A Comprehensive Guide to the WWF/E Linear Championship
Nov 12, 2017 23:41:54 GMT -5
Mister Pigwell, KofiMania, and 8 more like this
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2017 23:41:54 GMT -5
I recently had a renewed interest in the idea of the Linear title and similar things, so I decided to compile the data for the linear championship.
For those unaware, a Linear Championship is the idea that the title holder should have to defend their title every time they compete. If this were to be true and we followed it in a straight line (thus Linear), who would be champion?
I started my tracking from the years the WWWF was taken over by Vince Jr. and then changed to the WWF (this took place between 79-80 during which time Bob Backlund reigned as champion). I had noticed a few inconsistencies in others who tracked the title so this is my take on it. I have also included linear histories of several other major WWF and WCW titles. Amusingly, you will find that they all eventually join their lineages together to form up with the WWF lineage at some point or another.
A Linear History of the WWF/E Title
Rules:
1. The Champion will defend his title in every 1 vs. 1 encounter.
2. The Champion cannot lose his title in multi-man matches, even if these are for the actual belt.
3. The Champion can lose his title in any company so long as he is still linear champion at that time.
4. The Champion will forfeit the title if he is inactive for 1 year or participates in no 1 vs. 1 encounters in that time.
5. The Champion can only lose his title via pinfall, submission, ref stoppage or match gimmick (such as a ladder match or cage match).
6. The Champion will not lose his title by DQ or Countout.
7. The Championship is not defended in things like Bodyslam challenges, arm wrestling contests, or the "break the submission" challenges. (This actually mattered for Mankind vs. Vince McMahon in an arm wrestling match)
Bob Backlund (Inaugural Champion after WWWF Converted to the WWF)
Pat Patterson (Defeated Backlund Jul. 2nd 1979 at WWF MSG Show #1)
Bob Backlund (Defeated Patterson Sep. 24th 1979 at WWF MSG Show in a Cage match - This match unifies the Linear WWF Title with the Linear IC Title)
Antonio Inoki (Defeated Backlund Nov. 30th 1979 at NJPW Tokushima Show)
Big Van Vader (Defeated Antonio Inoki Dec. 27th 1987 at NJPW Inoki Youan Live III)
Riki Choshu (Defeated Vader Aug. 19th 1990 at the NJPW Sumo Hall Show)
Tatsumi Fukinami (Defeated Choshu Dec. 26th 1990 at NJPW Legends Show)
Big Van Vader (Defeated Tatsumi Jan. 17th 1991 at NJPW New Year Dash)
Tatsumi Fukinami (Defeated Vader Aug. 7th 1991 at NJPW G1 Climax Day 1)
Keiji Mutoh (Defeated Tatsumi Aug. 8th 1991 at NJPW G1 Climax Day 2) (Almost forfeited the title with just 4 days to go)
Masahiro Chono (Defeated Mutoh Aug. 10th 1992 at NJPW G1 Climax Day 3)
Keiji Mutoh- now The Great Muta (Defeated Chono Jan. 4th 1993 at WCW/NJPW Fantastic Story Supershow III)
Barry Windham (defeated The Great Muta Feb. 21st 1993 at WCW Superbrawl III)
Ric Flair (Defeated Windham July 18th 1993 at WCW Beach Blast)
Rick Rude (Defeated Flair Sep. 19th 1993 at WCW Fall Brawl)
Sting (Defeated Rude Apr. 17th 1994 at WCW Spring Stampede)
Rick Rude (Defeated Sting May 4th 1994 at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku)
Diesel (Rick Rude retired without defending the linear title, reverting to current WWF Champion Diesel May 4th 1995 and thus merging the WWF Linear history with the WCW Linear history as Diesel is reigning WCW linear champion at this time)
Bret Hart (Defeated Diesel Nov. 19th 1995 at Survivor Series in a No DQ Match)
Shawn Michaels (Defeated Hart Mar. 31st 1996 at Wrestlamania XII in a 60-Minutes Iron Man Match)
Sycho Sid (Defeated Michaels Nov. 17th 1996 at Survivor Series)
Shawn Michaels (Defeated Sid Jan. 19th 1997 at the Royal Rumble)
Hunter Hearst Helmsley (Defeated Michaels Dec. 11th 1997 at a Raw taping)
Steve Austin (Defeated Helmsley Mar. 22nd 1998 at WWF MSG Show)
Kane (Defeated Austin Jun. 28th 1998 at King of the Ring in a First Blood Match)
Steve Austin (Defeated Kane Jun 29th 1998 at Monday Night Raw)
Mankind (Defeated Austin Nov. 15th 1998 at Survivor Series)
The Rock (Defeated Mankind Nov. 15th 1998 at Survivor Series)
Mankind (Defeated Rock Dec. 13th 1998 at Rock Bottom)
Road Dogg (Defeated Mankind Dec. 29th 1998 at Monday Night Raw in a Hardcore Match)
Big Boss Man (Defeated Road Dogg Jan. 24th 1999 at the Royal Rumble)
The Undertaker (Defeated Boss Man Mar. 28th 1999 at Wrestlemania XV in Hell in a Cell)
Steve Austin (Defeated Undertaker Jun. 28th 1999 at Monday Night Raw)
Triple H (Defeated Austin Oct. 17th 1999 at No Mercy in an Anything Goes Match)
Test (Defeated Triple H Nov. 29th 1999 at Monday Night Raw)
X-Pac (Defeated Test Dec. 4th 1999 at MSG Show)
Kane (Defeated X-Pac Dec. 12th 1999 at Armageddon in a Cage Match)
The Rock (Defeated Kane Dec. 28th 1999 at a Smackdown! taping in a No Holds Barred Match)
Chris Benoit (Defeated Rock Feb. 14th 2000 at Monday Night Raw)
The Rock (Defeated Benoit Mar. 6th 2000 at Monday Night Raw in a Cage Match)
Chris Jericho (Apr. 18th 2000 at a Smackdown! Taping in Lumberjack Match)
Eddie Guerrero (Defeated Jericho May 6th 2000 at Insurrextion)
Val Venis (Defeated Guerrero Jun. 25th 2000 at King of the Ring)
Rikishi (Defeated Val Jun. 25th 2000 at King of the Ring)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Rikishi Jun. 25th 2000 at King of the Ring Finals)
Kane (Defeated Angle Jul. 11th 2000 at a Smackdown! Taping)
The Rock (Defeated Kane Aug. 28th 2000 at Monday Night Raw)
The Undertaker (Defeated Rock Sep. 18th 2000 at Monday Night Raw)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Undertaker Nov. 20th 2000 at Survivor Series)
The Rock (Defeated Angle Feb. 25th 2001 at No Way Out)
Steve Austin (Defeated Rock Apr. 1st 2001 at Wrestlemania X-Seven in a No DQ Match)
Rob Van Dam (Defeated Austin Sep. 4th 2001 at Smackdown!)
Kurt Angle (Defeated RVD Sep. 10th 2001 at Monday Night Raw in a Hardcore Match)
Rob Van Dam (Defeated Angle Sep. 10th 2001 at Monday Night Raw in a Hardcore Match)
Chris Jericho (Defeated RVD Sep. 22nd 2001 at WWF Live)
Rob Van Dam (Defeated Jericho Sep. 23rd 2001 at Unforgiven in a Hardcore Match)
The Rock (Defeated RVD Sep. 24th 2001 at Monday Night Raw)
Chris Jericho (Defeated Rock Oct. 21st 2001 at No Mercy)
The Rock (Defeated Jericho Nov. 5th 2001 at Monday Night Raw)
Chris Jericho (Defeated Rock Dec. 9th 2001 at Vengeance)
Triple H (Defeated Jericho Mar. 17th 2002 at Wrestlemania X8)
Hulk Hogan (Defeated Triple H Apr. 21st 2002 at Backlash)
The Undertaker (Defeated Hogan May 19th 2002 at Judgment Day)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Undertaker Jun. 18th 2002 at a Smackdown! taping)
Chris Benoit (Defeated Angle Sep. 22nd 2002 at Unforgiven)
Rey Mysterio (Defeated Benoit Oct. 1st 2002 at a Smackdown! taping)
Eddie Guerrero (Defeated Mysterio Nov. 12th 2002 at a Smackdown! taping)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Guerrero Nov. 19th 2002 at a Smackdown! taping)
Brock Lesnar (Defeated Angle Mar. 30th 2003 at Wrestlemania XIX)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Lesnar Aug 24th 2003 at Summerslam)
Brock Lesnar (Defeated Angle Sep. 16th 2003 at a Smackdown! taping in a 60-minute Iron Man Match)
Eddie Guerrero (Defeated Lesnar Feb. 15th 2004 at No Way Out)
D-Von Dudley (Defeated Guerrero Apr. 20th 2004 at a Smackdown! taping)
Paul London (Defeated D-von Jul 13th 2004 at a Smackdown! taping)
Booker T (Defeated London Sep. 21st 2004 at a Smackdown! taping)
John Cena (Defeated Booker T Oct. 3rd 2004 at No Mercy)
Carlito Caribbean Cool (Defeated Cena Oct. 5th 2004 at a Smackdown! taping)
John Cena (Defeated Carlito Nov. 16th 2004 at a Smackdown! taping)
Orlando Jordan (Defeated Cena Mar. 1st 2005 at a Smackdown! taping)
John Cena (Defeated Jordan Apr. 18th 2005 at a Smackdown! taping)
Carlito Caribbean Cool (Defeated Cena Jul. 25th 2005 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Carlito Aug. 1st 2005 at Monday Night Raw)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Cena Oct. 24th 2005 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Angle Nov. 27th 2005 at Survivor Series w/ Special Ref Daivari)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Cena Jan. 2nd 2006 at Monday Night Raw in a First Blood Match)
Shawn Michaels (Defeated Angle Jan. 16th 2006 at Monday Night Raw)
Shane McMahon (Defeated Michaels Mar. 6th 2006 at Monday Night Raw)
Bobby Lashley (Defeated Shane May 21st 2007 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Lashley Jul. 22nd 2007 at The Great American Bash)
Carlito (Defeated Cena Jul. 30th 2007 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Carlito Aug 13th 2007 at the Saturday Night's Main Event taping)
Randy Orton (Defeated Cena May 12th 2008 at Monday Night Raw)
Triple H (Defeated Orton May 18th 2008 at Judgment Day in a Cage Match)
Jeff Hardy (Defeated Triple H Nov. 11th 2008 at a Smackdown! taping)
Chris Jericho (Defeated Hardy Dec. 8th 2008 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Jericho Dec. 14th 2008 at Armageddon)
Shawn Michaels (Defeated Cena Jan. 12th 2009 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Michaels Jan. 26th 2009 at Monday Night Raw)
The Big Show (Defeated Cena Feb 17th 2009 at a Smackdown! taping)
John Cena (Defeated Show May 17th 2009 at Judgment Day)
The Big Show (Defeated Cena Jun 22nd at Monday Night Raw)
Triple H (Defeated Show Oct. 26th 2009 at Monday Night Raw w/ Special Ref John Cena in a No DQ Lumberjack Match)
Sheamus (Defeated Triple H Apr. 25th 2010 at Extreme Rules in a Streetfight)
John Cena (Defeated Sheamus Jun 19th 2010 at MSG Show)
Sheamus (Defeated Cena Jul. 18th 2010 at Money in the Bank in a Cage Match)
Randy Orton (Defeated Sheamus Sep 20th 2010 in a dark match)
The Miz (Defeated Orton Nov. 22nd 2010 at Monday Night Raw)
Edge (Defeated Miz Jan. 31st 2011 at Monday Night Raw)
CM Punk (Title defaulted to current WWE Champion Punk after Edge retired following his last defense and thus relinquished the title Apr. 3rd 2012)
Daniel Bryan (Defeated Punk May 28th 2012 at Monday Night Raw)
CM Punk (Defeated Bryan Jun 1st 2012 at a WWE Live Event in a No DQ Match)
Kane (Defeated Punk Jun 4th 2012 at Monday Night Raw)
Sheamus (Defeated Kane Jun 9th 2012 at a WWE Live Event in a Cage Match)
CM Punk (Defeated Sheamus Oct. 2nd 2012 at a Main Event taping)
John Cena (Defeated Punk Nov. 12th 2012 at Monday Night Raw)
Dolph Ziggler (Defeated Cena Dec. 16th 2012 at TLC in a Ladder Match)
John Cena (Defeated Ziggley Dec. 26th 2012 at the WWE Live Holidat Tour in a Streetfight)
Daniel Bryan (Defeated Cena Aug. 18th 2013 at Summerslam w/ Special Ref Triple H)
Randy Orton (Defeated Bryan Aug 18th 2013 at Summerslam w/ Special Ref Triple H)
Daniel Bryan (Defeated Orton Sep. 15th 2013 at Night of Champions)
Randy Orton (Defeated Bryan Oct. 27th 2013 at Hell in a Cell w/ Special Ref Shawn Michaels in a Hell in a Cell Match)
Kofi Kingston (Defeated Orton Jan. 13th 2014 at Monday Night Raw)
Alberto Del Rio (Defeated Kingston Jan. 27th 2014 at Monday Night Raw)
Batista (Defeated Del Rio Feb. 16th 2014 at a WWE Live Event)
Alberto Del Rio (Defeated Batista Feb. 24th 2014 at Monday Night Raw)
Sin Cara- former Hunico ver. (Defeated Del Rio Feb. 28th 2014 at a WWE Live Event)
Bad News Barrett (Defeated Sin Cara Mar. 8th 2014 at a WWE Live Event)
Sheamus (Defeated Barrett May 27th 2014 at a Smackdown! taping)
Cesaro (Defeated Sheamus Jun. 10th 2014 at a Smackdown! taping)
Kofi Kingston (Defeated Cesaro Jun. 30th 2014 at Monday Night Raw)
Cesaro (Defeated Kingston Jul. 4th 2014 at a WWE Live Event)
Kofi Kingston (Defeated Cesaro Jul. 7th 2014 at Monday Night Raw)
Cesaro (Defeated Kingston Jul. 11th 2014 at a WWE Live Event)
Rob Van Dam (Defeated Cesaro Jul. 12th 2014 at a WWE Live Event)
Alberto Del Rio (Defeated RVD Jul. 14th 2014 at Monday Night Raw)
Roman Reigns (Defeated Del Rio Jul. 22nd 2014 at a Smackdown! taping)
Seth Rollins (Defeated Reigns Mar. 2nd 2015 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Rollins Mar. 6th 2015 at WWE Live Road to Wrestlemania in a Street Fight)
Kevin Owens (Defeated Cena May 31st 2015 at Elimination Chamber)
John Cena (Defeated Owens Jun 14th at Money in the Bank)
Seth Rollins (Defeated Cena Aug. 23rd 2015 at Summerslam)
Ryback (Defeated Rollins Sep. 7th 2015 at Monday Night Raw)
Seth Rollins (Defeated Ryback Sep. 8th 2015 at a Smackdown! taping in a Lumberjack Match)
John Cena (Defeated Seth Rollins Sep. 20th 2015 at Night of Champions)
Alberto Del Rio (Defeated Cena Oct. 25th 2015 at Hell in a Cell)
Roman Reigns (Defeated Del Rio Nov. 22nd 2015 at Survivor Series)
Sheamus (Defeated Reigns Nov. 22nd 2015 at Survivor Series)
Roman Reigns (Defeated Sheamus Dec. 14th 2015 at Monday Night Raw)
Seth Rollins (Defeated Reigns Jun. 19th 2016 at Money in the Bank)
Dean Ambrose (Defeated Rollins Jun. 19th 2016 at Money in the Bank)
AJ Styles (Defeated Ambrose Sep. 11th 2016 at Backlash)
John Cena (Defeated Styles Oct. 4th 2016 in a dark match)
AJ Styles (Defeated Cena Jan. 24th 2017 in a dark match)
John Cena (Defeated Styles Jan. 29th 2017 at the Royal Rumble)
Bray Wyatt (Defeated Cena Mar. 12th 2017 at the MSG Road to Wrestlemania Show in a No DQ Match)
Randy Orton (Defeated Wyatt Apr. 2nd 2017 at Wrestlemania 33)
Bray Wyatt (Defeated Orton Apr. 30th 2017 at Payback in a House of Horrors Match)
Finn Balor (Defeated Wyatt May 6th 2017 at a WWE Live Event and thus unified the Linear histories of the original WWE title, the Smackdown! Live WWE Title and the Universal Title)
Roman Reigns (Defeated Finn Balor May 15th 2017 at Monday Night Raw)
Samoa Joe (Defeated Reigns Jun. 19th 2017 at Monday Night Raw)
Brock Lesnar (Defeated Joe Jul. 9th 2017 at Great Balls of Fire)
Roman Reigns (Defeated Lesnar Aug. 19 2018 at Summerslam)
Shane McMahon (Defeated Reigns Jun. 7th, 2019 at WWE Super Showdown)
Kevin Owens (Defeated McMahon Aug. 11th, 2019 at Summerslam)
Samoa Joe (Defeated Owens Aug. 13th, 2019 at Smackdown Live!)
Kevin Owens (Defeated Joe Aug. 17th 2019 at Smackdown House show)
Elias (Defeated Owens Aug. 20th 2019 at Smackdown Live!) (This match unified the 24/7 linear title into the lineage)
R-Truth (Defeated Elias Aug. 24th 2019 in WWE.com event)
Rob Stone (Defeated R-Truth Aug. 24th 2019 in WWE.com event)
Elias (Defeated Rob Stone Aug. 24th 2019 in WWE.com event)
Drake Maverick (Defeated Elias Aug. 27th 2019 at Smackdown Live!)
Bo Dallas (Defeated Maverick Sep. 3rd 2019 at Smackdown Live!)
Drake Maverick (Defeated Bo Dallas Sep. 3rd 2019 at Smackdown Live!)
R-Truth (Defeated Maverick Sep. 3rd 2019 at Smackdown Live!)
Enes Kanter (Defeated R-Truth Sep. 9th 2019 in Monday Night Raw dark match)
R-Truth (Defeated Kanter Sep. 9th 2019 in Monday Night Raw dark match)
Glenn Jacobs (Defeated Truth Sep. 16th 2019 on Monday Night Raw)
R-Truth (Defeated Jacobs Sep. 16th 2019 on Monday Night Raw)
EC3 (Defeated Truth Sep. 20th 2019 at WWE Live Event)
R-Truth (Defeated EC3 Sep. 20th 2019 at WWE Live Event)
EC3 (Defeated Truth Sep. 21st 2019 at WWE Live Event)
R-Truth (Defeated EC3 Sep. 21st 2019 at WWE Live Event)
Carmella (Defeated Truth Sep. 23rd 2019 at WWE Raw)
Bonus: WCW World Heavyweight Champion Linear History
Bonus: IC Linear Championship
Bonus: "205" Cruiserweight Championship
Bonus: Linear WCW Cruiserweight Championship
Bonus: Linear WCW Light Heavyweight Championship
For those unaware, a Linear Championship is the idea that the title holder should have to defend their title every time they compete. If this were to be true and we followed it in a straight line (thus Linear), who would be champion?
I started my tracking from the years the WWWF was taken over by Vince Jr. and then changed to the WWF (this took place between 79-80 during which time Bob Backlund reigned as champion). I had noticed a few inconsistencies in others who tracked the title so this is my take on it. I have also included linear histories of several other major WWF and WCW titles. Amusingly, you will find that they all eventually join their lineages together to form up with the WWF lineage at some point or another.
A Linear History of the WWF/E Title
The Current Linear Champion: Carmella
Rules:
1. The Champion will defend his title in every 1 vs. 1 encounter.
2. The Champion cannot lose his title in multi-man matches, even if these are for the actual belt.
3. The Champion can lose his title in any company so long as he is still linear champion at that time.
4. The Champion will forfeit the title if he is inactive for 1 year or participates in no 1 vs. 1 encounters in that time.
5. The Champion can only lose his title via pinfall, submission, ref stoppage or match gimmick (such as a ladder match or cage match).
6. The Champion will not lose his title by DQ or Countout.
7. The Championship is not defended in things like Bodyslam challenges, arm wrestling contests, or the "break the submission" challenges. (This actually mattered for Mankind vs. Vince McMahon in an arm wrestling match)
-Fun Facts-
Longest Reign: Antonio Inoki (8 years, 27 days)
Most Reigns: John Cena (18)
Second Most Reigns: Kurt Angle (8)
# of People Who Have Held the Title: 81
# of Times the Title has been Relinquished due to inactivity: 2 (Rick Rude & Edge)
Closest to Relinquishing the title without Defending: Keiji Mutoh (The Great Mutah)
Funniest One-off: Rob Stone
Surprising Timing: Hulk Hogan
Biggest Gap Between Reigns: Shawn Michaels (9 years)
Guy Who Won it on my Birthday: The Undertaker
First Woman to Hold the Linear Title: Carmella
Merged Histories: The Histories for the Intercontinental, Universal,
the current Smackdown version of the WWE title, the 24/7 Championship,
and the WCW World Heavyweight Championship
have all merged into one lineage together.
Longest Reign: Antonio Inoki (8 years, 27 days)
Most Reigns: John Cena (18)
Second Most Reigns: Kurt Angle (8)
# of People Who Have Held the Title: 81
# of Times the Title has been Relinquished due to inactivity: 2 (Rick Rude & Edge)
Closest to Relinquishing the title without Defending: Keiji Mutoh (The Great Mutah)
Funniest One-off: Rob Stone
Surprising Timing: Hulk Hogan
Biggest Gap Between Reigns: Shawn Michaels (9 years)
Guy Who Won it on my Birthday: The Undertaker
First Woman to Hold the Linear Title: Carmella
Merged Histories: The Histories for the Intercontinental, Universal,
the current Smackdown version of the WWE title, the 24/7 Championship,
and the WCW World Heavyweight Championship
have all merged into one lineage together.
History
Bob Backlund (Inaugural Champion after WWWF Converted to the WWF)
Pat Patterson (Defeated Backlund Jul. 2nd 1979 at WWF MSG Show #1)
Bob Backlund (Defeated Patterson Sep. 24th 1979 at WWF MSG Show in a Cage match - This match unifies the Linear WWF Title with the Linear IC Title)
Antonio Inoki (Defeated Backlund Nov. 30th 1979 at NJPW Tokushima Show)
Big Van Vader (Defeated Antonio Inoki Dec. 27th 1987 at NJPW Inoki Youan Live III)
Riki Choshu (Defeated Vader Aug. 19th 1990 at the NJPW Sumo Hall Show)
Tatsumi Fukinami (Defeated Choshu Dec. 26th 1990 at NJPW Legends Show)
Big Van Vader (Defeated Tatsumi Jan. 17th 1991 at NJPW New Year Dash)
Tatsumi Fukinami (Defeated Vader Aug. 7th 1991 at NJPW G1 Climax Day 1)
Keiji Mutoh (Defeated Tatsumi Aug. 8th 1991 at NJPW G1 Climax Day 2) (Almost forfeited the title with just 4 days to go)
Masahiro Chono (Defeated Mutoh Aug. 10th 1992 at NJPW G1 Climax Day 3)
Keiji Mutoh- now The Great Muta (Defeated Chono Jan. 4th 1993 at WCW/NJPW Fantastic Story Supershow III)
Barry Windham (defeated The Great Muta Feb. 21st 1993 at WCW Superbrawl III)
Ric Flair (Defeated Windham July 18th 1993 at WCW Beach Blast)
Rick Rude (Defeated Flair Sep. 19th 1993 at WCW Fall Brawl)
Sting (Defeated Rude Apr. 17th 1994 at WCW Spring Stampede)
Rick Rude (Defeated Sting May 4th 1994 at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku)
Diesel (Rick Rude retired without defending the linear title, reverting to current WWF Champion Diesel May 4th 1995 and thus merging the WWF Linear history with the WCW Linear history as Diesel is reigning WCW linear champion at this time)
Bret Hart (Defeated Diesel Nov. 19th 1995 at Survivor Series in a No DQ Match)
Shawn Michaels (Defeated Hart Mar. 31st 1996 at Wrestlamania XII in a 60-Minutes Iron Man Match)
Sycho Sid (Defeated Michaels Nov. 17th 1996 at Survivor Series)
Shawn Michaels (Defeated Sid Jan. 19th 1997 at the Royal Rumble)
Hunter Hearst Helmsley (Defeated Michaels Dec. 11th 1997 at a Raw taping)
Steve Austin (Defeated Helmsley Mar. 22nd 1998 at WWF MSG Show)
Kane (Defeated Austin Jun. 28th 1998 at King of the Ring in a First Blood Match)
Steve Austin (Defeated Kane Jun 29th 1998 at Monday Night Raw)
Mankind (Defeated Austin Nov. 15th 1998 at Survivor Series)
The Rock (Defeated Mankind Nov. 15th 1998 at Survivor Series)
Mankind (Defeated Rock Dec. 13th 1998 at Rock Bottom)
Road Dogg (Defeated Mankind Dec. 29th 1998 at Monday Night Raw in a Hardcore Match)
Big Boss Man (Defeated Road Dogg Jan. 24th 1999 at the Royal Rumble)
The Undertaker (Defeated Boss Man Mar. 28th 1999 at Wrestlemania XV in Hell in a Cell)
Steve Austin (Defeated Undertaker Jun. 28th 1999 at Monday Night Raw)
Triple H (Defeated Austin Oct. 17th 1999 at No Mercy in an Anything Goes Match)
Test (Defeated Triple H Nov. 29th 1999 at Monday Night Raw)
X-Pac (Defeated Test Dec. 4th 1999 at MSG Show)
Kane (Defeated X-Pac Dec. 12th 1999 at Armageddon in a Cage Match)
The Rock (Defeated Kane Dec. 28th 1999 at a Smackdown! taping in a No Holds Barred Match)
Chris Benoit (Defeated Rock Feb. 14th 2000 at Monday Night Raw)
The Rock (Defeated Benoit Mar. 6th 2000 at Monday Night Raw in a Cage Match)
Chris Jericho (Apr. 18th 2000 at a Smackdown! Taping in Lumberjack Match)
Eddie Guerrero (Defeated Jericho May 6th 2000 at Insurrextion)
Val Venis (Defeated Guerrero Jun. 25th 2000 at King of the Ring)
Rikishi (Defeated Val Jun. 25th 2000 at King of the Ring)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Rikishi Jun. 25th 2000 at King of the Ring Finals)
Kane (Defeated Angle Jul. 11th 2000 at a Smackdown! Taping)
The Rock (Defeated Kane Aug. 28th 2000 at Monday Night Raw)
The Undertaker (Defeated Rock Sep. 18th 2000 at Monday Night Raw)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Undertaker Nov. 20th 2000 at Survivor Series)
The Rock (Defeated Angle Feb. 25th 2001 at No Way Out)
Steve Austin (Defeated Rock Apr. 1st 2001 at Wrestlemania X-Seven in a No DQ Match)
Rob Van Dam (Defeated Austin Sep. 4th 2001 at Smackdown!)
Kurt Angle (Defeated RVD Sep. 10th 2001 at Monday Night Raw in a Hardcore Match)
Rob Van Dam (Defeated Angle Sep. 10th 2001 at Monday Night Raw in a Hardcore Match)
Chris Jericho (Defeated RVD Sep. 22nd 2001 at WWF Live)
Rob Van Dam (Defeated Jericho Sep. 23rd 2001 at Unforgiven in a Hardcore Match)
The Rock (Defeated RVD Sep. 24th 2001 at Monday Night Raw)
Chris Jericho (Defeated Rock Oct. 21st 2001 at No Mercy)
The Rock (Defeated Jericho Nov. 5th 2001 at Monday Night Raw)
Chris Jericho (Defeated Rock Dec. 9th 2001 at Vengeance)
Triple H (Defeated Jericho Mar. 17th 2002 at Wrestlemania X8)
Hulk Hogan (Defeated Triple H Apr. 21st 2002 at Backlash)
The Undertaker (Defeated Hogan May 19th 2002 at Judgment Day)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Undertaker Jun. 18th 2002 at a Smackdown! taping)
Chris Benoit (Defeated Angle Sep. 22nd 2002 at Unforgiven)
Rey Mysterio (Defeated Benoit Oct. 1st 2002 at a Smackdown! taping)
Eddie Guerrero (Defeated Mysterio Nov. 12th 2002 at a Smackdown! taping)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Guerrero Nov. 19th 2002 at a Smackdown! taping)
Brock Lesnar (Defeated Angle Mar. 30th 2003 at Wrestlemania XIX)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Lesnar Aug 24th 2003 at Summerslam)
Brock Lesnar (Defeated Angle Sep. 16th 2003 at a Smackdown! taping in a 60-minute Iron Man Match)
Eddie Guerrero (Defeated Lesnar Feb. 15th 2004 at No Way Out)
D-Von Dudley (Defeated Guerrero Apr. 20th 2004 at a Smackdown! taping)
Paul London (Defeated D-von Jul 13th 2004 at a Smackdown! taping)
Booker T (Defeated London Sep. 21st 2004 at a Smackdown! taping)
John Cena (Defeated Booker T Oct. 3rd 2004 at No Mercy)
Carlito Caribbean Cool (Defeated Cena Oct. 5th 2004 at a Smackdown! taping)
John Cena (Defeated Carlito Nov. 16th 2004 at a Smackdown! taping)
Orlando Jordan (Defeated Cena Mar. 1st 2005 at a Smackdown! taping)
John Cena (Defeated Jordan Apr. 18th 2005 at a Smackdown! taping)
Carlito Caribbean Cool (Defeated Cena Jul. 25th 2005 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Carlito Aug. 1st 2005 at Monday Night Raw)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Cena Oct. 24th 2005 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Angle Nov. 27th 2005 at Survivor Series w/ Special Ref Daivari)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Cena Jan. 2nd 2006 at Monday Night Raw in a First Blood Match)
Shawn Michaels (Defeated Angle Jan. 16th 2006 at Monday Night Raw)
Shane McMahon (Defeated Michaels Mar. 6th 2006 at Monday Night Raw)
Bobby Lashley (Defeated Shane May 21st 2007 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Lashley Jul. 22nd 2007 at The Great American Bash)
Carlito (Defeated Cena Jul. 30th 2007 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Carlito Aug 13th 2007 at the Saturday Night's Main Event taping)
Randy Orton (Defeated Cena May 12th 2008 at Monday Night Raw)
Triple H (Defeated Orton May 18th 2008 at Judgment Day in a Cage Match)
Jeff Hardy (Defeated Triple H Nov. 11th 2008 at a Smackdown! taping)
Chris Jericho (Defeated Hardy Dec. 8th 2008 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Jericho Dec. 14th 2008 at Armageddon)
Shawn Michaels (Defeated Cena Jan. 12th 2009 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Michaels Jan. 26th 2009 at Monday Night Raw)
The Big Show (Defeated Cena Feb 17th 2009 at a Smackdown! taping)
John Cena (Defeated Show May 17th 2009 at Judgment Day)
The Big Show (Defeated Cena Jun 22nd at Monday Night Raw)
Triple H (Defeated Show Oct. 26th 2009 at Monday Night Raw w/ Special Ref John Cena in a No DQ Lumberjack Match)
Sheamus (Defeated Triple H Apr. 25th 2010 at Extreme Rules in a Streetfight)
John Cena (Defeated Sheamus Jun 19th 2010 at MSG Show)
Sheamus (Defeated Cena Jul. 18th 2010 at Money in the Bank in a Cage Match)
Randy Orton (Defeated Sheamus Sep 20th 2010 in a dark match)
The Miz (Defeated Orton Nov. 22nd 2010 at Monday Night Raw)
Edge (Defeated Miz Jan. 31st 2011 at Monday Night Raw)
CM Punk (Title defaulted to current WWE Champion Punk after Edge retired following his last defense and thus relinquished the title Apr. 3rd 2012)
Daniel Bryan (Defeated Punk May 28th 2012 at Monday Night Raw)
CM Punk (Defeated Bryan Jun 1st 2012 at a WWE Live Event in a No DQ Match)
Kane (Defeated Punk Jun 4th 2012 at Monday Night Raw)
Sheamus (Defeated Kane Jun 9th 2012 at a WWE Live Event in a Cage Match)
CM Punk (Defeated Sheamus Oct. 2nd 2012 at a Main Event taping)
John Cena (Defeated Punk Nov. 12th 2012 at Monday Night Raw)
Dolph Ziggler (Defeated Cena Dec. 16th 2012 at TLC in a Ladder Match)
John Cena (Defeated Ziggley Dec. 26th 2012 at the WWE Live Holidat Tour in a Streetfight)
Daniel Bryan (Defeated Cena Aug. 18th 2013 at Summerslam w/ Special Ref Triple H)
Randy Orton (Defeated Bryan Aug 18th 2013 at Summerslam w/ Special Ref Triple H)
Daniel Bryan (Defeated Orton Sep. 15th 2013 at Night of Champions)
Randy Orton (Defeated Bryan Oct. 27th 2013 at Hell in a Cell w/ Special Ref Shawn Michaels in a Hell in a Cell Match)
Kofi Kingston (Defeated Orton Jan. 13th 2014 at Monday Night Raw)
Alberto Del Rio (Defeated Kingston Jan. 27th 2014 at Monday Night Raw)
Batista (Defeated Del Rio Feb. 16th 2014 at a WWE Live Event)
Alberto Del Rio (Defeated Batista Feb. 24th 2014 at Monday Night Raw)
Sin Cara- former Hunico ver. (Defeated Del Rio Feb. 28th 2014 at a WWE Live Event)
Bad News Barrett (Defeated Sin Cara Mar. 8th 2014 at a WWE Live Event)
Sheamus (Defeated Barrett May 27th 2014 at a Smackdown! taping)
Cesaro (Defeated Sheamus Jun. 10th 2014 at a Smackdown! taping)
Kofi Kingston (Defeated Cesaro Jun. 30th 2014 at Monday Night Raw)
Cesaro (Defeated Kingston Jul. 4th 2014 at a WWE Live Event)
Kofi Kingston (Defeated Cesaro Jul. 7th 2014 at Monday Night Raw)
Cesaro (Defeated Kingston Jul. 11th 2014 at a WWE Live Event)
Rob Van Dam (Defeated Cesaro Jul. 12th 2014 at a WWE Live Event)
Alberto Del Rio (Defeated RVD Jul. 14th 2014 at Monday Night Raw)
Roman Reigns (Defeated Del Rio Jul. 22nd 2014 at a Smackdown! taping)
Seth Rollins (Defeated Reigns Mar. 2nd 2015 at Monday Night Raw)
John Cena (Defeated Rollins Mar. 6th 2015 at WWE Live Road to Wrestlemania in a Street Fight)
Kevin Owens (Defeated Cena May 31st 2015 at Elimination Chamber)
John Cena (Defeated Owens Jun 14th at Money in the Bank)
Seth Rollins (Defeated Cena Aug. 23rd 2015 at Summerslam)
Ryback (Defeated Rollins Sep. 7th 2015 at Monday Night Raw)
Seth Rollins (Defeated Ryback Sep. 8th 2015 at a Smackdown! taping in a Lumberjack Match)
John Cena (Defeated Seth Rollins Sep. 20th 2015 at Night of Champions)
Alberto Del Rio (Defeated Cena Oct. 25th 2015 at Hell in a Cell)
Roman Reigns (Defeated Del Rio Nov. 22nd 2015 at Survivor Series)
Sheamus (Defeated Reigns Nov. 22nd 2015 at Survivor Series)
Roman Reigns (Defeated Sheamus Dec. 14th 2015 at Monday Night Raw)
Seth Rollins (Defeated Reigns Jun. 19th 2016 at Money in the Bank)
Dean Ambrose (Defeated Rollins Jun. 19th 2016 at Money in the Bank)
AJ Styles (Defeated Ambrose Sep. 11th 2016 at Backlash)
John Cena (Defeated Styles Oct. 4th 2016 in a dark match)
AJ Styles (Defeated Cena Jan. 24th 2017 in a dark match)
John Cena (Defeated Styles Jan. 29th 2017 at the Royal Rumble)
Bray Wyatt (Defeated Cena Mar. 12th 2017 at the MSG Road to Wrestlemania Show in a No DQ Match)
Randy Orton (Defeated Wyatt Apr. 2nd 2017 at Wrestlemania 33)
Bray Wyatt (Defeated Orton Apr. 30th 2017 at Payback in a House of Horrors Match)
Finn Balor (Defeated Wyatt May 6th 2017 at a WWE Live Event and thus unified the Linear histories of the original WWE title, the Smackdown! Live WWE Title and the Universal Title)
Roman Reigns (Defeated Finn Balor May 15th 2017 at Monday Night Raw)
Samoa Joe (Defeated Reigns Jun. 19th 2017 at Monday Night Raw)
Brock Lesnar (Defeated Joe Jul. 9th 2017 at Great Balls of Fire)
Roman Reigns (Defeated Lesnar Aug. 19 2018 at Summerslam)
Shane McMahon (Defeated Reigns Jun. 7th, 2019 at WWE Super Showdown)
Kevin Owens (Defeated McMahon Aug. 11th, 2019 at Summerslam)
Samoa Joe (Defeated Owens Aug. 13th, 2019 at Smackdown Live!)
Kevin Owens (Defeated Joe Aug. 17th 2019 at Smackdown House show)
Elias (Defeated Owens Aug. 20th 2019 at Smackdown Live!) (This match unified the 24/7 linear title into the lineage)
R-Truth (Defeated Elias Aug. 24th 2019 in WWE.com event)
Rob Stone (Defeated R-Truth Aug. 24th 2019 in WWE.com event)
Elias (Defeated Rob Stone Aug. 24th 2019 in WWE.com event)
Drake Maverick (Defeated Elias Aug. 27th 2019 at Smackdown Live!)
Bo Dallas (Defeated Maverick Sep. 3rd 2019 at Smackdown Live!)
Drake Maverick (Defeated Bo Dallas Sep. 3rd 2019 at Smackdown Live!)
R-Truth (Defeated Maverick Sep. 3rd 2019 at Smackdown Live!)
Enes Kanter (Defeated R-Truth Sep. 9th 2019 in Monday Night Raw dark match)
R-Truth (Defeated Kanter Sep. 9th 2019 in Monday Night Raw dark match)
Glenn Jacobs (Defeated Truth Sep. 16th 2019 on Monday Night Raw)
R-Truth (Defeated Jacobs Sep. 16th 2019 on Monday Night Raw)
EC3 (Defeated Truth Sep. 20th 2019 at WWE Live Event)
R-Truth (Defeated EC3 Sep. 20th 2019 at WWE Live Event)
EC3 (Defeated Truth Sep. 21st 2019 at WWE Live Event)
R-Truth (Defeated EC3 Sep. 21st 2019 at WWE Live Event)
Carmella (Defeated Truth Sep. 23rd 2019 at WWE Raw)
Bonus: WCW World Heavyweight Champion Linear History
{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}Ric Flair (Inaugural Champion upon purchase of Jim Crockett and conversion to WCW)
Ricky Steamboat (Defeated Flair Feb 20th, 1989 at NWA Chi-Town Rumble)
Ric Flair (Defeated Steamboat May 7th, 1989 at NWA WrestleWar '89)
Sting (Defeated Flair Dec 13th, 1989 at NWA StarrCade '89)
Flair (Defeated Sting Jan 22nd, 1991 at WCW WCW Live)
Tatsumi Fujinami (Defeated Flair Mar 21st, 1991 at WCW/NJPW Supershow I)
Ric Flair (Defeated Fujinami May 19th, 1991 at WCW Superbrawl I)
Hulk Hogan (Defeated Flair Nov. 30th, 1991 at WWF MSG Show)
Yokozuna (Defeated Hogan Jun 13th, 1993 at WWF King of the Ring)
Luger (Defeated Yokozuna Aug 23rd, 1993 at USWA A Matter Of Pride: Luger Vs. Yokozuna)
Tatanka (Defeated Luger Aug. 29th, 1994 at WWF SummerSlam)
The Undertaker (Defeated Tatanka Jan 16th, 1995 at WWF MSG Show)
Mabel (Defeated Taker Jun 25th, 1995 at WWF King of the Ring)
Diesel (Defeated Mabel Aug 27th, 1995 at WWF SummerSlam merging together the WWE and WCW linear histories)
Ricky Steamboat (Defeated Flair Feb 20th, 1989 at NWA Chi-Town Rumble)
Ric Flair (Defeated Steamboat May 7th, 1989 at NWA WrestleWar '89)
Sting (Defeated Flair Dec 13th, 1989 at NWA StarrCade '89)
Flair (Defeated Sting Jan 22nd, 1991 at WCW WCW Live)
Tatsumi Fujinami (Defeated Flair Mar 21st, 1991 at WCW/NJPW Supershow I)
Ric Flair (Defeated Fujinami May 19th, 1991 at WCW Superbrawl I)
Hulk Hogan (Defeated Flair Nov. 30th, 1991 at WWF MSG Show)
Yokozuna (Defeated Hogan Jun 13th, 1993 at WWF King of the Ring)
Luger (Defeated Yokozuna Aug 23rd, 1993 at USWA A Matter Of Pride: Luger Vs. Yokozuna)
Tatanka (Defeated Luger Aug. 29th, 1994 at WWF SummerSlam)
The Undertaker (Defeated Tatanka Jan 16th, 1995 at WWF MSG Show)
Mabel (Defeated Taker Jun 25th, 1995 at WWF King of the Ring)
Diesel (Defeated Mabel Aug 27th, 1995 at WWF SummerSlam merging together the WWE and WCW linear histories)
Bonus: IC Linear Championship
{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}
Pat Patterson (Inaugural champion Sep. 1st 1979 when he "won" a "tournament")
Bob Backlund (Defeated Patterson Sep. 24th 1979 at WWF MSG Show in a Cage match - This match unifies the Linear WWF Title with the Linear IC Title until the retirement of Rick rude)
Jeff Jarrett (Rick Rude retired without defending the linear title, reverting to current IC Champion Jeff Jarrett May 4th 1995)
The Undertaker (Defeated Jarrett May 15 1995 at Monday Night Raw)
Mabel (Defeated Undertaker June 25 1995 at King of the Ring)
Diesel (Defeated Mabel Aug 27th 1995 at Summerslam, this match reunifies the lineage for the Linear IC and WWE titles until the retirement of Edge)
The Big Show (Title defaulted to current IC Champion Big Show after Edge retired following his last defense and thus relinquished the title Apr. 3rd 2012)
Alberto Del Rio (Defeated Show April 17th 2012 at WWE Live Wrestlemania Revenge Tour)
Sheamus (Defeated Del Rio May 17th 2012 at NXT taping, this match unified the Linear IC and WWE titles yet again which carries all the way through to Roman Reigns again)
Pat Patterson (Inaugural champion Sep. 1st 1979 when he "won" a "tournament")
Bob Backlund (Defeated Patterson Sep. 24th 1979 at WWF MSG Show in a Cage match - This match unifies the Linear WWF Title with the Linear IC Title until the retirement of Rick rude)
Jeff Jarrett (Rick Rude retired without defending the linear title, reverting to current IC Champion Jeff Jarrett May 4th 1995)
The Undertaker (Defeated Jarrett May 15 1995 at Monday Night Raw)
Mabel (Defeated Undertaker June 25 1995 at King of the Ring)
Diesel (Defeated Mabel Aug 27th 1995 at Summerslam, this match reunifies the lineage for the Linear IC and WWE titles until the retirement of Edge)
The Big Show (Title defaulted to current IC Champion Big Show after Edge retired following his last defense and thus relinquished the title Apr. 3rd 2012)
Alberto Del Rio (Defeated Show April 17th 2012 at WWE Live Wrestlemania Revenge Tour)
Sheamus (Defeated Del Rio May 17th 2012 at NXT taping, this match unified the Linear IC and WWE titles yet again which carries all the way through to Roman Reigns again)
Bonus: "205" Cruiserweight Championship
{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}TJP (Inaugural champion Defeated Gran Metalik Sep. 14th 2016 at Cruiserweight Classic Finals)
Brian Kendrick (Defeated TJP Oct. 3rd 2016 at Monday Night Raw)
Rich Swann (Defeated Kendrick Oct. 24th 2016 at Monday Night Raw)
Big Damo [AKA Killian Dain] (Defeated Swann Nov. 11th 2016 at NXT St. Augustine Show)
Drew McIntyre (Defeated Killian Dain Jun 10th 2017 at NXT Download Festival)
Bobby Roode (Defeated McIntyre Aug. 10th 2017 at NXT Bakersfield Show)
Drew McIntyre (Defeated Roode Aug. 19th 2017 at NXT TakeOver Brooklyn III)
Andrade "Cien" Almas (Defeated McIntyre Nov. 18th 2017 at NXT TakeOver WarGames)
Kassius Ohno (Defeated Almas Dec. 16th 2017 at NXT Little Rock Show)
Andrade "Cien" Almas (Defeated Ohno Dec. 16th 2017 at NXT Little Rock Show)
Johnny Gargano (Defeated Almas Mar. 4th 2018 at NXT Indianapolis Show)
Tommaso Ciampa (Defeated Gargano Jun. 16th 2018 at NXT TakeOver Chicago II)
Brian Kendrick (Defeated TJP Oct. 3rd 2016 at Monday Night Raw)
Rich Swann (Defeated Kendrick Oct. 24th 2016 at Monday Night Raw)
Big Damo [AKA Killian Dain] (Defeated Swann Nov. 11th 2016 at NXT St. Augustine Show)
Drew McIntyre (Defeated Killian Dain Jun 10th 2017 at NXT Download Festival)
Bobby Roode (Defeated McIntyre Aug. 10th 2017 at NXT Bakersfield Show)
Drew McIntyre (Defeated Roode Aug. 19th 2017 at NXT TakeOver Brooklyn III)
Andrade "Cien" Almas (Defeated McIntyre Nov. 18th 2017 at NXT TakeOver WarGames)
Kassius Ohno (Defeated Almas Dec. 16th 2017 at NXT Little Rock Show)
Andrade "Cien" Almas (Defeated Ohno Dec. 16th 2017 at NXT Little Rock Show)
Johnny Gargano (Defeated Almas Mar. 4th 2018 at NXT Indianapolis Show)
Tommaso Ciampa (Defeated Gargano Jun. 16th 2018 at NXT TakeOver Chicago II)
Bonus: Linear WCW Cruiserweight Championship
{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}Shinjiri Otani (Inaugural champion Defeated Wilf Pegasus AKA Chris Benoit Mar. 20th 1996 at NJPW Nagoya Show)
Tokimitsu Ishizawa (Defeated Otani Mar. 23rd 1996 at NJPW Sawara Show)
Kazuo Yamazaki (Defeated Ishizawa May 12th 1996 at NJPW Tokyo Show #1)
Shiro Koshinaka (Defeated Yamazaki Aug. 2nd 1996 at NJPW G1 Climax '96 Day 2)
Keiji Mutoh (Defeated Koshinaka Aug. 4th 1996 at NJPW G1 Climax '96 Day 4)
Masa Chono (Defeated Muto Aug. 5th 1996 at NJPW G1 Climax '96 Day 5)
Riki Choshu (Defeated Chono Aug. 5th 1996 at NJPW G1 Climax '96 Day 5)
Manabu Nakanishi (Defeated Choshu Sep. 17th 1996 at NJPW Kofu Show)
Animal Warrior (Road Warrior Animal) (Defeated Nakanishi Sep. 21st 1996 at NJPW Tokyo Show)
Eddie Guerrero (Animal did not participate in a 1 vs. 1 encounter following a match on Sep. 23rd, and thus relinquishes the belt to current champion Eddie on Sep. 23rd 1997)
Rey Misterio, Jr. (Defeated Guerrero Sep. 29th 1997 on WCW Nitro)
Dean Malenko (Defeated Mysterio Oct. 13th 1997 on WCW Nitro)
Curt Hennig (Defeated Malenko Oct. 20th 1997 on WCW Nitro)
Diamond Dallas Page (Defeated Hennig Dec. 28th 1997 at WCW Starrcade '97)
Sting (Defeated Page Mar. 23rd 1998 at WCW Nitro)
Randy Savage (Defeated Sting Apr. 19th 1998 at WCW Spring Stampede)
Hulk Hogan (Defeated Savage Apr. 20th 1998 at WCW Nitro)
Goldberg (Defeated Hogan Jul. 6th 1998 at WCW Nitro)
Kevin Nash (Defeated Goldberg Dec. 27th 1998 at WCW Starrcade '98)
Hulk Hogan (Fingerpoke of Doom Jan. 4th 1999 at WCW Nitro)
Sting (Defeated Hogan Sep. 12th 1999 at WCW Fall Brawl '99)
Goldberg (Defeated Sting Oct. 24th 1999 at WCW Halloween Havoc '99)
Bret Hart (Defeated Goldberg Oct. 25th 1999 at WCW Nitro)
Sid Vicious (Defeated Hart Jan. 6th 2000 at WCW Live)
Chris Benoit (Defeated Vicious Jan. 16th 2000 at WCW Souled Out '00)
Triple H (Defeated Benoit Feb. 1st 2000 at WWF Smackdown! Taping)
The Godfather (Defeated Triple H Mar. 14th 2000 at WWF Smackdown! Taping)
The Big Show (Defeated Godfather Apr. 4th 2000 at WWF Smackdown! Taping)
Shane McMahon (Defeated Show May 16th 2000 at WWF Smackdown! Taping)
The Rock (Defeated McMahon May 22nd 2000 at WWF Monday Night Raw)
Triple H (Defeated Rock Jun. 5th 2000 at WWF Monday Night Raw)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Triple H Oct. 2nd 2000 at WWF Monday Night Raw Unifying the lineage of the WCW Cruiserweight title with the WWF Heavyweight Title)
Tokimitsu Ishizawa (Defeated Otani Mar. 23rd 1996 at NJPW Sawara Show)
Kazuo Yamazaki (Defeated Ishizawa May 12th 1996 at NJPW Tokyo Show #1)
Shiro Koshinaka (Defeated Yamazaki Aug. 2nd 1996 at NJPW G1 Climax '96 Day 2)
Keiji Mutoh (Defeated Koshinaka Aug. 4th 1996 at NJPW G1 Climax '96 Day 4)
Masa Chono (Defeated Muto Aug. 5th 1996 at NJPW G1 Climax '96 Day 5)
Riki Choshu (Defeated Chono Aug. 5th 1996 at NJPW G1 Climax '96 Day 5)
Manabu Nakanishi (Defeated Choshu Sep. 17th 1996 at NJPW Kofu Show)
Animal Warrior (Road Warrior Animal) (Defeated Nakanishi Sep. 21st 1996 at NJPW Tokyo Show)
Eddie Guerrero (Animal did not participate in a 1 vs. 1 encounter following a match on Sep. 23rd, and thus relinquishes the belt to current champion Eddie on Sep. 23rd 1997)
Rey Misterio, Jr. (Defeated Guerrero Sep. 29th 1997 on WCW Nitro)
Dean Malenko (Defeated Mysterio Oct. 13th 1997 on WCW Nitro)
Curt Hennig (Defeated Malenko Oct. 20th 1997 on WCW Nitro)
Diamond Dallas Page (Defeated Hennig Dec. 28th 1997 at WCW Starrcade '97)
Sting (Defeated Page Mar. 23rd 1998 at WCW Nitro)
Randy Savage (Defeated Sting Apr. 19th 1998 at WCW Spring Stampede)
Hulk Hogan (Defeated Savage Apr. 20th 1998 at WCW Nitro)
Goldberg (Defeated Hogan Jul. 6th 1998 at WCW Nitro)
Kevin Nash (Defeated Goldberg Dec. 27th 1998 at WCW Starrcade '98)
Hulk Hogan (Fingerpoke of Doom Jan. 4th 1999 at WCW Nitro)
Sting (Defeated Hogan Sep. 12th 1999 at WCW Fall Brawl '99)
Goldberg (Defeated Sting Oct. 24th 1999 at WCW Halloween Havoc '99)
Bret Hart (Defeated Goldberg Oct. 25th 1999 at WCW Nitro)
Sid Vicious (Defeated Hart Jan. 6th 2000 at WCW Live)
Chris Benoit (Defeated Vicious Jan. 16th 2000 at WCW Souled Out '00)
Triple H (Defeated Benoit Feb. 1st 2000 at WWF Smackdown! Taping)
The Godfather (Defeated Triple H Mar. 14th 2000 at WWF Smackdown! Taping)
The Big Show (Defeated Godfather Apr. 4th 2000 at WWF Smackdown! Taping)
Shane McMahon (Defeated Show May 16th 2000 at WWF Smackdown! Taping)
The Rock (Defeated McMahon May 22nd 2000 at WWF Monday Night Raw)
Triple H (Defeated Rock Jun. 5th 2000 at WWF Monday Night Raw)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Triple H Oct. 2nd 2000 at WWF Monday Night Raw Unifying the lineage of the WCW Cruiserweight title with the WWF Heavyweight Title)
Bonus: Linear WCW Light Heavyweight Championship
{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}(WWE Recognizes the Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight championships as one lineage in WCW and this list does the same for purposes of forfeiture)
Brian Pillman (Inaugural Champion Defeated Richard Morton Oct. 27th 1991 at WCW Halloween Havoc '91)
Scotty Flamingo (Raven) (Defeated Pillman Jun. 20th 1992 at WCW Beach Blast '92)
Marcus Bagwell (Defeated Flamingo Aug. 16th 1992 at WCW Worldwide Wrestling Taping)
Lord Steven Regal (Defeated Bagwell Jun. 16th 1993 at WCW Clash of the Champions XXIII)
Larry Zbysko (Defeated Regal May 22nd 1994 at WCW Slamboree '94)
Lord Steven Regal (Defeated Zbyska Jun. 23rd 1994 at WCW Clash of the Champions XXVII)
Antonio Inoki (Defeated Regal Aug. 28th 1994 at WCW Clash of the Champions XXVIII)
Rey Misterio Jr. (Inoki retires without losing a match -and barely having any at all- reverting to current champion Rey Mysterio on Apr. 4th 1999)
Lenny Lane (Defeated Mysterio Aug. 19th 1999 at WCW Thunder Taping)
Norman Smiley (Defeated Lane Mar. 6th 2000 at WCW Nitro)
Hugh Morrus (Defeated Smiley Mar. 201th 2000 at WCW Nitro)
Norman Smiley (Defeated Morrus Apr. 1st 2000 at WCW Live)
Terry Funk (Defeated Smiley Apr. 16th 2000 at WCW Spring Stampede '00)
Eric Bischoff (Defeated Funk Jun. 5th 2000 at WCW Nitro)
Shane Helms (Bischoff never defended, reverting the title to current champion Shane Helms on Jun. 5th 2001)
Billy Kidman (Defeated Helms Jul. 3rd 2001 at WWF Smackdown! Taping)
X-Pac (Defeated Kidman Jul. 14th 2001 at WWF Live)
Kidman (Defeated X-Pac Jul. 15th 2001 at WWF Live)
X-Pac (Defeated Kidman Jul. 30th 2001 at WWF Monday Night Raw)
Tajiri (Defeated X-Pac Aug. 6th 2001 at WWF Monday Night Raw)
X-Pac (Defeated Tajiri Aug. 17th at WWF Live)
William Regal (Defeated X-Pac Sep. 24th 2001 at WWF Monday Night Raw)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Regal Oct. 9th 2001 at WWF Smackdown! Taping)
Chris Jericho (Defeated Angle Nov. 3rd 2001 at WWF Rebellion '01)
The Rock (Defeated Jericho Nov. 5th 2001 at WWF Monday Night Raw This unifies the Light Heavyweight Championship with the WWF Heavyweight Title)
Brian Pillman (Inaugural Champion Defeated Richard Morton Oct. 27th 1991 at WCW Halloween Havoc '91)
Scotty Flamingo (Raven) (Defeated Pillman Jun. 20th 1992 at WCW Beach Blast '92)
Marcus Bagwell (Defeated Flamingo Aug. 16th 1992 at WCW Worldwide Wrestling Taping)
Lord Steven Regal (Defeated Bagwell Jun. 16th 1993 at WCW Clash of the Champions XXIII)
Larry Zbysko (Defeated Regal May 22nd 1994 at WCW Slamboree '94)
Lord Steven Regal (Defeated Zbyska Jun. 23rd 1994 at WCW Clash of the Champions XXVII)
Antonio Inoki (Defeated Regal Aug. 28th 1994 at WCW Clash of the Champions XXVIII)
Rey Misterio Jr. (Inoki retires without losing a match -and barely having any at all- reverting to current champion Rey Mysterio on Apr. 4th 1999)
Lenny Lane (Defeated Mysterio Aug. 19th 1999 at WCW Thunder Taping)
Norman Smiley (Defeated Lane Mar. 6th 2000 at WCW Nitro)
Hugh Morrus (Defeated Smiley Mar. 201th 2000 at WCW Nitro)
Norman Smiley (Defeated Morrus Apr. 1st 2000 at WCW Live)
Terry Funk (Defeated Smiley Apr. 16th 2000 at WCW Spring Stampede '00)
Eric Bischoff (Defeated Funk Jun. 5th 2000 at WCW Nitro)
Shane Helms (Bischoff never defended, reverting the title to current champion Shane Helms on Jun. 5th 2001)
Billy Kidman (Defeated Helms Jul. 3rd 2001 at WWF Smackdown! Taping)
X-Pac (Defeated Kidman Jul. 14th 2001 at WWF Live)
Kidman (Defeated X-Pac Jul. 15th 2001 at WWF Live)
X-Pac (Defeated Kidman Jul. 30th 2001 at WWF Monday Night Raw)
Tajiri (Defeated X-Pac Aug. 6th 2001 at WWF Monday Night Raw)
X-Pac (Defeated Tajiri Aug. 17th at WWF Live)
William Regal (Defeated X-Pac Sep. 24th 2001 at WWF Monday Night Raw)
Kurt Angle (Defeated Regal Oct. 9th 2001 at WWF Smackdown! Taping)
Chris Jericho (Defeated Angle Nov. 3rd 2001 at WWF Rebellion '01)
The Rock (Defeated Jericho Nov. 5th 2001 at WWF Monday Night Raw This unifies the Light Heavyweight Championship with the WWF Heavyweight Title)