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The WWE United States Championship has been a part of pro-wrestling circles since 1975 when the title was first won by Harley Race. At the time, the United States Championship was part of Jim Crockett promotions and the NWA.
The United States Championship then went on to to be defended at Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling, before landing in WWE in 2001. The championship was initially unified before being reactivated in 2003 exclusively for SmackDown. Eddie Guerrero became the first champion following its return.
The legacy of the United States Championship continues with names such as John Cena, AJ Styles, Randy Orton and Chris Jericho holding the title in more recent times. As of this writing, the championship is exclusive to the Monday Night RAW roster.
Let's now take a look at the five longest-reigning United States Champions in history.
#5 Nikita Koloff held the United States Championship for 328 days
Nikita Koloff won the United States Championship in 1986 at a house show in Charlotte, N.C., defeating Magnum T.A. Koloff, who won a Best of Seven Series to be crowned the new champion, after the title became vacant.
"The Russian Nightmare" held onto the championship for 328 days, a record-breaking reign under Jim Crockett promotions. At the time, the Koloff-Magnum T.A. feud was considered one of the biggest feuds in the history of Jim Crockett promotions.
After holding onto the championship for nearly a year, Nikita Koloff faced Lex Luger in a Steel Cage match at The Great American Bash, in which Luger defeated Koloff to become the new champion. A historical run had ended in Greensboro, N.C., in the same state it began for Koloff.
Following the run, Nikita Koloff became a face, leaving behind his evil Russian gimmick. In fact, he came close to winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Ric Flair. He was embroiled in a feud with The Four Horseman along with Dusty Rhodes, JJ Dillon and Ole Anderson.
Nikita Koloff has now retired after hanging up his boots in 1992 due to an injury suffered in a match against Big Van Vader. Koloff has continued to make the odd appearance at wrestling shows and wrestling conventions over the years.
#4 Montel Vontavious Porter was United States Champion for 343 days
Back in the days when MVP used to wrestle dressed as a Power Ranger, he had a lucrative run as United States Champion on SmackDown. MVP became the United States Champion at the Judgment Day pay-per-view in 2007, defeating Chris Benoit in a two-out-of-three falls match.
MVP had joined the SmackDown roster in 2005, and was treated like big deal. Teddy Long, who was the General Manager of SmackDown at the time, offered MVP big money to join the brand. One of his first feuds was with Kane in which he ended up being burned in an Inferno Match.
He finally turned a corner, becoming United States Champion and held the gold for 343 days, before losing the championship to Matt Hardy at the Backlash pay-per-view in 2008.
MVP spoke with IGN just after winning his first United States Championship in 2007:
I laugh when they say Power Ranger because I don't hear anyone call Jushin "Thunder" Liger a Power Ranger. For me, to find myself in a feud with Chris Benoit and ultimately to beat him for the United States title, that defines who I am. At this point in my career, if I can beat Chris Benoit for the United States title, there's nobody who I can't beat." MVP said (h/t IGN)
#3 Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) was United States Champion for 351 days
Former Shield member Dean Ambrose captured the United States Championship in 2013 at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view. He defeated Kofi Kingston to capture the title and went on the most incredible run as United States Champion the modern era has seen.
Ambrose was still a part of The Shield at the time of winning gold. He successfully defended the championship against superstars such as Rob Van Dam, Dolph Ziggler, and Big E.
The Authority placed Dean Ambrose in a Battle Royal with his United States Championship on the line. Ambrose lasted until the very end, only to be eliminated by Sheamus, ending Ambrose's reign.
Ambrose spoke to Inland Empire Weekly during his reign as United States Champion:
"That's one of those things you don't really realize how cool it is until you hold that belt in your hands for the first time and you hear the crowd. Now for me the biggest part of it is elevating the belt. I don't believe a championship makes a wrestler, rather a wrestler makes a champion." Dean Ambrose said (h/t Wrestlezone)
#2 Rick Rude held the United States Championship for 378 days
The 'Ravshing' one Rick Rude made headlines winning the United States Championship at World Championship Wrestling's Clash of Champions in 1991. With Paul E Danerously (Paul Heyman) by his side, he defeated Sting to become the champion.
It was a star-studded card that night that also included names like Steve Austin, Brian Pillman and Lex Luger retaining their respective titles. Fans in Savannah, GA were overjoyed with the action they witnessed.
Following his title victory, he went on to face some of the biggest names in the industry as United States Champion, including Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat, whilst being a part of The Dangerous Alliance under the reigning terror of Paul Heyman.
Unfortunately, Rude's reign as United States Champion didn't end because he lost the championship, it ended due to an injury that forced him to relinquish the title. A serious neck injury was the cause which brought Rude's 14-month reign to an abrupt end.
Rick Rude sadly passed away in 1999, and Eric Bischoff described what Rude was like and his relationship with him on his 83 Weeks Podcast:
"You know, there were ups and downs. There were some challenging moments. For the most part we got along great. We came from kind of the same area, had a lot of mutual friends growing up, even before I got into wrestling and so forth. I’ve talked about him in the past. Rick was a really, really interesting dude." Eric Bischoff said (h/t 411mania.com)
#1 Lex Luger was United States Champion for 523 days
The Lex Express carried the United States Championship for a whopping 523 days from May 22, 1989, to October 27, 1990. To this day, he is the longest-reigning United States Champion in the history of the championship. The match itself aired on June 10th at NWA World Wide Wrestling with Luger defeating Michael Hayes.
Luger's reign ended at WCW's Halloween Havoc pay-per-view in 1990. Luger would win the title once again, before embarking on a run as WCW World Heavyweight Champion.
Luger told Sportskeeda in December 2018 about his career:
"I look back at my fifteen-year career with great memories. I worked with probably almost virtually every top performer of my era, and I don't look at what I didn't accomplish."
The legendary Lex Luger's reign remains unmatched and is unlikely to be replicated any time soon. As of this writing, Sheamus has just recently passed one hundred days as United States Champion. Could he be the one to break the record for the longest reign? Time will tell, but for now, the honor belongs to the Lex Express.
