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WWE World Titles – 2010

Welcome to my blog. This is the start of a new series, where I’ll be looking back at the history of WWE World Titles (not counting ECW) and ranking all the World Title reigns since the “Modern Era”. The “Modern Era” goes all the way back to the birth of Hulkamania in 1984, and that’s where we’ll end. Today we look back at the year 2010, and we’ll continue to go back from here.

In front of my star ratings for the matches, you’ll either see “HR”, “R” or “RTA”. “HR” means the match is highly recommended ; “R” means the match is recommended ; “RTA” means recommendation to avoid. In case nothing appears, the match is watchable but nothing spectacular.

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP

Sheamus (December 13, 2009 – February 21, 2010)

  • Televised matches: 10

  • Record: 8-2

My match ratings:

  • Sheamus def. John Cena(c) in a Tables Match – TLC 2009 (***)

  • Sheamus(c) def. Randy Orton – Royal Rumble 2010 (**1/2)

  • John Cena def. Sheamus(c), Triple H, Randy Orton, Kofi Kingston and Ted DiBiase in an Elimination Chamber Match – Elimination Chamber 2010 (***1/2) *R*

Don’t let that win/loss record fool you. He retained the gold exactly zero times by pin or submission throughout his entire seventy days as WWE Champion, winning the belt in a fluke win against John Cena in a Tables Match at TLC. Out of his eight wins as champion, three were by DQ and three were in undercard matches against Evan Bourne (twice) and MVP. Finally, in the Elimination Chamber Match, he wasn’t even in the final two. He was pinned by Triple H, who then lost to John Cena in the end. Terrible reign.

Rating: 1/10

John Cena (February 21, 2010)

  • Televised matches: 2

  • Record: 1-1

My match ratings:

  • John Cena def. Sheamus(c), Triple H, Randy Orton, Kofi Kingston and Ted DiBiase in an Elimination Chamber Match – Elimination Chamber 2010 (***1/2) *R*

  • Batista def. John Cena(c) – Elimination Chamber 2010 (N/R)

Cena won Sheamus’ title in the Elimination Chamber Match, only to then lose it to Batista immediately afterwards. That happened because Batista helped Vince McMahon in his feud with Bret Hart, so Vince basically gave Batista a Money in the Bank-like opportunity at any title. This was the start of the build to their match at WrestleMania XXVI.

Rating: -/10

Batista (February 21, 2010 – March 28, 2010)

  • Televised matches: 5

  • Record: 3-2

My match ratings:

  • Batista def. John Cena(c) – Elimination Chamber 2010 (N/R)

  • John Cena def. Batista(c) – WrestleMania XXVI (***3/4) *R*

I only have one bad thing to say about this reign: it was way too short! After turning heel in late 2009 and winning the WWE Championship from John Cena, Batista completely reinvented himself with some of the best character work in his entire career. His promos were incredible, his heel work was fantastic and he was easily the coolest and most exciting wrestling persona to watch every week. He obviously lost the title back to Cena in a proper match at WrestleMania, in a match made much more interesting thanks to Dave’s awesome character work. It lasted a month, but what a month it was!

Rating: 8/10

John Cena (March 28, 2010 – June 20, 2010)

  • Televised matches: 14

  • Record: 7-4 (3 draws)

My match ratings:

  • John Cena def. Batista(c) – WrestleMania XXVI (***3/4) *R*

  • John Cena(c) def. Batista in a Last Man Standing Match – Extreme Rules 2010 (****1/4) *HR*

  • John Cena(c) def. Batista in an I Quit Match – Over the Limit 2010 (***1/2) *R*

  • Sheamus def. John Cena(c), Edge and Randy Orton – Fatal 4 Way 2010 (***)

After winning the title at WrestleMania from Batista, Cena and Dave continued to feud in what would be Batista’s last storyline before leaving WWE. Their Last Man Standing Match at Extreme Rules was great despite the lame finish, while the I Quit Match at Over the Limit was also fun despite being super predictable. Once Batista left, Cena immediately started the feud with Nexus and lost the title to Sheamus at Fatal 4 Way due to Nexus shenanigans. It was an enjoyable reign, especially during the Batista feud.

Rating: 6/10

Sheamus (June 20, 2010 – September 19, 2010)

  • Televised matches: 12

  • Record: 8-3 (1 draw)

My match ratings:

  • Sheamus def. John Cena(c), Edge and Randy Orton – Fatal 4 Way 2010 (***)

  • Sheamus(c) def. John Cena in a Steel Cage Match – Money in the Bank 2010 (***1/4)

  • Randy Orton def. Sheamus(c) by DQ – SummerSlam 2010 (**) *RTA*

  • Randy Orton def. Sheamus(c), John Cena, Wade Barrett, Edge and Chris Jericho – Night of Champions 2010 (***1/4)

Four months after losing his first WWE Title, Sheamus was already WWE Champion for the second time. Much like in his first reign, though, Sheamus was never in top feuds despite holding the top title. He spent his entire three month reign without retaining the title by pin or submission once, escaping a Steel Cage Match with Cena at Money in the Bank due to The Nexus, losing to Randy Orton by DQ at SummerSlam before losing the gold to Orton in a Six Pack Challenge at the next PPV. Another awful reign for poor Sheamus, who lost all his heat and went on a long losing streak after winning the King of the Ring. At least he got to successfully defend the gold via pin once during this reign, in that classic match against Zack Ryder!

Rating: 2/10

Randy Orton (September 19, 2010 – November 22, 2010)

  • Televised matches: 14

  • Record: 9-4 (1 draw)

My match ratings:

  • Randy Orton def. Sheamus(c), John Cena, Wade Barrett, Edge and Chris Jericho – Night of Champions 2010 (***1/4)

  • Randy Orton(c) def. Sheamus in a HIAC Match – Hell in a Cell 2010 (**3/4)

  • Wade Barrett def. Randy Orton(c) by DQ – Bragging Rights 2010 (*) *RTA*

  • Randy Orton(c) def. Wade Barrett – Survivor Series 2010 (**)

  • The Miz def. Randy Orton(c) in a MITB cash-in – RAW Nov. 22 2010 (N/R)

Much like Sheamus before him, Randy Orton was the WWE Champion but he was not the top guy or in the top storyline in the company, or even in his own brand. In fact, he was the third wheel in the Cena vs. Barrett rivalry throughout most of this reign. After winning the gold from Sheamus and retaining against him in one of the most forgettable Hell in a Cell Matches ever, Orton jumped right into the middle of said storyline. He retained by DQ against Barrett in a pointless match at Bragging Rights, retained at Survivor Series in the same match John Cena got “fired”, retained against Barrett in another rematch the next night on RAW before losing to The Miz minutes later, who cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase. Another forgettable reign here.

Rating: 2/10

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Chris Jericho (February 21, 2010 – April 2, 2010)

  • Televised matches: 6

  • Record: 4-2

My match ratings:

  • Chris Jericho def. The Undertaker(c), CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, John Morrison and R-Truth in an Elimination Chamber Match – Elimination Chamber 2010 (***3/4) *R*

  • Chris Jericho def. Daniel Bryan – NXT Feb. 23 2010 (***1/2) *R*

  • Chris Jericho(c) def. Edge – WrestleMania XXVI (****) *HR*

  • Jack Swagger def. Chris Jericho(c) in a MITB cash-in – SmackDown April 2 2010 (N/R)

In mid 2009, Chris Jericho & Edge were tag champions until Edge had to leave due to injury. Jericho would go on to win the belts with Big Show and hold them for the rest of the year, while Edge made his shocking return in the Royal Rumble match and won the match. The next month, Jericho took advantage of The Undertaker’s feud with Shawn Michaels, pinning ‘The Deadman’ to win the gold in the Chamber Match after a Superkick by HBK. During Jericho’s last reign as World Champion in WWE, he had a really good match with Daniel Bryan on the first episode of NXT before retaining over rival Edge in a spectacular match at WrestleMania. His reign would come to an end a few days later, though, courtesy of Jack Swagger and the Money in the Bank briefcase. The reign was short, but good while it lasted with a nice storyline and fun matches.

Rating: 6/10

Jack Swagger (April 2, 2010 – June 20, 2010)

  • Televised matches: 17

  • Record: 6-10 (1 draw)

My match ratings:

  • Jack Swagger def. Chris Jericho(c) in a MITB cash-in – SmackDown April 2 2010 (N/R)

  • Jack Swagger(c) def. Randy Orton in an Extreme Rules Match – Extreme Rules 2010 (***)

  • Big Show def. Jack Swagger(c) by DQ – Over the Limit 2010 (DUD) *RTA*

  • Rey Mysterio def. Jack Swagger(c), CM Punk and Big Show – Fatal 4 Way 2010 (**1/2)

Oh lord, this reign. First of all, I think that record speaks for itself. Usually heel champions lose on TV by DQ/count-out to set up future PPV matches, but not in Swagger’s case. We’re talking about pinfall losses in singles matches on TV to opponents such as Randy Orton, The Undertaker and Rey Mysterio, and even undercarders Kofi Kingston and John Morrison. Swagger is a solid wrestler, but this reign was terrible.

Rating: 1/10

Rey Mysterio (June 20, 2010 – July 18, 2010)

  • Televised matches: 4

  • Record: 3-1

My match ratings:

  • Rey Mysterio def. Jack Swagger(c), CM Punk and Big Show – Fatal 4 Way 2010 (**1/2)

  • Rey Mysterio(c) def. Jack Swagger – Money in the Bank 2010 (****) *HR*

  • Kane def. Rey Mysterio(c) in a MITB cash-in – Money in the Bank 2010 (N/R)

After Rey Rey won the title at Fatal 4 Way, he only had it for a month before dropping it. However, there is one interesting match worth checking out from this reign – that is his bout with Jack Swagger at the inaugural Money in the Bank, a fantastic tribute to Eddie Guerrero’s classic encounter with Eddie Guerrero at WrestleMania XX. A few minutes after retaining in said match, Rey would lose the gold to Kane in seconds, who cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase that he had won earlier that night.

Rating: 3/10

Kane (July 18, 2010 – December 19, 2010)

  • Televised matches: 15

  • Record: 9-4 (2 draws)

My match ratings:

  • Kane def. Rey Mysterio(c) in a MITB cash-in – Money in the Bank 2010 (N/R)

  • Kane(c) def. Rey Mysterio – SummerSlam 2010 (**3/4)

  • Kane(c) def. The Undertaker in a No Holds Barred Match – Night of Champions 2010 (**)

  • Kane(c) def. The Undertaker in a HIAC Match – Hell in a Cell 2010 (*) *RTA*

  • Kane(c) def. The Undertaker in a Buried Alive Match – Bragging Rights 2010 (*1/4) *RTA*

  • Kane(c) draw. Edge – Survivor Series 2010 (3/4*) *RTA*

  • Edge def. Kane(c), Rey Mysterio and Alberto Del Rio in a TLC Match – TLC 2010 (****1/4) *HR*

I don’t know what to do with this entry. On one hand, there’s probably no one that deserved a proper World Championship reign than Kane back in 2010. On the other hand, though, I absolutely hated his feud and ridiculously overbooked matches with The Undertaker, full of Paul Bearer and Nexus shenanigans. I was also not a fan of his feud with Edge, where the babyface Edge would kidnap the heel Kane’s father for no reason at all, and their Survivor Series match that ended in a draw couldn’t have been more pointless. However, I loved some of the promos he cut during this reign, as well as the last match of his reign at TLC. At the end of the day, I’m glad Kane got to have a proper reign with the gold.

Rating: 3/10

ALL-TIME CHAMPIONS RANKING

  1. CM Punk (WWE Championship, 20/11/2011 – 27/01/2013) 9

  2. Daniel Bryan (WWE Championship, 13/11/2018 – 07/04/2019) 9

  3. AJ Styles (WWE Championship, 11/09/2016 – 29/01/2017) 9

  4. Randy Orton (World Heavyweight Championship, 06/05/2011 – 17/07/2011) 8

  5. Batista (WWE Championship, 21/02/2010 – 28/03/2010) 8

  6. Brock Lesnar (WWE Championship, 17/08/2014 – 29/03/2015) 7

  7. John Cena (WWE Championship, 07/04/2013 – 18/08/2013) 7

  8. AJ Styles (WWE Championship, 07/11/2017 – 13/11/2018) 7

  9. John Cena (WWE Championship, 28/03/2010 – 20/06/2010) 6

  10. John Cena (WWE Championship, 01/05/2011 – 17/07/2011) 6

  11. Randy Orton (WWE Championship, 18/08/2013 – 15/09/2013) 6

  12. Kevin Owens (WWE Universal Championship, 29/08/2016- 05/03/2017) 6

  13. Chris Jericho (World Heavyweight Championship, 21/02/2010 – 02/04/2010) 6

  14. Alberto Del Rio (World Heavyweight Championship, 16/06/2013 – 27/10/2013) 6

  15. Seth Rollins (WWE Championship, 29/03/2015 – 04/11/2015) 6

  16. Roman Reigns (WWE Championship, 03/04/2016 – 19/06/2016) 6

  17. Edge (World Heavyweight Championship, 19/12/2010 – 18/02/2011) 5

  18. The Rock (WWE Championship, 27/01/2013 – 07/04/2013) 5

  19. CM Punk (WWE Championship, 17/07/2011 – 14/08/2011) 5

  20. Edge (World Heavyweight Championship, 18/02/2011 – 15/04/2011) 5

  21. Brock Lesnar (Universal Championship, 02/11/2018 – 07/04/2019) 5

  22. Randy Orton (WWE Championship, 27/10/2013 – 06/04/2014) 5

  23. Daniel Bryan (WWE Championship, 06/04/2014 – 09/06/2014) 5

  24. Christian (World Heavyweight Championship, 17/07/2011 – 14/08/2011) 5

  25. Randy Orton (World Heavyweight Championship, 14/08/2011 – 18/09/2011) 5

  26. Seth Rollins (Universal Championship, 11/08/2019 – 31/10/2019) 5

  27. John Cena (WWE Championship, 29/01/2017 – 12/02/2017) 5

  28. Sheamus (World Heavyweight Championship, 01/04/2012 – 28/10/2012) 4

  29. Mark Henry (World Heavyweight Championship, 18/09/2011 – 18/12/2011) 4

  30. John Cena (WWE Championship, 29/06/2014 – 17/08/2014) 4

  31. Dean Ambrose (WWE Championship, 19/06/2016 – 11/09/2016) 4

  32. Alberto Del Rio (WWE Championship, 02/10/2011 – 20/11/2011) 4

  33. Kofi Kingston (WWE Championship, 07/04/2019 – 04/10/2019) 4

  34. Alberto Del Rio (World Heavyweight Championship, 11/01/2013 – 08/04/2013) 4

  35. Seth Rollins (Universal Championship, 07/04/2019 – 14/07/2019) 4

  36. Brock Lesnar (Universal Championship, 14/07/2019 – 11/08/2019) 3

  37. Brock Lesnar (Universal Championship, 02/04/2017 – 19/08/2018) 3

  38. Triple H (WWE Championship, 24/01/2016 – 03/04/2016) 3

  39. Christian (World Heavyweight Championship, 01/05/2011 – 06/05/2011) 3

  40. Alberto Del Rio (WWE Championship, 14/08/2011 – 18/09/2011) 3

  41. Kane (World Heavyweight Championship, 18/07/2010 – 19/12/2010) 3

  42. Rey Mysterio (World Heavyweight Championship, 20/06/2010 – 18/07/2010) 3

  43. John Cena (World Heavyweight Championship, 27/10/2013 – 15/12/2013) 3

  44. Big Show (World Heavyweight Championship, 28/10/2012 – 11/01/2013) 3

  45. John Cena (WWE Championship, 25/07/2011 – 14/08/2011) 3

  46. The Miz (WWE Championship, 22/11/2010 – 01/05/2011) 3

  47. Roman Reigns (Universal Championship, 19/08/2018 – 22/10/2018) 3

  48. Jinder Mahal (WWE Championship, 21/05/2017 – 07/11/2017) 3

  49. Bray Wyatt (WWE Championship, 12/02/2017 – 02/04/2017) 3

  50. John Cena (WWE Championship, 18/09/2011 – 02/10/2011) 2

  51. Roman Reigns (WWE Championship, 14/12/2015 – 24/01/2016) 2

  52. Goldberg (Universal Championship, 05/03/2017 – 02/04/2017) 2

  53. Dolph Ziggler (World Heavyweight Championship, 08/04/2013 – 16/06/2013) 2

  54. Daniel Bryan (World Heavyweight Championship, 18/12/2011 – 01/04/2012) 2

  55. Sheamus (WWE Championship, 22/11/2015 – 14/12/2015) 2

  56. Randy Orton (WWE Championship, 19/09/2010 – 22/11/2010) 2

  57. Sheamus (WWE Championship, 20/06/2010 – 19/09/2010) 2

  58. Randy Orton (WWE Championship, 02/04/2017 – 21/05/2017) 1

  59. Sheamus (WWE Championship, 13/12/2009 – 21/02/2010) 1

  60. Jack Swagger (World Heavyweight Championship, 02/04/2010 – 20/06/2010) 1

  61. Daniel Bryan (WWE Championship, 18/08/2013) –

  62. Seth Rollins (WWE Championship, 19/06/2016) –

  63. John Cena (WWE Championship, 21/02/2010) –

  64. Rey Mysterio (WWE Championship, 25/07/2011) –

  65. Roman Reigns (WWE Championship, 22/11/2015) –

  66. Randy Orton (World Heavyweight Championship, 15/12/2013) –

  67. Finn Bálor (WWE Universal Championship, 21/08/2016 – 22/08/2016) –

  68. Daniel Bryan (WWE Championship, 15/09/2013 – 16/09/2013) –

  69. Dolph Ziggler (World Heavyweight Championship, 18/02/2011) –

  70. Big Show (World Heavyweight Championship, 18/12/2011) –

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