Recently, John Cena made headlines with his audacious declaration that he intends to “ruin”the WWE Championship lineage by seizing the title at WrestleMania 41 and retiring with it. However, it’s important to acknowledge that the history of WWE’s most esteemed title is not without its share of blemishes. Since Buddy Rogers was recognized as the inaugural WWWF Champion in April 1963, the championship has faced official vacancies on 11 different occasions. These interruptions were often due to legitimate injuries to champions or controversial match endings leading to disqualifications.
Notably, Cena himself has had a hand in three of these vacated titles, including his third reign in 2007, abruptly ending due to a torn pectoral muscle. As we eagerly await WrestleMania 41, it’s worthwhile to examine the turbulent history of the WWE Championship and its various interruptions.
12
Bob Backlund (Sort Of) — November 1979
This One Is Tricky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVEyE9F-fGQ
Bob Backlund’s initial reign as WWF Champion is officially recorded as lasting 2,135 days, spanning from February 1978 to December 1983. However, there is a notable caveat. In November 1979, Backlund faced off against Japanese wrestling icon Antonio Inoki in a title match held in Tokushima, Japan. In this bout, Inoki captured the win with assistance from Tiger Jeet Singh, who distracted Backlund long enough for Inoki to secure a pinfall.
The two competitors faced each other again a week later, culminating in a no-contest due to further interference from Singh. Inoki subsequently opted to vacate the title amid the surrounding controversy, with Backlund reclaiming it later that month in New York City. Notably, this incident is absent from WWE’s official historical accounts.
11
Ted DiBiase — February 1988
He Couldn’t Buy His Way to the Title
The first formal vacancy in the title’s history emerged when Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan for the WWF Championship at The Main Event. This historical moment saw Andre attempt to pass the championship to Ted DiBiase, the self-proclaimed ‘Million Dollar Man.’ Nevertheless, WWF President Jack Tunney declined to recognize DiBiase as champion, asserting the title was vacated despite DiBiase defending it just days later.
In light of the vacated title, Tunney called for a tournament at WrestleMania IV to crown a new champion, ultimately resulting in Randy Savage winning the championship, which he held for over a year before losing it back to Hogan at WrestleMania V.
10
Hulk Hogan — December 1991
That Didn’t Work For Us, Brother
A few years later, Hogan found himself embroiled in another controversial title change. Following a defeat at the hands of The Undertaker during Survivor Series, Hogan secured an immediate rematch and reclaimed the championship at This Tuesday in Texas. However, interference from Ric Flair and Paul Bearer marred the match’s conclusion, leading Tunney to strip Hogan of the title the very next day. Flair went on to capture the vacated championship by winning the 1992 Royal Rumble.
9
Shawn Michaels — February 1997
Michaels Lost His Smile
Shawn Michaels seized the WWF Championship for the second time at the 1997 Royal Rumble, but his reign was short-lived. Less than a month later, he vacated the title, citing a knee injury. Michaels’ choice to relinquish the championship sparked debates due to his reported reluctance to drop the title to Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13.
The WWE quickly crowned a new champion, with Bret Hart winning a crucial four-way elimination match at the In Your House 13: Final Four event against formidable opponents Steve Austin, The Undertaker, and Vader.
8
Steve Austin — September 1998
How We Got Deadly Games
Steve Austin’s second reign as champion came to an unexpected halt at the Breakdown: In Your House event, where both The Undertaker and Kane simultaneously pinned him in a chaotic triple threat match. This scenario led to the creation of the Deadly Game tournament, culminating in The Rock emerging as “The Corporate Champion”after defeating Mankind with Vince McMahon’s assistance.
Ultimately, Austin regained the title at WrestleMania XV, but not before the top championship changed hands multiple times between The Rock and Mankind.
7
Vince McMahon — September 1999
The Chairman Champ
After a year marked by tumultuous title changes, Austin inadvertently contributed to another vacancy when he aided McMahon in triumphing over Triple H for the championship during a September 16th episode of WWE SmackDown. However, McMahon was compelled to vacate the title shortly thereafter due to a previous match stipulation tied to a Fully Loaded pay-per-view event.
With the championship available, Triple H captured it at the Unforgiven pay-per-view, winning a six-man elimination match with Austin as the enforcer on the outside. Despite their ongoing feud throughout the Attitude Era, Austin and Triple H never exchanged victories for the WWE’s top prize.
6
John Cena — October 2007
His Time Was Up
Following the unprecedented turmoil surrounding the championship, the WWE title held steady for almost a decade until 2007, when Cena’s reign ended abruptly due to a torn pectoral muscle sustained during a match against Mr. Kennedy on WWE Raw.
Coinciding with Cena’s injury, the No Mercy pay-per-view hosted a series of title matches that saw the championship exchanged three times, concluding with Randy Orton emerging as the new champion.
5
Batista — June 2009
No Luck For The Animal
While Batista’s association was primarily with the World Heavyweight Championship, he finally captured the WWE Championship at Extreme Rules 2009, defeating Randy Orton in a Steel Cage Match. Sadly, injury struck once again as he suffered a torn bicep during the match, leading to Orton reclaiming the title just a week later. Batista wouldn’t have another opportunity to be champion again until 2010.
4
CM Punk — July 2011
The Summer of Punk
CM Punk set out to win the WWE Championship at Money in the Bank 2011, intent on leaving the company with the title as his contract neared expiration. He achieved this goal, defeating Cena and famously exited the arena while blowing a kiss to Vince McMahon. In response, WWE officials quickly organized a tournament to fill the championship void, with Rey Mysterio winning the title on a WWE Raw episode. However, Mysterio faced Cena that same night and lost the title before the bell could ring properly.
Cena’s celebration was cut short as Punk made a dramatic return, laying the groundwork for a title unification match at the SummerSlam event that year, where Punk defeated Cena once again. However, Alberto Del Rio exploited the moment to cash in his Money in the Bank contract.
3
Daniel Bryan — September 2013
The Authority Strikes
Daniel Bryan faced the unfortunate fate of vacating the WWE Championship twice, though the circumstances surrounding the first incident were beyond his control. After winning his first WWE Championship against Randy Orton at the 2013 Night of Champions pay-per-view, Bryan was stripped of the title the very next night on WWE Raw, prompted by Triple H’s interference.
During the championship match, Bryan was caught up in a fast count orchestrated by referee Scott Armstrong, who had accepted bribes from Triple H. Bryan wouldn’t have another chance to seize the championship until WrestleMania XXX the following year.
2
Daniel Bryan — June 2014
A Dream, Shattered
Daniel Bryan’s triumph over Randy Orton and Batista for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XXX is etched in the annals of WWE as a monumental victory. Unfortunately, his success was short-lived. Bryan continued to battle The Authority, but ultimately had to vacate the title by June 2014 due to a serious neck injury.
The title would be contested in that year’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match, which saw Cena crowned as champion. Bryan’s return to action wouldn’t materialize until early 2015, and he would not hold the WWE Championship again for an extended period.
1
Seth Rollins — November 2015
The Fall of The Architect
As of March 2025, the WWE Championship has enjoyed a remarkable period without official vacancies for nearly a decade. The last incident occurred due to an unfortunate accident, as Seth Rollins suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and damaged meniscus while competing in a live event in Dublin, Ireland.
With Rollins sidelined, WWE orchestrated a tournament to crown a new champion at the 2015 Survivor Series. Roman Reigns ultimately claimed the title, only for Sheamus to cash in his Money in the Bank contract moments later. Rollins returned to reclaim the championship the subsequent year during Money in the Bank, only to find himself on the receiving end of a cash-in from Dean Ambrose shortly thereafter.