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Becoming the WWE champion is the pinnacle of any performer's career. The belt is the most established and prestigious in the industry, and having the opportunity to have your name etched onto a list that includes the likes of Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and Shawn Michaels is the highest honor a superstar can be afforded.
Unfortunately, for some superstars, such honors can be incredibly short-lived, and in an age where things like Money in the Bank cash-ins exist, some title reigns can be over before they have even gotten started.
With the potential of a cash-in looming at this year's SummerSlam, potentially crowning Roman Reigns as the shortest reigning Universal Champion in history, let's take a look back at the five shortest WWE title reigns in the company's history.
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#5: Daniel Bryan, SummerSlam 2013- 4 minutes, 7 seconds
The WWE had no idea what they were starting when they decided to have Randy Orton cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase against Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam 2013.
Bryan had just defeated John Cena in a match of the year contender, when Triple H, who had been the guest referee for the match, turned on Daniel Bryan, allowing Randy Orton to come to the ring and cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase.
This would be turn out to be the catalyst for what would eventually become the 'Yes! Movement', with fans furious at the decision to strip Bryan so quickly of his newly won WWE title.
#4: John Cena, Elimination Chamber 2010- 3 minutes, 33 seconds
John Cena may have matched Ric Flair's record for the most world champions won, but not one of the Nature Boy's reigns were as short as John Cena's at Elimination Chamber 2010.
After overcoming five other men in the grueling structure, a battered and beaten John Cena was informed by Vince McMahon that, if he wanted to headline WrestleMania as the champion, then he would have to go through Batista first.
The impromptu match between the two men lasted just 32 seconds, with The Animal taking out the champ with a Batista bomb to pick up the win.
#3: Yokozuna, WrestleMania IX- 2 minutes, 6 seconds
WrestleMania IX is largely remembered for being the worst WrestleMania in history, and one of the biggest reasons for that is its horrendously misjudged ending.
The main event was a lackluster affair which saw Yokozuna overcome Bret Hart to win the WWE championship. Yokozuna had had help winning the match when his manager, Mr Fuji, had thrown salt into Hart's eyes.
Post-match, Hulk Hogan made his way to the ring to check on Hart and was challenged to a match with Yokozuna by Fuji. The duo's nefarious tactics would backfire on them the second time around though, with Fuji accidentally throwing salt into Yokozuna's eyes, and not Hogan's.
This led to Hogan hitting his iconic leg-drop, and picking up the victory to send the fans home happy, ending Yokozuna's reign at just two minutes and six seconds.
#2: Seth Rollins- 2 minutes
When Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns clean to win the WWE title at Money in the Bank 2016, fans around the world were in shock.
Reigns was the company's golden boy, and Rollins, who was a heel at the time, had just returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
That was only the beginning, though, as Dean Ambrose would then cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase on his former Shield team-mate to take the gold away from him.
After initially distracting him with his entrance music, Ambrose quickly struck Rollins from behind with the briefcase, before hitting a dirty deeds to win his first ever WWE title.
The night is best remembered for being the night where all three Shield members held the WWE title, but it is also noteworthy for having the second shortest WWE title reign of all time.
#1: Andre the Giant- 1 minute, 48 seconds
Andre the Giant is one most iconic figures in the history of wrestling. The legendary 7 foot 4 superstar has shared a stage with the best of the best and has secured his place among the most cherished superstars to ever grace the squared circle.
Andre the Giant set various records throughout his life, but one that is seldom discussed is his record as the shortest reigning WWE champion of all time.
Back in 1988, The Million Dollar Man, Ted Dibiase, was desperate to get his hands on the WWE title and was willing to pay whatever price the champion would demand for the belt.
Unfortunately for Dibiase, the champion at the time, Hulk Hogan was not willing to part ways with his belt, no matter the cost.
Step forward, Andre the Giant. Unlike his flag-waving, babyface rival, Andre was more than willing to sell the WWE title if he got his hands on it, and that is precisely what happened at The Main Event in February 1988.
Andre did battle with Hulk Hogan for the belt, and would eventually prize it away from The Hulkster thanks to a little help from Dibiase himself. Less than two minutes after the final bell rang, The Giant parted ways with the belt, handing it over to Dibiase for a pricey sum, and forever etching himself into the history books as the shortest reigning WWE champion of all time.
