Professional wrestling has long been a riveting sight for many sports fans worldwide. This kind of entertainment never fails to keep us on the tip of our seats, from its daring moves to its gripping plots. The World Heavyweight Championship title is one of the most desired honors in this sport. Do you know, however, who WWE superstar was the last to hold this esteemed title before it was combined with another championship? Join us as we go down memory lane and learn some fascinating details about this significant day in WWE history!
WWE athletes who have won the title
Many wrestlers have had the chance to hold the title of World Heavyweight Champion during the course of the WWE’s existence. People like Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, and Stone Cold Steve Austin have held this important title. After a lengthy break, WWE returned to the World Heavyweight Championship as one of its primary championships in 2002. This led to a new generation of champions, including Triple H, Randy Orton, and Rey Mysterio Jr., who cemented their places in WWE history by winning the prized title.
Female superstars like Trish Stratus and Lita also had their fair share of triumphs in the ring. Thus it wasn’t simply male wrestlers who could carry this championship. They demonstrated that, when it came to wrestling championship competitions, gender was not a factor. During their reigns, these champions brought something unique to the table; some were the crowd’s favorites, while others expertly played villains! But each champion has made a lasting impression on wrestling fans all around the globe, regardless of the part they played or the length of time they held onto their titles until being unseated by rivals in tense ring confrontations!
bringing together all WWE Championships
The WWE decided to combine the World Heavyweight Championship with the WWE Championship in 2013, which was a significant move. After receiving years of criticism from fans who believed that holding two top championships was redundant and diminished the status of each belt, this action finally took place. At TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, John Cena, who had the WWE Championship, and Randy Orton, who held the World Heavyweight Championship, squared off in a unification contest. The victor would have the title of inaugural Unified Champion.
The last wrestler to hold both belts independently before they were combined into one was Randy Orton, who triumphed after a fierce contest. In the main event of WrestleMania XXX, he defended his new title against other prominent athletes, including Daniel Bryan and Batista. Since then, WWE has only ever had one global title, now known simply as “the WWE Championship.” This action increased the importance of winning it and helped to establish its standing as THE top championship in wrestling. In the history of professional wrestling, the unification was a pivotal event that revived the thrill of united championship contests.
The Final WWE Superstar to Be in Possession of the World Heavyweight Title
There was only one World Heavyweight Champion with the merger of the WWE Championships. Many illustrious wrestlers, including Triple H, John Cena, Edge, and Batista, held this championship in the past. Before it was combined with the WWE Championship, just one wrestler held this illustrious championship. Alberto Del Rio was the last member of the WWE to hold the World Heavyweight Championship before it was combined with the WWE Championship. At SummerSlam 2011, he won this title by beating CM Punk in a contest that included Kevin Nash’s intervention.
After successfully defending his championship against competitors like John Cena, Rey Mysterio, and Big Show for many months, Del Rio lost it to The Big Show at Survivor Series in November 2012. Del Rio was the last wrestler to occupy such a prestigious position, even if his term as champion was brief compared to other sports legends.
Conclusion
One of the most significant championships in WWE history was the World Heavyweight Championship. Some of the greatest wrestlers to ever enter a ring have held it, including modern-day stars like Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns and icons like Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan. For many fans, the merger of this championship with the WWE Championship signaled the end of an era. But it also marked a fresh start and prepared the ground for potentially more giant brawls amongst WWE’s top performers.
Randy Orton last held the World Heavyweight Championship until it was combined with the WWE Championship at TLC 2013,, as we’ve mentioned in this article. While Orton has since gone on to have further professional success, he will consistently be recognized as one of WWE’s greatest champions who contributed to the development of wrestling history. We hope you liked learning about this intriguing era in the history of wrestling!