Comparing Roman Reigns’ Title Spell To Previous Title Holders – Undisputed WWE Universal champion Roman Reigns is the longest reigning champion in the history of the WWE Universal belt. He has held the title since August 2020 when he beat The Fiend and Braun Strowman in a Triple Threat Match at Payback.
It’s good to be the #TribalChief. #Bloodline @HeymanHustle @WWESoloSikoa @WWEUsos
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) April 7, 2023
📸: @Timmsy17 pic.twitter.com/moNowRpgNM
As reported by WA in 2022, Reigns added the WWE Championship to his waist at WrestleMania 38 in a winner takes all contest against Brock Lesnar. Here is a look at how Reigns compares to some of the other WWE champions in history and what is next for the leader of The Bloodline.
Bruno Sammartino a Long Way Clear in Combined Days
Two-time champion Bruno Sammartino holds the record for the longest reign as the WWE champion, as he was the title holder for 2,803 days between May 1963 and January 1971. His eight-year spell as the champion was ended by Ivan Koloff at Madison Square Garden.
Sammartino became a champion for a second time in December 1973. He went on to hold the belt for another 1,237 days, which means his combined reign is 4,040 days. In what is now his fourth spell as the WWE champion, Reigns has over 500 combined days with the belt, but that leaves him a long way short of The Italian Strongman.
As reported by CBS at the event, Sammartino entered the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013. He inspired many future world champions to take up wrestling and eventually follow in his footsteps as a champion.
More Days Than WWE Greats
Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Rock are considered three of the best WWE champions in history, but Reigns has now overtaken those three men in the time spent with the belt around his waist.
Michaels had three spells as the WWE champion, lasting a total of 396 days. He became the first wrestler to win the Royal Rumble as the number one contestant. He has also been the European, Intercontinental, and Tag Team champion.
Stone Cold won his first WWE title after beating Michaels at WrestleMania XIV. The Rattlesnake went on to have six spells as champion during the WWE Attitude era. His rivalry with Vince McMahon is regarded as one of the best feuds in the history of the brand.
With eight reigns as champion, The Rock is at the top end of the list when it comes to the number of spells with the title. ‘The People’s Champion’ held the belt for a combined 376 days during his career with the WWE. The 2000 Royal Rumble winner now trails Reigns in the list of days with the championship belt.
Who is Next for the WWE Champion?
Many of the current roster on Smackdown have faced Reigns and have been unable to take away his championship belts over the last few years. It could lead to him facing an opponent from another sport or brand in the future.
UFC star Conor McGregor is one of the biggest names in the world of martial arts and he has been linked with the WWE before. Notorious is likely to face Michael Chandler in the Octagon later this year. As of May 22nd, at the odds Betway is offering, he is -110 to win that fight. Depending on the result of that contest, his next venture could be in the WWE to take on Reigns.
World boxing champion Tyson Fury is another fighter who continues to be discussed as an opponent for the undisputed WWE Universal Champion. The reigning WBC heavyweight boxing champion had a spell in the WWE in 2019. He not only defeated Strowman at Crown Jewel, but he also appeared several times on Raw and Smackdown, showing how big of a personality he is.
Biggest #WWEDraft Round 1 Surprise ⬇️#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/W0IDauLpy6
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 29, 2023
Inside the WWE, Bobby Lashley, Lesnar and many more on the Smackdown brand will be hoping to get another shot at Reigns this year. As reported by Yahoo following the draft, Lashley was selected by Smackdown to feature on the brand, while Lesnar is a free agent which allows him to compete on both Raw and Smackdown.WWE event Money In The Bank (July 1) and SummerSlam (August 5) are two of the biggest pay-per-view events on the WWE calendar where Reigns is likely to defend his titles in the ring this summer.
Comparing Roman Reigns’ Title Spell To Previous Title Holders
