WWE Celebrates 60 Years Of The WWE Championship
World Wrestling Entertainment has announced plans to celebrate as this week marks the 60th anniversary of the legendary WWE Championship.
Introduced in 1963 as the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship, it was first held by Buddy Rogers.
Several changes to the Championship’s name occurred, until 1989 when it became known as the WWF Championship.
After WWE was ordered to change its name after losing in a battle with the World Wildlife Fund in 2002, the Championship faced additional name changes and was even unified with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship after Triple H beat Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 18. It became known as the Undisputed WWE Championship at that point.
Current Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns has the record for most days holding the Universal Championship at over 965 days. However, this Championship was only added by WWE in 2016.
Reigns is still behind Pedro Morales, Hulk Hogan, and Bruno Sammartino who is the longest reigning WWE Champion in history with 2,803 for his longest reign, followed by 1,237 days for his second run as the company’s biggest star.
John Cena has had the WWE Championship a record 13-Times, and is tied with The Nature Boy Ric Flair for most World Championship wins with 16. By counting Cena’s three World Heavyweight Title reigns, he is tied at 16 with Flair.
Triple H has now retired but ended his career on 14 wins, tied with Randy Orton, the pair just two behind their former Evolution teammate.
On their website, WWE has shared details on how they are planning the pinnacle of sports entertainment and its legacy, highlighting “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers and creating a WWE Championship Week:
This week marks the 60-year anniversary of sports-entertainment’s most prestigious title, the WWE Championship.
Now in the possession of Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, the WWE Title was first won by “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers on April 25, 1963.
In the decades following Rogers’ seminal feat, as WWE grew from a regional operation to the global phenomenon that it is today, the WWE Championship remained a constant. It has stood alone as the ultimate prize to all Superstars, a coveted distinction reserved for only the best of the best, with luminaries such as John Cena, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Bruno Sammartino counted among its titleholders.
In recognition of the title’s 60-year milestone, today WWE is kicking off WWE Championship Week, a weeklong celebration on social media.
Stay tuned to WWE’s social channels all week long to relive or discover for the first time the epic clashes, unforgettable moments and larger-than-life champions that have made the WWE Title an enduring force for more than half a century. From special editions of WWE Top 10 and WWE Playlist, to original video features and never-before-seen photos, WWE Championship Week is not to be missed!
The company has plans across social media to interact with the WWE Universe over their favourite memories across the 60-year history of the company’s main Championship.
They have also released a video highlighting some of the many designs, including The Rock and John Cena being presented with new versions.