5 greatest United States Champions of all time

The United States Championship is one of the most iconic titles in wrestling history. Formally being introduced in 1975, the title has gone through many different companies and looks.

Originally debuting as a part of the NWA, the title later became a part of WCW in the late 1980s.

After the company's collapse in 2001, the title was retired, before making its debut in WWE in the summer of 2003.

Over the decades, there have been dozens of men to hold the star-spangled gold, but some have been able to stand head and shoulders above the rest.

Here are the 5 greatest United States Champions of all time, and why they are the best of this elite club.

Bret Hart

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After leaving the WWF due to the Montreal Screwjob, the Hitman joined WCW, quickly making his presence known, capturing the US Championship.

With four reigns as champion in WCW, Hart cemented his reputation as one of wrestling's most trusted hands, feuding with fellow Hall of Famers such as Diamond Dallas Page and Rowdy Roddy Piper.

Whilst many have considered the Canadian's time in WCW to be a flop, with a nasty spear ending his career, Bret was able to prove that he could still hang with the best of them post-screwjob.

When Bret surrendered the title in 1999, many saw it as his last reign. Shockingly though, Hart would capture the title once again, 11 years later, defeating the Miz on Monday Night RAW, and showing the former World Champion still had some tricks up his sleeve.

Sting

It is fitting that Sting is one of the greatest US Champions of all time, as, before his Crow days, he was a surfer dude with attitude, and filled with Americana.

The Stinger would not have an easy time gaining the title, tackling with a pre-Stone Cold, Steve Austin, as well as Meng, notoriously one of the toughest men in wrestling.

After his time with the Gold, Sting would move on to the WCW World Championship, but his US Title matches massively elevated the championship.

There's arguably only one man who was able to use the title as a stepping stone to bigger success better, but we'll get to him later...

MVP

Winning the championship in a 2 out of 3 falls match, few could have expected the lengthy reign MVP would have.

Holding the title for 343 days, the Ballin' Superstar fought off all-comers, even his tag partner at the time, Matt Hardy.

Not satisfied with just the US Title, MVP would win the Tag Team Championships with the man yet to be a Woken wonder.

The pair would engage in a series of competitions, including boxing, beer drinking, pizza eating and hoop shooting.

Sensing Hardy getting close to the US gold, Porter assaulted his partner, putting him on the shelf.

However, Hardy would get his revenge, ending the first of 2 reigns MVP would have.

Ric Flair

When most fans hear the name Ric Flair, they think of his incredible, 16 world championship reigns.

And whilst those reigns are of course, impressive, the Nature Boy's 5 reigns as the United States Champion are just as impressive.

To win the gold, Flair defeated the likes of Bobo Brazil, and Greg Valentine, some of the absolute toughest competition at the time.

The United States Championship is known as one of the most prestigious championships in all of wrestling, and having the likes of Flair win the gold, certainly helped build that heritage.

John Cena

Perhaps no other star has become a bigger Superstar, both in WWE and out, than former United States Champion John Cena.

Cena first won the title at WrestleMania 20, defeating the Big Show. From there, Cena would grow on SmackDown, becoming one of the brand's biggest stars.

Holding the title twice more in the year, Cena would become the brand's most popular face, at a time where the brand was dominated by WWE Champion JBL.

After moving on to the WWE Title, Cena would become one of the company's biggest stars.

Ever a competitor, Cena would return to the US Title in 2015, defeating Rusev and holding the incredible US Title Open Challenge, allowing stars such as Neville, Stardust, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn to shine.