10 Longest title reigns in wrestling history

Before you start to complain that Brock Lesnar's reign as WWE Universal Champion has gone on too long, you should bone up on your wrestling history.

Long title reigns used to be the norm, not the exception. Treating the championship like a hot potato can diminish its meaning, and also put the belt on unworthy performers (we're looking at YOU, Wildfire Tommy Rich.)

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If anything, Brock's lengthy reign has brought a lot more stability to the WWE's product, which is both good and bad. It's good because casual fans are more likely to be familiar with a champion who has reigned a long time, but bad because having the same champion for a long period of time can lead to stagnation.

There are other reasons why the title reigns of yesteryear lasted longer. For one, the world champion wasn't expected to be at every television taping or event, as they usually are now (with Lesnar's part-time schedule making him an exception.) Also, it is felt by the entertainment industry in general that consumer's attention spans have shortened.

Whatever the case, Lesnar's long reign is by no means the longest. In fact, it's not even in the top ten. Here are ten wrestlers who held their championships for a very long time. Note that these are not ALL the long title reigns, just the ones which are the most famous or influential.

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#1 Fabulous Moolah: Over 10,000 days as Women's champion (sort of)

The WWE officially recognizes Fabulous Moolah's reign as women's champion as being nearly thirty years long. Of course, this isn't quite the case.

Moolah began her historic reign as champion in 1956 when she won a 13 woman battle royal. The WWE doesn't recognize the times she dropped the title, the first of which happened in 1966, partially because she usually won it back quickly. The WWE also doesn't acknowledge that the women's title changed from the NWA to the WWF in 1983.

Nonetheless, Moolah was basically champion for most of the 27 years WWE claims, which is no small feat.

#2 Bruno Sammartino: Champion for 2,800 days

One of the longest title reigns of all time at nearly seven years, Bruno Sammartino's time as champion almost didn't happen.

The WWWF split from the NWA and wanted to have their own prestigious world title in 1963. Their pick was Nature Boy Buddy Rogers, who was probably the biggest star of his era. Unfortunately, Rogers had medical issues including heart disease and could no longer perform. He dropped the title to a young lion named Bruno Sammartino, and the rest is history.

Bruno would go on to defend the Championship for nearly seven years against some of the toughest wrestlers in the world. Brock Lesnar hasn't even scratched the surface of what Bruno accomplished at a much earlier stage of his career.

#3 Verne Gagne: Champion for 2,600 days

Vern Gagne, WWE Hall of Famer and holder of one of the longest title reigns in history. Gagne held the NWA championship from 1968 to 1975.

Gagne often played politics with his position as champion and refused to drop the belt to anyone he found unworthy. Apparently, no one was worthy for seven years until a man most is familiar with as a referee appeared; Nick Bockwinkel.

#4 Lou Thesz: Champion for 2300 days

In his day, Thesz was considered an innovator. He definitely created the Lou Thesz Press and is often credited for creating the chokeslam after a botched lifting hangman's chokehold.

In the days when men were men and steroids was just a funny word, Thesz was one of the toughest, most skilled, and athletic wrestlers around.

#5 Bob Backlund: Champion for 2100 days

Bob Backlund is--or was, since he seems truly retired now--the comeback king of pro wrestling. He began his career in 1973, retired for a while in 1984 except for special appearances, then came back to the WWE in 1992 and captured the world title again.

He has also had runs in TNA before its GFW days and is a fixture at wrestling conventions.

Backlund's title reign of over five years was impressive but also was indicative of the changing mores of pro wrestling, since his reign was shorter than Thesz's or Gagne's.

#6 Frank Gotch: Champion for 1800 days

Frank Gotch's reign may not be as long as others on this list, but his reign is the most impressive for one reason;

Most of his matches were legit contests, instead of the scripted performance that wrestling has become in the modern era. Frank was an expert at catch wrestling, and cut his teeth as a 'hooker,' or master wrestler who could beat just about anyone and pin them to the mat.

Supposedly, Gotch was a sneaky and dirty wrestler, using holds that weren't quite illegal or hiding illegal moves from the eyes of the referee. When wrestling started to become less of an athletic contest and more of a performance, Gotch changed with the times and added flashier moves to his repertoire.

#7 Hulk Hogan: Champion for 1400 days

Hulk Hogan is synonymous with 1980s wrestling. He kicked off the Rock and Wrestling craze when he defeated Iron Sheik for the WWF world championship in front of a sell out crowd.

From there, Hogan would go on to defend the title against men like Andre the Giant, King Kong Bundy and others. Hogan's infrequent title defenses somewhat tarnish his long reign, but he is still the man most associated with the WWE championship.

#8 Harley Race: Champion for 900 days

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Harley Race was one of the toughest, most feared pro wrestlers of his era, mostly because of his surly attitude and willingness to fight backstage.

He is also one of the most celebrated performers of any era. Much like John Cena, he could make people stars just by defending his title against them. Men like Ric Flair owe their lengthy careers and fame to Harley Race in many ways.

Race had become bitter towards the wrestling industry at one point, and participated in a documentary to reveal how wrestling was actually 'fake'. This led him to be blacklisted for years by many companies, though now the ice seems to have thawed a bit.

The race is also famous for managing Vader during his WCW run and for his time as King Harley Race in WWE's classic era.

#9 Ric Flair: Champion for 800 days

The Nature Boy is the man who most people associate with the NWA world title, and with good reason. Not only did he hold it for 800 days, then after a two-week reign by Dusty Rhodes for another 400 days, he also defended the title all over the world against the best competition wrestling had to offer.

It's easier to make a list of people Flair hasn't fought than those he has.

Ric Flair added a level of dignity and prestige to the championship. Taking a cue from "Broadway" Joe Namath, Flair dressed in expensive tailored suits, draped himself in furs and jewelry, and always portrayed himself as better than the fans in the audience, ensuring their ire against him was red hot. Though his reign is not nearly as long as men like Bob Backlund, his influence during his time as champion is not to be discounted.

#10 Rob Van Dam: Champion for 700 days

In the days of ECW, there was no wrestler more popular or dynamic than everyone's favorite pothead from Battle Creek, Michigan.

RVD held the ECW Television title for over two years, putting on consistently five-star performances each time he entered the ring. In fact, RVD often pulled double duty because he was also a tag team champion with partner Sabu for much of this time.

Though his title was not the 'main' belt of ECW, it is often considered more prestigious because of the level of talent the men who held it possessed.

There you have it: Ten of the longest title reigns in wrestling history. Who is your favorite long-reigning champion? Be sure to comment and let us know.

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