Belt On 6/12 WWE Raw|date=June 12, 2023|last=Defelice|first=Robert|work=Fightful|access-date=June 12, 2023}}</ref> The [[NXT United Kingdom Championship]] and [[NXT UK Women's Championship]] belts also used the same base outline but with a different design on the center plate itself.<ref name="UKtitleF4w">{{cite web|title=WWE to crown first United Kingdom Champion in January|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-crown-first-united-kingdom-champion-january-226546|last=Currier|first=Joseph|date=December 15, 2016|access-date=December 15, 2016|work=[[Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online]]}}</ref><ref name="POST">{{cite web|last1=Pollock|first1=John|title=WWE announces NXT UK brand with two additional championships to be introduced|url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2018/06/18/wwe-announces-nxt-uk-brand-with-two-additional-championships-to-be-introduced/|access-date=August 26, 2018|date=June 18, 2018}}</ref> After the introduction of the Universal Championship, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship subsequently reverted to being called the WWE Championship, although from July to December 2016, it was called the "WWE World Championship".<ref>{{cite AV media |date=June 20, 2016|title=[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]|medium=Television production|language=en|___location=[[Phoenix, Arizona]]|publisher=[[USA Network]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=December 6, 2016|title=[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown Live]]|medium=Television production|language=en|___location=[[Houston|Houston, Texas]]|publisher=[[USA Network]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=July 26, 2016|title=[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown Live]]|medium=Television production|language=en|___location=[[Buffalo, New York]]|publisher=[[USA Network]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=July 24, 2016|title=[[Battleground (2016)|Battleground]]|medium=Pay-per-view|language=en|___location=[[Washington, D.C.]]|publisher=[[WWE Network]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=August 21, 2016|title=[[SummerSlam (2016)|SummerSlam]]|medium=Pay-per-view|language=en|___location=[[Brooklyn|Brooklyn, New York]]|publisher=[[WWE Network]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=December 20, 2016|title=[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown Live]]|medium=Television production|language=en|___location=[[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]]|publisher=[[USA Network]]}}</ref> The physical belt, however, retained the text "World Heavyweight Champion", and during AJ Styles's first reign in late 2017, a rare version of the belt featuring a black swoosh behind the WWE logo briefly appeared on an episode of ''SmackDown'', but reverted to the standard red swoosh in subsequent appearances.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=James |date=December 15, 2017 |title=Is the WWE Championship Changing Again? |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/is-the-wwe-championship-changing-again |access-date=April 29, 2025 |website=Sportskeeda |language=en-us}}</ref>
[[File:Cody Rhodes, Wrestlemania XL in 2024 6 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|175px|[[Cody Rhodes]] holding the current Undisputed WWE Championship belt (2023–present); he was the first to hold this version after the [[WWE Universal Championship]] was retired, making the belt exclusively represent the WWE Championship.]]
After Roman Reigns became the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022, both the standard versions of the WWE Championship and Universal Championship belts were used in tandem to represent the undisputed title, although both titles retained their individual lineages. On the June 2, 2023, episode of ''SmackDown'', in celebration of Reigns reaching 1,000 days as Universal Champion, he was presented with a new single title belt to represent the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. It features the same "Network Logo" design on a black strap, but the WWE logo is encrusted with black diamonds, it has a gold nugget-textured background behind the logo which was made as part of the metal plate instead of colored leather, and the text at the bottom of the plate says "Undisputed Champion"; the side plates remained the same.<ref name="UWU-belt"/> Despite this, his manager [[Paul Heyman]] had continued to carry around the previous WWE and Universal Championship belts until the end of July.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/07/29/wwe-smackdown-tv-results-7-28-mcdonalds-alt-perspective-report-on-roman-reigns-and-jey-uso-face-to-face-mysterio-vs-escobar-u-s-title-invitational-final-anderson-vs-kross/|title=WWE SmackDown TV Results (7/28): McDonald's "alt perspective" report on Roman Reigns and Jey Uso face to face, Mysterio vs. Escobar U.S. Title Invitational Final, Anderson vs. Kross|date=July 29, 2023|last=McDonald|first=Alex|work=[[PWTorch]]|access-date=September 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730044327/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/07/29/wwe-smackdown-tv-results-7-28-mcdonalds-alt-perspective-report-on-roman-reigns-and-jey-uso-face-to-face-mysterio-vs-escobar-u-s-title-invitational-final-anderson-vs-kross/|archive-date=July 30, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> On WWE's website, pictures of the previous title belts were still used for the individual title histories of each championship until April 2024 when the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship (truncated to Undisputed WWE Championship in April 2024) belt replaced the image for the WWE Championship; the Universal Championship title history remained a picture of the previous blue belt. The Undisputed belt design would continue to be used to represent the WWE Championship after the Universal Championship was officially retired in April 2024.
=== Customization ===
[[File:WWE - Sheffield 020499 (49) b.jpg|thumb|right|175px|[[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] pictured with [["Stone Cold" Steve Austin]]'s custom "Smoking Skull" belt after he had stolen it from Austin in [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#S|storyline]] in 1999]]
Custom championship belts have been created to honor certain reigning champions or match their [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|characters]]. During Hogan's reign in 1986, he had a modified version of the Hogan '86 made, which included a picture of himself at the center. Not much is known about this "mystery belt" as he quickly reverted to the original Hogan '86 version. A much larger version similar to the Hogan '86 championship belt was created for [[André the Giant]] before [[WrestleMania III]], although he never wore it as champion.<ref>"7 Championship Secrets Finally Revealed". (July 2009). WWE Magazine, p. 37.</ref><ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory"/>
[[File:Edge R.jpg|thumb|upright=1|175px|Four-time champion [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]], pictured with his custom "Rated R Spinner" belt that he used during his second reign in 2006]]
A custom championship belt was used by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin during his second reign (1998), which included his "Smoking Skull" logo as well as rattle snakes. As an answer, The Rock also had a custom championship belt designed and constructed, including his trademark "Brahma Bull" logo, but due to creative reasons, it never appeared on television.<ref name="rarebelts">{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Ryan|title=Seven Rare Championships from the WWE Vault|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/from-the-vault-championships/page-4|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=September 13, 2012}}</ref> The Spinner Belt, originally a customized belt for John Cena, remained the standard title belt from 2005 to 2013. During [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]]'s second reign in 2006, he introduced his own variation, the "Rated R Spinner" design, replacing the WWE scratch logo with his "Rated R Superstar" logo. Edge had sketched a completely new custom design, but due to creative differences, it did not get made.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.ign.com/articles/730/730263p2.html|title=Edge Interview|access-date=November 18, 2006|first=Jon|last=Robinson|date=September 2006 |page=2}}</ref><ref name="WWEtitledesignhistory"/> Edge, who was not a fan of his spinner version and wanted a custom design that meant something, later said that WWE probably decided to go with the Rated R Spinner version in order to sell more merchandise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwJf5MD-t3Y|title=Edge HATED The Rated R Spinner Belt|date=May 10, 2024|last=Vliet|first=Chris Van|author-link=Chris Van Vliet|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=May 13, 2024}}</ref> During Daniel Bryan's fourth reign (2018–2019) as part of his environmentalist heel gimmick, he threw the standard title belt in a garbage can (bemoaning the fact it was made from leather) and introduced a new custom belt, dubbed the "Planet's Championship", featuring the same design as the "Network Logo" belt, but made from "entirely sustainable materials" (such as the strap being made from [[hemp]] and the center and side plates carved from wood of a naturally fallen [[oak tree]]; the side plates also had his name instead of the WWE logo).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/gallery/daniel-bryan-eco-friendly-wwe-championship-photos#fid-40319861|title=Daniel Bryan's eco-friendly WWE Championship: photos|work=WWE.com|access-date=January 30, 2019|quote=Bryan's title is made from 100 percent sustainable organic hemp and carved from a naturally fallen oak.}}</ref>
===In other sports===
In October 2014, WWE presented the [[San Francisco Giants]] a replica of the "Network Logo" belt for winning the [[2014 World Series]].<ref>{{cite web|title=San Francisco Giants celebrate with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship|url=https://www.wwe.com/videos/san-francisco-giants-celebrate-with-the-wwe-world-heavyweight-championship|website=www.wwe.com|access-date=May 31, 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Daniel Bryan joins the San Francisco Giants World Series Parade: photos|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/daniel-bryan-joins-the-san-francisco-giants-world-series-parade-photos#fid-26923818|website=www.wwe.com|access-date=May 31, 2017|language=en}}</ref> This began a tradition for WWE, and they have since created custom WWE Championship belts for winners in professional sports, with the side plates commemorating the achievement. They have also presented a custom belt to exceptionally notable people for their efforts in their profession.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/gallery/custom-wwe-world-championships-in-the-sports-world-photos?sf54962304=1#fid-40396764|title=Custom WWE World Championships in the sports world: photos|work=[[WWE]].com|access-date=November 29, 2019}}</ref> WWE had originally presented custom WWE Championships to winners in both male and female sports, but in 2018, they began presenting those in female sports with custom Women's Championship belts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/triple-h-sends-custom-wwe-title-wnba-champions-seattle-storm|title=Triple H sends custom title to WNBA Champions Seattle Storm|last=Pappolla|first=Ryan|work=[[WWE]]|date=September 26, 2018|access-date=September 26, 2018}}</ref>
Since that original gift in 2014, WWE has presented custom WWE Championship belts to winners of the [[World Series]],<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=661220471602438146|date=November 2, 2015|title=Congrats to the 2015 MLB World Series Champions the Kansas City Royals!}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=794184995288055808|date=November 3, 2016|title=Congrats to the Chicago Cubs on a long-awaited (and well-deserved) World Series win. We got you something for the celebration... Enjoy It}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=926109679213842432|date=November 2, 2017|title=Congrats to the Astros on an amazing World Series win. WWE looks forward to celebrating with Houston at Survivor Series. Bring this along!}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/triple-h-sends-custom-wwe-championship-to-the-2018-world-series-champion-boston-red-sox|title=Triple H sends custom WWE Championship to the 2018 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox|date=October 30, 2018|last=Laboon|first=Jeff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=November 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=1189921486909444097|date=October 31, 2019|title=A back-and-forth World Series that crowned new MLB Champions for their very first time. Congratulations to the Washington Nationals on your historic win. Time to bring the celebration to DC!}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=WWE|author=[[WWE]]|number=1455917584814071809|date=November 3, 2021|title=Congratulations to @solerpower12, @austinriley1308 & the entire @Braves organization on an incredible #WorldSeries victory. Enjoy this custom #WWETitle for the celebration! #BattleATL|access-date=November 3, 2021}}</ref> [[Super Bowl]],<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=562683249865273348|date=February 3, 2015|title=WWE Title on its way to Gillette Stadium for Patriots parade! Congrats Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Super Bowl Champs}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=696536804980228097|date=February 7, 2016|title=Congratulations to the Denver Broncos on winning Super Bowl 50! We have something coming your way shortly... Champs Are Here}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=828635145573855232|date=February 6, 2017|title=A never-say-quit team, a football dynasty, and an amazing Super Bowl 51. Congrats Patriots, this title is coming to New England!!}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=960562920441737226|date=February 5, 2018|title=To quote Zach Ertz, you're "the World Champions" .... so you need a World Title! Congratulations Eagles!}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/triple-h-congratulates-new-england-patriots-super-bowl-53-victory-with-custom-wwe|title=Triple H congratulates New England Patriots' Super Bowl LIII victory with custom WWE Championship|date=February 4, 2019|last=Laboon|first=Jeff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=November 28, 2019}}</ref> [[NBA Finals]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/golden-state-warriors-celebrate-2015-nba-championship-wwe-world-heavyweight-title|title=Golden State Warriors celebrate 2015 NBA Championship with WWE World Heavyweight Title|last=Laboon|first=Jeff|work=[[WWE]]|date=June 17, 2015|access-date=June 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=744923513551622144|date=June 20, 2016|title=An unprecedented comeback and a long overdue NBA Championship... THAT is something to celebrate. Congrats Cavs!}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=874666649667895303|date=June 13, 2017|title=The NBA Championship is back in the Bay...and Kevin Durant is going to have his hands full with all this gold. Congratulations Warriors!}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/golden-state-warriors-celebrate-2018-nba-championship-with-custom-wwe-title|title=Golden State Warriors celebrate 2018 NBA Championship with custom WWE Title|work=[[WWE]]|date=June 9, 2018|last=Laboon|first=Jeff|access-date=June 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=1139571655301316608|date=June 14, 2019|title=Congrats to Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard and the entire Raptors organization on bringing their first NBA title to Toronto! Can't wait to celebrate with all of you at SummerSlam, August 11 Scotiabank Arena. Until then, enjoy this WWE Championship!}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2913104-triple-h-sends-wwe-championship-belt-to-lebron-james-lakers-after-finals-win|title=Triple H Sends WWE Championship Belt to LeBron James, Lakers After Finals Win|first=Tim|last=Conway|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|date=October 12, 2020|access-date=October 12, 2020}}</ref> [[FIFA Women's World Cup]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Megan Rapinoe celebrates with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/megan-rapinoe-womens-soccer-wwe-world-heavyweight-championship|date=July 10, 2015|author=WWE.com Staff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=May 31, 2017|language=en}}</ref> [[College Football Playoff National Championship]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Powers|first=Kevin|title=Sheamus delivers WWE World Heavyweight Championship to Notre Dame Football|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/sheamus-notre-dame-football-wake-forest|date=November 13, 2015|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=May 31, 2017|language=en}}</ref> [[Stanley Cup Finals]],<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=742386924539678720|date=June 13, 2016|title=Congratulations to the Stanley Cup Champion Penguins! Can never go wrong w/ an HBK Line! Title Coming Your Way}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=874303379366977541|date=June 12, 2017|title=Back-to-back NHL Champions...gonna need a bigger trophy case in Pittsburgh. Congratulations to the Penguins!}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/washington-capitals-celebrate-2018-stanley-cup-with-custom-wwe-championship|title=Washington Capitals celebrate 2018 Stanley Cup with custom WWE Championship|date=June 8, 2018|last=Laboon|first=Jeff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=June 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/st-louis-blues-celebrate-2019-stanley-cup-with-custom-wwe-championship|title=St. Louis Blues celebrate 2019 Stanley Cup with custom WWE Championship|date=June 13, 2019|last=Laboon|first=Jeff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=November 28, 2019}}</ref> [[Australian Open]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/triple-h-presents-serena-williams-custom-wwe-championship|title=Triple H tweets out a WWE Championship with custom plates for Serena Williams|date=January 28, 2017|author=WWE.com Staff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=November 28, 2019}}</ref> [[Premier League]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Laboon|first=Jeff|title=WWE sends custom title to Premier League Champions|url=https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/article/wwe-and-triple-h-send-custom-championship-to-chelsea-fc|date=May 20, 2017|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=May 31, 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/article/triple-h-custom-wwe-championship-premier-league-champions-manchester-city|title=Triple H sends custom WWE Title to Premier League Champions Manchester City|date=May 6, 2018|author=WWE.com Staff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=May 10, 2018}}</ref> [[Bundesliga]],<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=Triple H|number=872073564282814464|date=June 6, 2017|title=From WWE to FC Bayern München: Five years at Bundesliga... ....ONE Champion! This is headed your way David Alaba & Franck Ribéry}}</ref> [[Indian Premier League]],<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=Triple H|number=885356282739294210|date=July 13, 2017|title=Mumbai Indians and Rohit Sharma, as promised, the WWE Title is on its way... Congratulations!}}</ref> [[Liga MX]],<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=Triple H|number=889487581179777024|date=July 24, 2017|title=Felicidades a las Chivas por la #12 Here is something to help with the Championship celebration...}}</ref> [[Argentine Primera División]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/article/triple-h-boca-juniors-custom-wwe-championship|title=Triple H sends custom WWE Title to Argentinian Primera División League champions Boca Juniors|date=June 25, 2017|last=De La Pena|first=Arturo|work=[[WWE]].com|access-date=June 26, 2017}}</ref> [[Major League Baseball Home Run Derby]],<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Yankees|author=New York Yankees|number=897560973766275073|date=August 15, 2017|title=Champions deserve championship belts. WWE stars stopped by to award Aaron his belt for the HR Derby.}}</ref> [[Formula One World Championship]],<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=Triple H|number=934082011207217152|date=November 24, 2017|title=From us at WWE to F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton, finish the season strong at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix...hope to see you when WWE comes to Abu Dhabi on December 7 & 8.}}</ref> [[UEFA Champions League]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/article/real-madrid-custom-wwe-championship-triple-h|title=Triple H sends custom WWE Title to Champions League winners Real Madrid|date=July 30, 2018|author=WWE.com Staff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=August 20, 2018}}</ref> [[Overwatch League]],<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=1040216037759897602|date=September 13, 2018|title=After an exceptional resurgence, history was captured at the Overwatch League's First Finals. Congrats London Spitfire and Cloud9! Jack Etienne, this custom title is coming to you!}}</ref> [[Cricket World Cup]],<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=1152171223226281984|date=July 19, 2019|title=An incredible tournament, an awe-inspiring final, and a team of worthy champions. Congratulations to England Cricket for winning the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019! This custom WWE Championship is YOURS!}}</ref> [[US Open (tennis)|Men's US Open]],<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=1171151356889063426|date=September 9, 2019|title=An incredible end to 4 HOURS and 50 MINUTES in the finals of the US Open. Congratulations to Rafael Nadal…this custom WWE Championship should help celebrate your 19th Grand Slam Title!}}</ref> and [[Canadian Football League]] [[Grey Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Triple H Sends Custom Title to CFL Grey Cup Champions the Winnipeg Blue Bombers|url=https://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/triple-h-sends-custom-title-to-cfl-grey-cup-champions-the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-011720|date=January 18, 2020|work=[[Fox Sports (United States)|Fox Sports]]}}</ref> WWE also presented a title to [[City of London Police|London police officer]] Charlie Guenigault for his "exceptional bravery" during the [[2017 London Bridge attack]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/article/triple-h-visits-police-officer-wounded-london-bridge-attack|title=Triple H visits London police officer wounded in London Bridge attack|date=June 20, 2017|author=WWE.com Staff|work=[[WWE]].com|access-date=June 26, 2017}}</ref> and to the U.S. servicemen and women who have helped in hosting [[WWE Tribute to the Troops]] (2015–2023) as well as for their continued service to the country.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=674402311381233664|date=December 8, 2015|title=Honored to present a Troops WWE World Heavyweight Championship to Captains Stacey K. Wright and Scott Gray at US Navy}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=808835276768473088|date=December 13, 2016|title=This Championship is in recognition of all you do for our country. Thank you Cmd. Sgt Troxell, Elaine Rogers & Maj. Gen. Becker}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=938212989169106944|date=December 5, 2017|title=Thank you to Captain Roy Love, Commanding Officer of US Navy Base San Diego and his staff for hosting Tribute to the Troops and helping WWE honor our armed forces today and always.}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TripleH|author=[[Triple H]]|number=1070106315496648704|date=December 4, 2018|title=Thank You to Major General Felix Gedney, Colonel Henry Perry, and all the servicemen and women at Ft. Hood for allowing us to host Tribute to the Troops this morning and for your continued service to our country.}}</ref> In 2020, WWE Championship belts were also presented to Christophe Agius and Philippe Chéreau, WWE announcers in France for 20 consecutive years presenting WWE on French television.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mattias|title=20 ans de Christophe Agius et Philippe Chéreau : la WWE leur offre une ceinture personnalisée|url=https://catch-newz.com/newz/dernieres-newz/19537-20-ans-de-christophe-agius-et-philippe-chereau-la-wwe-leur-offre-une-ceinture-personnalisee|access-date=June 11, 2020|website=catch-newz.com|date=February 19, 2020 |language=fr-fr}}</ref> With the introduction of the Undisputed WWE Championship belt in June 2023, WWE have since presented custom versions of it.<ref>{{cite tweet|author=[[Triple H]]|user=TripleH|number=1757565541563179077|title=It's that time of year when the @Chiefs break out the hardware… big congrats to the back-to-back champs!|date=February 13, 2024|access-date=February 15, 2024}}</ref>
== Reigns ==
{{main|List of WWE Champions}}
[[File:Cody_Rhodes,_April_2024_(cropped).jpg|thumb|150px|Two-time and current champion [[Cody Rhodes]]]]
The WWE Championship was the first world championship introduced into the promotion in 1963. The inaugural champion was Buddy Rogers, and there have been 55 different official champions overall and 11 vacancies.<ref name="WWE Title">{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/|title=WWE Championship|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=March 9, 2017}}</ref> The longest reigning champion is [[Bruno Sammartino]], who held the title from May 17, 1963, to January 18, 1971, for a total of 2,803 days (7 years, 8 months, and 1 day); Sammartino also holds the record for longest combined reign at 4,040 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/bruno-sammartino|title=Bruno Sammartino|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=November 9, 2014}}</ref> André the Giant is the shortest reigning champion, officially holding the title for 1 minute, 48 seconds due to selling the title to Ted DiBiase following his title win.<ref name=Andre/> The youngest champion is Brock Lesnar, who won the title for the first time at the age of 25 years, 44 days during [[SummerSlam (2002)|SummerSlam]] in August 2002, while the oldest champion is one-time holder [[Vince McMahon|Mr. McMahon]], who won the title at the age of 54 years, 21 days during the September 16, 1999, episode of ''SmackDown''. John Cena holds the record for most reigns with 14 which occurred between 2005 and 2025.<ref name="WWE Title"/>
Cody Rhodes is the current champion in his second reign. He won the Undisputed WWE Championship by defeating John Cena in a [[Street Fight match|Street Fight]] on Night 2 of [[SummerSlam (2025)|SummerSlam]] on August 3, 2025, in [[East Rutherford, New Jersey]].<ref name="SSlam2025N2">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE SummerSlam results: Powell's live review of night two with John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight for the WWE Championship, Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky for the Women's World Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/08/03/wwe-summerslam-results-powells-live-review-of-night-two-with-john-cena-vs-cody-rhodes-in-a-street-fight-for-the-wwe-championship-naomi-vs-rhea-ripley-vs-iyo-sky-for-the-womens-world-cham/|date=August 3, 2025|work=[[Pro Wrestling Dot Net]]|access-date=August 3, 2025}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[
==
{{notelist}}
==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwe-championship Official WWE Championship Title History]
* [http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwe-h.html Wrestling-Titles.com: WWE Championship]
* [https://www.cultofwhatever.com/2007/09/wwe-title-belts-a-guide-to-the-gold/ WWE Title Belts: A Guide to the Gold]{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [[Wikimedia Commons]] contain images and other files on [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:WWE_championships?uselang=en WWE Championship]
{{WWE Championships}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wwe Championship}}
[[Category:World heavyweight wrestling championships]]
[[Category:WWE championships]]
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