Top 10 wrestlers with most WWE World Championships in history

These superstars are among the most prominent names ever competing in professional wrestling.

Wrestling is a highly competitive sport; capturing a world championship in any major wrestling company is every wrestler's ultimate objective. 

The World Championship is the most prestigious belt in WWE, with a long and illustrious history dating back to the 1960s. Many wrestlers have held this championship over the years, but only a few have achieved it many times. 

In this article, we will look at the top WWE Superstars and Hall of Famers who have held the most world championships in history, combining all titles held as recognized by the Stamford-based company.

10. Harley Race - 8 times:

Harley Race was a legendary professional wrestler who won eight world titles throughout the course of his career. He began wrestling in the 1960s and rapidly became one of the industry's top stars. 

Race earned his first world title in 1973 and went on to win seven NWA World Heavyweight Championships and one WCW World Heavyweight Championship. 

"Mad Dog" was recognized for his technical wrestling ability, toughness, and willingness to risk his life for the sport he loved. Race died in 2019, yet he is still remembered in the wrestling community.

9. The Rock - 10 times

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is a part-time professional wrestler and actor who has won ten WWE World Championships. He began his wrestling career in 1996 and immediately became one of the industry's biggest performers. The Rock earned his first world championship in 1998 and went on to win a total of ten championships, including eight WWE championships and two WCW World Championships. 

The Great One was noted for his electric attitude, catchphrases like "Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?" and iconic moves like The Rock Bottom and People's Elbow. The Rock has since stepped away from wrestling and has become one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

8. Sting - 10 times

Sting, a WCW legend and Hall of Famer, is a 10-time world champion in wrestling history. Sting earned his first world championship in 1990 and went on to win a total of ten titles, including six WCW World Heavyweight Championships, two NWA World Heavyweight Championships, and two TNA World Heavyweight Championships. 

He was noted for his colourful and dynamic attitude, distinctive moves like the Scorpion Deathlock and Scorpion Death Drop, and his ability to captivate audiences.

7. Brock Lesnar - 10 times

Brock Lesnar is a professional wrestler and mixed martial artist who has won the WWE World Championship ten times. He began his wrestling career in 2000 and immediately climbed to prominence as an industry-leading force. 

By defeating The Rock at Summerslam 2002, The Beast Incarnate earned his first world championship and is the WWE's youngest champion (25) to this day. He went on to win ten championships in all, including five WWE Championships, three Universal Championships, and two World Heavyweight Championships. 

Lesnar is well-known for his extraordinary athleticism, raw power, and signature technique, the F-5. The Beast was the first WWE Superstar to break The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at Wrestlemania 30.

6. Edge - 11 times

Edge is a WWE Hall of Famer and 11-time World Champion. He won his first world championship in 2006 and went on to win 11 championships in total, including four WWE Championships and seven World Heavyweight Championships. 

The Rated-R Superstar is well-known for his agility, personality, and signature move, the Spear. He resigned from in-ring action in 2011 due to injury but made an unexpected comeback at Royal Rumble 2020. Since then, the WWE legend has been involved in feuds with Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, The Miz, and most recently, The Judgement Day faction.

5. Hulk Hogan - 12 times

Hulk Hogan is a WWE Hall of Famer and a 12-time world champion in wrestling history. He began his wrestling career in the 1970s and rose to global notoriety in the 1980s as one of the industry's biggest performers. 

Hogan earned his first world title in 1983 and went on to win a total of 12 titles, including six WWE championships and six WCW World Heavyweight Championships. 

The Hulkster was famous for his outsized personality, unique moves like the Big Boot and Leg Drop, and ability to fascinate audiences.

4. Randy Orton - 14 times

Randy Orton is a 14-time WWE world champion. He began his wrestling career in 2000 and rose to prominence as a member of the Evolution stable during the 2000s. He won his first world championship in 2004 and went on to win a total of 14 titles, including nine WWE championships and five World Heavyweight Championships. 

The Viper is noted for his aggressive and unpredictable personality, technical wrestling abilities, and most dangerous three-letter finisher, the RKO.

Orton hasn't been seen on WWE TV in nearly a year after being eliminated by The Bloodline in May 2022. The former 14-time World Champion has now had back surgery, and the most recent updates on his ring future have been depressing.

3. Triple H - 14 times

Paul Michael Levesque, better known as Triple H, is a retired professional wrestler and 14-time WWE world champion. He debuted his wrestling career in 1992 and rose to prominence in the late 1990s as one of the members of the heel-rebel group D-Generation X. He won his first world championship in 1999 and went on to win a total of 14 titles, including nine WWE Championships and five World Heavyweight Championships. 

The Game is noted for his tough-guy character, technical wrestling ability, and signature move, the Pedigree. He retired from in-ring competition in 2022 but remained a key presence in the WWE as Chief Content Officer.

2. John Cena - 16 times

John Cena is a professional wrestler and actor who is also a 16-time WWE world champion, matching him with Ric Flair for the most world championships won. Cena began his wrestling career in 1999 and climbed to prominence in the 2000s, becoming one of the WWE's most recognizable faces.

He won his first world championship in 2005 and went on to win a total of 16 championships, including 13 WWE Championships and three World Heavyweight Championships. Cena is noted for his muscular body, unique manoeuvres, and magnetic demeanour, and he is still one of the most popular figures in wrestling history.

1. Ric Flair - 16 times

Hall of Famer Ric Flair is a retired professional wrestler and a 16-time WWE world champion, a record he holds with John Cena. Flair began his career in 1972 and became the face of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in the 1980s, where he won several world championships. 

The Nature Boy maintained his WWE domination, capturing eight championships throughout his time with the promotion. Flair's career was defined by his flashy attitude, technical wrestling abilities, and catchphrase "Woo!" He retired in 2012, yet his legacy lives on and inspires future generations of wrestlers.