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The WWE Hardcore Championship was introduced on November 2, 1998. Extreme Championship Wrestling was the pioneer of hardcore wrestling in the '90s and paved the way for WWE to bring that style to the mainstream audience.
Eventually, the championship had a 24/7 rule, meaning it could be won anytime, anywhere as long as a referee was present. This led to several chaotic and comedic moments in WWE. The title was retired in 2002 but was briefly brought back for a storyline involving Edge and Mick Foley in 2006.
Looking back at its four-year run, let's take a look at the top five WWE Hardcore Champions in history.
#5 Big Boss Man was the longest-reigning WWE Hardcore Champion
The Big Boss Man was a powerhouse in WWE during the Attitude Era. Before this, he had wrestled all over the world for promotions such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling.
Boss Man re-signed with Vince McMahon's company in 1998 and was Vince's bodyguard at first. Eventually, he transitioned into becoming a hardcore wrestler fighting for the Hardcore Championship.
Wearing his tactical SWAT-style wrestling gear, his first reign as Hardcore Champion came on Monday Night RAW after winning a Ladder Match. He went on to have four title reigns in total, with his fourth being his longest, lasting 97 days.
His most memorable run with the title came during his feud with Al Snow, which also involved Snow's pet chihuahua. The feud peaked at SummerSlam 1999 where they brawled all over the arena, with Al Snow taking the title from Boss Man by pinning him on a pool table.
There was one point in the feud that Big Boss Man almost forced Al Snow to eat his chihuahua. Al Snow told Wrestling Inc. that it was inspired by a real-life incident involving WWE Hall of Famer Mr. Fuji:
"That was inspired by Mr. Fuji, who had in real life apparently did that to a neighbor’s dog he didn’t like. Art imitates life," Al Snow said. (h/t TPWW)
Sadly, Big Boss Man passed away in 2004. The Hall of Famer will forever be known as the longest-reigning Hardcore Champion in WWE history.
#4 Crash Holly was a 22-time WWE Hardcore Champion
Crash Holly competed in WWE's hardcore division under the 24/7 rule. Having 22-reigns as the Hardcore Champion meant that Crash had to do a lot of hiding and running to make sure he kept hold of the gold.
He lost and won back the championship in locations such as his hotel room, a circus, and even an airport. He once lost the title to Gerald Brisco while he was asleep backstage.
The kayfabe cousin of Harcore Holly always found a way to get the Hardcore Championship back. His runs could be considered similar to R-Truth's 24/7 Championship runs today. Crash Holly delivered some of the most outlandish and memorable moments during the Attitude Era.
He sadly passed away in November 2003, but his status as a hardcore icon during the Attitude Era will be etched in history. If you ask a wrestling fan about the WWE Hardcore Championship, Crash Holly's name will surely come up.
#3 Steve Blackman held the WWE Hardcore Championship for a combined 172 days
WWE's dangerous mixed-martial-arts superstar Steve Blackman slotted into the hardcore division perfectly. The Lethal Weapon was a popular character during the Attitude Era, and he knew how to overcome surprise attacks.
His mixed-martial-arts skills and experience were used throughout his time performing in hardcore matches. One of his most memorable moments came at SummerSlam 2000, where he pushed Shane McMahon off the top of the stage. Blackman then performed an elbow drop on McMahon to win the Hardcore Championship.
Overall, Blackman held the Hardcore Championship six times, having a combined reign of 172 days. This was the most of any other WWE Superstar.
His days in the ring are currently over after dishing out plenty of punishment over the years in WWE. He will be remembered as one of WWE's most dangerous superstars ever.
#2 Raven won the WWE Hardcore Championship 27 times
If anyone was going to make an impact in WWE's hardcore division, then it was going to be the former ECW Champion Raven. Raven was one of the greatest performers and creative minds Extreme Championship Wrestling ever had.
During Raven's time with WWE, his main focus was in the hardcore division. He captured the Hardcore Championship 27-times and had the most Harcore Title reigns.
A notable mention goes to Steven Richards, the 21-time Hardcore Champion. Richards claimed Raven took some of his reigns in a funny story with Gary Cassidy:
"I'll tell you a funny story connected to that. The reason there's so much confusion over the reigns - I've technically held it 22 times. Raven had held it 21 times. Raven went to the website, magazine, whatever media people there were and had that flipped. He would relentlessly bother them until it was changed. At the end of the interview, as good as a guy he is, [they would say] just give him what he wants and tell him to shut up." Steven Richards said. (h/t Fightful)
Either way, it doesn't take anything away from Raven being the Hardcore Champion with the most reigns in history.
#1 Mick Foley was the first-ever WWE Hardcore Champion
Hardcore legend Mick Foley became the first-ever WWE Hardcore Champion. Under his Mankind gimmick, Foley was awarded the championship by the promotion's chairman Vince McMahon. The title was initially introduced as a nod to Foley's history of hardcore wrestling around the world.
Despite only having one reign as Hardcore Champion, he goes down as the Hardcore Legend. Foley competed in hardcore and deathmatches in Japan and also had a stint with Extreme Championship Wrestling.
Following its retirement, Hardcore Championship made two appearances in storylines, all involving Foley. The first was in June 2003, when Stone Cold Steve Austin awarded Mick the title for his contributions to hardcore wrestling.
The second was during Foley's feud with Edge, where they eventually became co-holders of the title, leading into a match with Terry Funk and Tommy Dreamer at the ECW One Night Stand 2006. The title was taken out of the storyline following the pay-per-view.
Mick Foley will forever be a hardcore legend and one of the pioneers that brought hardcore wrestling to the mainstream.
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