Top 5 best ECW World Heavyweight Champions of all time

4) Sandman: 5-Time ECW World Heavyweight Champion

Sandman is one of the most legendary characters in ECW history. The beer-drinking, cane swinging star gained popularity for his ruthless style and iconic entrance to Enter Sandman by Metallica. He was introduced in Eastern Championship Wrestling where he defeated Don Muraco to become the fourth man to win the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.

His second reign with the ECW World Heavyweight Championship came in Extreme Championship Wrestling after Shane Douglas introduced the renamed title. He was managed by Woman, who double-crossed Douglas to help Sandman win the gold. This reign saw famous rivalries with Cactus Jack and Terry Funk.

Sandman lost the ECW World Heavyweight Championship to Mikey Whipwreck in a ladder match but soon won it back in a three-way dance against Whipwreck and Steve Austin. This third reign featured one of the most iconic feuds in ECW history with Raven. He traded the title with his rival at the end of 1996 and dominated the main event scene.

Sandman was a consistent mainstay at the top of the card for years. However, he wouldn't win the ECW World Heavyweight Championship again until the final pay-per-view, Guilty As Charged 2001, when Sandman defeated Steve Corino. This reign didn't last more than ten minutes though. Rhino beat Sandman to win the title immediately after.

Sandman is a name synonymous with Extreme Championship Wrestling. His ECW Title reigns had the best rivalries in company history and the greatest matches as well. He will forever be connected to the legacy of ECW, and a lot of it is down to his runs with the top prize.