View source for List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions

{{short description|Listing of professional wrestling champions for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship}}
[[Image:DDPChampBelt.jpg|thumb|300px|Three-time champion [[Diamond Dallas Page]] holding the [[Big Gold Belt]] upside down, which represented the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in 1991 and 1994–2001]]
The '''list of WCW  World Heavyweight Champions''' is a chronological list of wrestlers that have held the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] by [[ring name]].

The WCW World Heavyweight Championship was a [[professional wrestling]] [[Professional wrestling championship#World championships|world heavyweight championship]] and its lineage began when [[Ted Turner]] purchased [[Jim Crockett Promotions]] (JCP), which used the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA) alliance name. Turner's organization was renamed [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) and split from the NWA in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|title=WCW Wrestling History|work=Wrestling Information Archive|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wcw/wcwhist.htm|access-date=2007-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010022633/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wcw/wcwhist.htm|archive-date=2007-10-10}}</ref>

The WCW World Heavyweight Championship is the original world title of WCW and it remained as such until March 2001, when WCW was purchased by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now known as [[WWE]]) and the championship was defended as the WCW Championship as part of the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] storyline, with the WCW initials being dropped from the title's name in November 2001. In December 2001, the renamed World Championship was unified with the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] to create the Undisputed WWF Championship.

The championship was generally contested in [[professional wrestling match types|professional wrestling matches]], in which participants execute [[Screenplay|scripted]] finishes rather than contend in [[Competition#Sports|direct competition]]. There have been a total of 22 recognized champions who have had a combined 62 official reigns, with [[Ric Flair]] holding the most at eight (but WWE does not recognize the title being vacated after the [[Spring Stampede (1994)|1994 Spring Stampede]] match, although WCW did recognize this). At 51, Flair was also the oldest champion when he won it in May 2000, while [[Big Show|The Giant]] was the youngest when he won it in October 1995 at 23. The longest reigning champion was [[Hulk Hogan]], who held the title for 469 days, which is the only reign to exceed one year.  The shortest reigning champion was [[Chris Jericho]], who held the title for approximately {{frac|13|1|2}} minutes, since he unified the title with the WWF Championship at [[Vengeance (2001)|Vengeance]].

== Title history ==
=== Names ===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Name<ref name="titles">{{cite web|title=World Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Title|work=Wrestling-Titles.com|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-h.html|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2012-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101043032/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-h.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
!Years<ref name="titles"/>
|-
|WCW World Heavyweight Championship
|January 11, 1991 – March 26, 2001
|-
|WCW Championship
|June 24, 2001 – November 18, 2001
|-
|World Championship
|November 19, 2001 – December 9, 2001
|-
|WCW World Championship
|As listed on WWE.com
|-

|}

=== Reigns ===
{{Professional wrestling title history top|active=no}}
{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 0.5
|type     = promotion
|name     = [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA): [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) 
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number   = 1
|champion = {{sortname|Ric|Flair}}
|reign    = 1
|date     = {{dts|1991|1|11}}
|days     = {{age in days nts|month1=1|day1=11|year1=1991|month2=7|day2=1|year2=1991}}
|location = [[East Rutherford, New Jersey]]
|event    = [[House show]]
|notes    = Defeated [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]. WCW began recognizing Flair as WCW World Heavyweight Champion.<br/>WWE recognizes this reign as an NWA world title reign for Flair's 16 world championships and not a WCW one.
|ref      = <ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 1.5
|type     = vacated
|date     = {{dts|1991|7|1}}
|notes    = [[Ric Flair]] was stripped of the title when his contract was terminated by WCW Executive Vice President [[Jim Herd]] following a contract dispute, and Flair subsequently signed with the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). News of Flair's departure and the vacancy of the WCW World Heavyweight title were announced on the July 6, 1991 edition of [[WCW Saturday Night|WCW ''Saturday Night'']].
|ref      = <ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number   = 2
|champion = {{sortname|Lex|Luger}}
|reign    = 1
|date     = {{dts|1991|7|14}}
|days     = {{age in days nts|month1=7|day1=14|year1=1991|month2=2|day2=29|year2=1992}}
|location = [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]]
|event    = [[The Great American Bash (1991)|The Great American Bash]]
|notes    = Luger was originally the number one contender to face [[Ric Flair]], but following Flair's  WCW departure, Luger defeated [[Barry Windham]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Steel Cage match|steel cage match]] to win the vacant title.<ref>''The Death of WCW'',  R.D. Reynolds, Bryan Alvarez, ECW Press 2004</ref>
|ref      = <ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number   = 3
|champion = {{sortname||Sting|dab=wrestler}}
|reign    = 1
|date     = {{dts|1992|2|29}}
|days     = {{age in days nts|month1=2|day1=29|year1=1992|month2=7|day2=12|year2=1992}}
|location = [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]]
|event    = [[SuperBrawl II]]
|notes    =
|ref      = <ref>{{cite web|title=SuperBrawl II|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#II|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2016-12-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227060038/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#II|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sting's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541107|access-date=2007-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724052703/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541107|archive-date=2008-07-24}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number   = 4
|champion = {{sortname|Big Van|Vader}}
|reign    = 1
|date     = {{dts|1992|7|12}}
|days     = {{age in days nts|month1=7|day1=12|year1=1992|month2=8|day2=2|year2=1992}}
|location = [[Albany, Georgia]]
|event    = [[The Great American Bash (1992)|The Great American Bash]]
|notes    =
|ref      = <ref>{{cite web|title=The Great American Bash 1992|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/gabash.html#92|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2013-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403082959/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/gabash.html#92|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Vader's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541109|access-date=2007-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011033349/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541109|archive-date=2007-10-11}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number   = 5
|champion = {{sortname|Ron|Simmons}}
|reign    = 1
|date     = {{dts|1992|8|2}}
|days     = {{age in days nts|month1=8|day1=2|year1=1992|month2=12|day2=30|year2=1992}}
|location = [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]]
|event    = ''[[WCW Main Event|Main Event]]''
|notes    = Due to injury, [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] was unable to have a rematch with [[Big Van Vader|Vader]], so a raffle was done to take Sting's place as the number one contender. Ron Simmons won the raffle and with this win, WWE recognizes him as the first African-American to win a professional wrestling world championship.<br />Aired on [[Broadcast delay|tape delay]] on August 16, 1992.
|ref      = <ref>{{cite web|title=Ron Simmons' first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411011|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011033252/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411011|archive-date=2007-10-11}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/><ref name=F4W0802>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/day-pro-wrestling-history-ron-simmons-makes-history-winning-wcw-world-title-155221 | title=On this day in pro wrestling history: Ron Simmons makes history by winning WCW World title | date=August 2, 2015 | access-date=February 19, 2017 | first=Brian | last=Hoops | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online | archive-date=January 7, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107174939/https://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/day-pro-wrestling-history-ron-simmons-makes-history-winning-wcw-world-title-155221 | url-status=live }}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number   = 6
|champion = {{sortname|Big Van|Vader}}
|reign    = 2
|date     = {{dts|1992|12|30}}
|days     = {{age in days nts|month1=12|day1=30|year1=1992|month2=3|day2=11|year2=1993}}
|location = [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]]
|event    = [[House show]]
|notes    =
|ref      = <ref name="titles"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Vader's second reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411013|access-date=2007-10-09|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903012741/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number   = 7
|champion = {{sortname||Sting|dab=wrestler}}
|reign    = 2
|date     = {{dts|1993|3|11}}
|days     = {{age in days nts|month1=3|day1=11|year1=1993|month2=3|day2=17|year2=1993}}
|location = [[London]], [[England]]
|event    = [[House show]]
|notes    =
|ref      = <ref name="titles"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Sting's second reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411015|access-date=2007-10-09|archive-date=2007-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014003024/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number   = 8
|champion = {{sortname|Big Van|Vader}}
|reign    = 3
|date     = {{dts|1993|3|17}}
|days     = {{age in days nts|month1=3|day1=17|year1=1993|month2=12|day2=27|year2=1993}}
|location = [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]]
|event    = [[House show]]
|notes    = During this reign in September 1993, WCW conclusively left the NWA and created a subsidiary called WCW International. Ric Flair, who had returned to WCW and won the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]], was recognized as the inaugural [[WCW International World Heavyweight Championship|WCW International World Heavyweight Champion]].
|ref      = <ref name="titles"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Vader's third reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411017|access-date=2007-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009033016/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411017|archive-date=2007-10-09}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}
{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 0.5
|type     = promotion
|name     = [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) 
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number   = 9
|champion = {{sortname|Ric|Flair}}
|reign    = 2
|date     = {{dts|1993|12|27}}
|days     = {{age in days nts|month1=12|day1=27|year1=1993|month2=4|day2=17|year2=1994}}
|location = [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]
|event    = [[Starrcade (1993)|Starrcade: 10th Anniversary]]
|notes    = This was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Luchas de apuestas|title vs. career match]].
|ref      = <ref>{{cite web|title=Starrcade 1993|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#93|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2013-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403091424/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#93|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ric Flair's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411019|access-date=2007-10-09|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903012309/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WCW.com">{{cite web|title=World Heavyweight Champion and WCW/NWA Title History |publisher=WCW.com |url=http://www.wcw.com/2000/superstars/world/ |access-date=October 20, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817233603/http://www.wcw.com/2000/superstars/world/ |archive-date=August 17, 2000 }}</ref><ref name="WWE.com">{{cite web|title=WCW World Championship|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wcwchampionship|access-date=October 20, 2016|archive-date=July 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715203500/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wcwchampionship|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 9.5
|type     = vacated
|date     = {{dts|1994|4|17}}
|location = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]
|event    = [[Spring Stampede (1994)|Spring Stampede]]
|notes    = A title match between [[Ric Flair]] and [[Ricky Steamboat]] ended in a double pin, which resulted in the title being vacated.<br />This vacancy was recognized by WCW, but is not recognized by WWE.
|ref      = <ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number   = 10
|champion = {{sortname|Ric|Flair}}
|reign    = 3
|date     = {{dts|1994|4|21}}
|days     = {{age in days nts|month1=4|day1=21|year1=1994|month2=7|day2=17|year2=1994}}
|location = [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. State)|Georgia]]
|event    = ''[[WCW Saturday Night|Saturday Night]]''
|notes    = Flair defeated [[Ricky Steamboat]] in a rematch for the vacant title.<br />Aired on [[Broadcast delay|tape delay]] on May 14, 1994. During this reign on June 23, 1994, Flair [[Championship unification|unified]] the title with the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship, which was represented then by the "[[Big Gold Belt]]". The belt that Flair won on April 21, 1994 was retired, and the Big Gold Belt once again represented the World Championship.
|ref      = <ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/><ref name="int world hist">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-in-h.html|title='WCW International World Heavyweight Title|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=November 12, 2018|archive-date=April 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427143434/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-in-h.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 11
|champion = {{sortname|Hulk|Hogan}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|1994|7|17}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=7|day1=17|year1=1994|month2=10|day2=29|year2=1995}}
|location = [[Orlando, Florida]]
|event = [[Bash at the Beach (1994)|Bash at the Beach]]
|notes = 
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Bash at the Beach 1994|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#94|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2017-04-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430042543/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#94|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hulk Hogan's first reign |publisher=WWE.com |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411021 |access-date=2007-10-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724125740/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411021 |archive-date=2008-07-24 }}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 12
|champion = {{sortname|The|Giant|Big Show}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|1995|10|29}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=10|day1=29|year1=1995|month2=11|day2=6|year2=1995}}
|location = [[Detroit, Michigan]]
|event = [[Halloween Havoc (1995)|Halloween Havoc]]
|notes =This was a match in which the title could change hands via disqualification due to a contract clause. The Giant was declared winner by disqualification after [[Hulk Hogan]]'s manager, [[Jimmy Hart]], interfered, followed by attacks on Hogan from members of [[The Dungeon of Doom]].
|ref =<ref name="giant1">{{cite web|title=The Giant's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3900446|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903012933/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3900446|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 12.5
|type=vacated
|date = {{dts|1995|11|6}}
|location = [[Jacksonville, Florida]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =[[Big Show|The Giant]] was stripped of the title due to the controversial finish of the [[Halloween Havoc (1995)|Halloween Havoc]] match.
|ref =<ref name="giant1"/><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 13
|champion = {{sortname|Randy|Savage}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|1995|11|26}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=11|day1=26|year1=1995|month2=12|day2=27|year2=1995}}
|location = [[Norfolk, Virginia]]
|event = [[World War 3 (1995)|World War 3]]
|notes =This was the first-ever [[Professional wrestling battle royal#World War 3|World War 3]] match. Savage last eliminated [[George Gray (wrestler)|One Man Gang]] to win the vacant title. 
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=World War 3 1995|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/ww3.html#95|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2008-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222211339/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/ww3.html#95|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Randy Savage's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411023|access-date=2007-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331100446/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411023|archive-date=2008-03-31}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 14
|champion = {{sortname|Ric|Flair}}
|reign = 4
|date = {{dts|1995|12|27}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=12|day1=27|year1=1995|month2=1|day2=22|year2=1996}}
|location = [[Nashville, Tennessee]]
|event = [[Starrcade (1995)|Starrcade: World Cup of Wrestling]]
|notes =
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Starrcade 1995|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#95|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2013-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403091424/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#95|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ric Flair's third recognized reign|publisher=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411025|access-date=2007-10-09|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903012831/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 15
|champion = {{sortname|Randy|Savage}}
|reign = 2
|date = {{dts|1996|1|22}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=1|day1=22|year1=1996|month2=2|day2=11|year2=1996}}
|location = [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Randy Savage's second reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411032|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323110142/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411032|archive-date=2008-03-23}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 16
|champion = {{sortname|Ric|Flair}}
|reign = 5
|date = {{dts|1996|2|11}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=2|day1=11|year1=1996|month2=4|day2=22|year2=1996}}
|location = [[St. Petersburg, Florida]]
|event = [[SuperBrawl VI]]
|notes =This was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Steel cages|steel cage match]].
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=SuperBrawl VI|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#VI|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2016-12-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227060038/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#VI|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ric Flair's fourth recognized reign|publisher=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411034|access-date=2007-10-09|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903012857/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411034|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 17
|champion = {{sortname|The|Giant|Big Show}}
|reign = 2
|date = {{dts|1996|4|22}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=4|day1=22|year1=1996|month2=8|day2=10|year2=1996}}
|location = [[Albany, Georgia]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =Aired on [[Broadcast delay|tape delay]] on April 29, 1996.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=The Giant's second reign|publisher=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411036|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903012902/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411036|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 18
|champion = {{sortname|"Hollywood" Hulk|Hogan|Hulk Hogan}}
|reign = 2
|date = {{dts|1996|8|10}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=8|day1=10|year1=1996|month2=8|day2=4|year2=1997}}
|location = [[Sturgis, South Dakota]]
|event = [[WCW Hog Wild|Hog Wild]]
|notes =First held title as ''Hulk Hogan''. It was often announced as the nWo/WCW World Heavyweight Championship during title defenses, though never officially renamed, while nWo members only referred to it as the nWo World Heavyweight Championship.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Hog Wild 1996|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#96|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2016-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413111225/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#96|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hulk Hogan's second reign|publisher=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411038|access-date=2007-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327020825/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411038|archive-date=2008-03-27}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 19
|champion = {{sortname|Lex|Luger}}
|reign = 2
|date = {{dts|1997|8|4}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=8|day1=4|year1=1997|month2=8|day2=9|year2=1997}}
|location = [[Auburn Hills, Michigan]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Lex Luger's second reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541101|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903012304/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541101|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 20
|champion = {{sortname|Hollywood|Hogan|Hulk Hogan}}
|reign = 3
|date = {{dts|1997|8|9}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=8|day1=9|year1=1997|month2=12|day2=28|year2=1997}}
|location = [[Sturgis, South Dakota]]
|event = [[Road Wild (1997)|Road Wild]]
|notes =
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Road Wild 1997|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#97|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2016-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413111225/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#97|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hulk Hogan's third reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541108|access-date=2007-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107011523/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541108|archive-date=2008-01-07}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 21
|champion = [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]]
|reign = 3
|date = {{dts|1997|12|28}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=12|day1=28|year1=1997|month2=1|day2=8|year2=1998}}
|location = [[Washington, D.C.]]
|event = [[Starrcade (1997)|Starrcade]]
|notes =[[Hulk Hogan|Hogan]] first pinned Sting, but guest referee [[Bret Hart]] accused the first referee, [[Nick Patrick (referee)|Nick Patrick]], of making a fast count and restarted the match. Sting then won by submission.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Sting's third reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411012|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903013847/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Starrcade 1997|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#97|access-date=2008-01-16|archive-date=2013-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403091424/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#97|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Starrcade 1997|work=p.W.w. Everything Wrestling|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wcw/december/1997.htm|access-date=2008-01-16|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191123/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wcw/december/1997.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 21.5
|type=vacated
|date = {{dts|1998|1|8}}
|location = [[Daytona Beach, Florida]]
|event = ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]''
|notes =[[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] was stripped of the title due to the controversy over the finishes of the [[Starrcade (1997)|Starrcade]] match and the rematch which took place the following night.
|ref = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://ddtdigest.com/updates/1998011t.htm|title=WCW Thursday Thunder - Thursday, 01/08/98|publisher=DDT Digest.com|accessdate=January 20, 2022}}</ref><ref name="sting4">{{cite web|title=Sting's fourth reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411016|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011035753/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411016|archive-date=2007-10-11}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 22
|champion = [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]]
|reign = 4
|date = {{dts|1998|2|22}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=2|day1=22|year1=1998|month2=4|day2=19|year2=1998}}
|location = [[Daly City, California]]
|event = [[SuperBrawl VIII]]
|notes =Defeated [[Hulk Hogan|Hollywood Hogan]] in a rematch for the vacant title.
|ref =<ref name="sting4"/><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 23
|champion = {{sortname|Randy|Savage}}
|reign = 3
|date = {{dts|1998|4|19}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=4|day1=19|year1=1998|month2=4|day2=20|year2=1998}}
|location = [[Denver, Colorado]]
|event = [[Spring Stampede (1998)|Spring Stampede]]
|notes =This was a [[no disqualification match]].
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Spring Stampede 1998|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/stampede.html#98|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2014-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216144822/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/stampede.html#98|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Randy Savage's third reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411020|access-date=2007-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219080306/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411020|archive-date=2008-02-19}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 24
|champion = {{sortname|Hollywood|Hogan|Hulk Hogan}}
|reign = 4
|date = {{dts|1998|4|20}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=4|day1=20|year1=1998|month2=7|day2=6|year2=1998}}
|location = [[Colorado Springs, Colorado]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =This was a [[no disqualification match]]. 
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Hulk Hogan's fourth reign |publisher=WWE.com |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411024 |access-date=2007-10-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011035758/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411024 |archive-date=2007-10-11 }}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 25
|champion = {{sort|Goldberg|[[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]]}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|1998|7|6}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=7|day1=6|year1=1998|month2=12|day2=27|year2=1998}}
|location = [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Bill Goldberg's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411027|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011030633/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411027|archive-date=2007-10-11}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 26
|champion = {{sortname|Kevin|Nash}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|1998|12|27}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=12|day1=27|year1=1998|month2=1|day2=4|year2=1999}}
|location = [[Washington, D.C.]]
|event = [[Starrcade (1998)|Starrcade]]
|notes = This was a [[no disqualification match]].
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Starrcade 1998|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#98|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2013-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403091424/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#98|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kevin Nash's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411033|access-date=2007-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706202027/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411033|archive-date=2008-07-06}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 27
|champion = {{sortname|Hollywood|Hogan|Hulk Hogan}}
|reign = 5
|date = {{dts|1999|1|4}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=1|day1=4|year1=1999|month2=3|day2=14|year2=1999}}
|location = [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Hulk Hogan's fifth reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411037|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723225023/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411037|archive-date=2008-07-23}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
|notes=Nash laid down for Hogan in a match that would later be known as the "[[Fingerpoke of Doom]]".}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 28
|champion = {{sortname|Ric|Flair}}
|reign = 6
|date = {{dts|1999|3|14}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=3|day1=14|year1=1999|month2=4|day2=11|year2=1999}}
|location = [[Louisville, Kentucky]]
|event = [[Uncensored (1999)|Uncensored]]
|notes =This was a [[Professional wrestling match types#First Blood match|First Blood]] [[Professional wrestling match types#Babed wire steel cage match|barbed wire steel cage match]].
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Uncensored 1999|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#99|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2016-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413111225/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#99|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ric Flair's fifth recognized reign|publisher=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110310|access-date=2007-10-09|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903012329/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110310|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 29
|champion = {{sortname|Diamond Dallas|Page}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|1999|4|11}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=4|day1=11|year1=1999|month2=4|day2=26|year2=1999}}
|location = [[Tacoma, Washington]]
|event = [[Spring Stampede (1999)|Spring Stampede]]
|notes =This was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|four corners match]], also involving [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] and [[Hulk Hogan|Hollywood Hulk Hogan]]. [[Randy Savage]] was the special guest referee.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Spring Stampede 1999|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/stampede.html#99|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2014-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216144822/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/stampede.html#99|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Dallas Page's first reign|publisher=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110312|access-date=2007-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011035808/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110312|archive-date=2007-10-11}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 30
|champion = [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]]
|reign = 5
|date = {{dts|1999|4|26}}
|days = <1
|location = [[Fargo, North Dakota]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =WWE.com mistakenly lists Sting's reign as lasting from April 26, 1999 to April 29, 1999, despite this and the following match's descriptions stating that this reign began and ended on the same night.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Sting's fifth reign|publisher=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110314|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903012845/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110314|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 31
|champion = {{sortname|Diamond Dallas|Page}}
|reign = 2
|date = {{dts|1999|4|26}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=4|day1=26|year1=1999|month2=5|day2=9|year2=1999}}
|location = [[Fargo, North Dakota]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =This was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|four corners match]], also involving [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]] and [[Kevin Nash]] who Page pinned.<br />WWE recognizes DDP's reign as lasting 14 days.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Dallas Page's second reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110316|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903012852/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110316|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 32
|champion = {{sortname|Kevin|Nash}}
|reign = 2
|date = {{dts|1999|5|9}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=5|day1=9|year1=1999|month2=7|day2=11|year2=1999}}
|location = [[St. Louis, Missouri]]
|event = [[Slamboree (1999)|Slamboree]]
|notes =
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Slamboree 1999|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/slambore.html#99|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2008-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623095700/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/slambore.html#99|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kevin Nash's second reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110318|access-date=2007-10-09|archive-date=2011-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916080125/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110318|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 33
|champion = {{sortname|Randy|Savage}}
|reign = 4
|date = {{dts|1999|7|11}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=7|day1=11|year1=1999|month2=7|day2=12|year2=1999}}
|location = [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]]
|event = [[Bash at the Beach (1999)|Bash at the Beach]]
|notes =This was a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types|tag team match]] pitting Savage and [[Sid Eudy|Sid Vicious]] against [[Kevin Nash]] and [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]]. Savage pinned Nash to win the title.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Randy Savage's fourth reign |publisher=WWE.com |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110317 |access-date=2007-10-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070905220045/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110317 |archive-date=2007-09-05 }}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 34
|champion = {{sortname|Hollywood|Hogan|Hulk Hogan}} 
|reign = 6
|date = {{dts|1999|7|12}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=7|day1=12|year1=1999|month2=9|day2=12|year2=1999}}
|location = [[Jacksonville, Florida]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Hulk Hogan's sixth reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110315|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011030638/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110315|archive-date=2007-10-11}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 35
|champion = [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]]
|reign = 6
|date = {{dts|1999|9|12}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=9|day1=12|year1=1999|month2=10|day2=25|year2=1999}}
|location = [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina]]
|event = [[Fall Brawl (1999)|Fall Brawl]]
|notes =
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Fall Brawl 1999|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#99|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2016-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413111226/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#99|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sting's sixth reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110313|access-date=2007-10-09|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903013414/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110313|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 35.5
|type=vacated
|date = {{dts|1999|10|25}}
|location = [[Phoenix, Arizona]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =[[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] was stripped of the title after losing an unsanctioned match against [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]] and attacking referee [[Charles Robinson (referee)|Charles Robinson]] at [[Halloween Havoc (1999)|Halloween Havoc]].
|ref =<ref name="hart1">{{cite web|title=Bret Hart's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110311|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2012-01-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122144459/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110311|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 36
|champion = {{sortname|Bret|Hart}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|1999|11|21}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=11|day1=21|year1=1999|month2=12|day2=20|year2=1999}}
|location = [[Toronto, Ontario]]
|event = [[Mayhem (1999)|Mayhem]]
|notes =Defeated [[Chris Benoit]] in a tournament final for the vacant title.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=WCW World Title Tournament 1999|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/worldus.html#world99|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2008-05-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511173409/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/worldus.html#world99|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mayhem 1999|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/mayhem.html#mayhem|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2016-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408100448/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/mayhem.html#mayhem|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bret Hart's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110311|access-date=2007-10-09|archive-date=2012-01-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122144459/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110311|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 36.5
|type=vacated
|date = {{dts|1999|12|20}}
|location = [[Baltimore, Maryland]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =[[Bret Hart]] vacated the title due to the controversial end to a match with [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]] at [[Starrcade (1999)|Starrcade]].
|ref =<ref name="hart2">{{cite web|title=Bret Hart's second reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411039|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229010502/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411039|archive-date=2007-12-29}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 37
|champion = {{sortname|Bret|Hart}}
|reign = 2
|date = {{dts|1999|12|20}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=12|day1=20|year1=1999|month2=1|day2=16|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Baltimore, Maryland]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =Defeated [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]] in a rematch for the vacant title.
|ref =<ref name="hart2"/><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 37.5
|type=vacated
|date = {{dts|2000|1|16}}
|location = [[Cincinnati, Ohio]]
|event = [[Souled Out (2000)|Souled Out]]
|notes =[[Bret Hart]] vacated the title due to a legitimate injury.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Wrestler Profiles: Bret Hart|work=Online World of Wrestling|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/bret-hart.html|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2012-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910023409/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/bret-hart.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 38
|champion = {{sortname|Chris|Benoit}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|2000|1|16}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=1|day1=16|year1=2000|month2=1|day2=17|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Cincinnati, Ohio]]
|event = [[Souled Out (2000)|Souled Out]]
|notes =Defeated [[Sid Eudy|Sid Vicious]] for the vacant title. The following day, after a dispute with management, he left WCW for the WWF. The company withdrew recognition of Benoit's reign, which was not listed in the title lineage at WCW.com. However, WWE (who assumed the title upon purchasing WCW in March 2001) recognizes Benoit's reign at WWE.com.
|ref =<ref name="benoit">{{cite web|title=Chris Benoit's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411035|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2007-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515053955/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411035|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="WCW.com"/><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 38.5
|type=vacated
|date = {{dts|2000|1|17}}
|location = [[Columbus, Ohio]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =In storyline, [[Chris Benoit]] was stripped of the title because he won the match although [[Sid Eudy|Sid Vicious]]' foot was under the rope during the submission. In reality, Benoit forfeited the title and left for the WWF after dispute with management.
|ref =<ref name="benoit"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Wrestler Profiles: Chris Benoit|work=Online World of Wrestling|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/c/chris-benoit.html|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2012-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901114707/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/c/chris-benoit.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 39
|champion = {{sortname|Sid|Vicious|Sid Eudy}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|2000|1|24}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=1|day1=24|year1=2000|month2=1|day2=25|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Los Angeles, California]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =Defeated [[The Harris Brothers]] for the right to face [[Kevin Nash]]. Sid then defeated Nash for the vacant title. <br />WWE recognizes Sid's reign as lasting 2 days, ending on January 26, 2000, when the following episode aired on [[Broadcast delay|tape delay]].
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Sid Vicious' first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411031|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2012-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324112317/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411031|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 39.33
|type=vacated
|date = {{dts|2000|1|25}}
|location = [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]
|event = ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]''
|notes =[[Sid Eudy|Sid Vicious]] was stripped of the title by [[Professional wrestling authority figures|Commissioner]] [[Kevin Nash]], as Sid did not pin the legal man to win the championship.<br />Aired on [[Broadcast delay|tape delay]] on January 26, 2000.
|ref =<ref name="titles"/><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 39.66
|champion = {{sortname|Kevin|Nash}}
|type=unrecognised
|reign= 3
|date = {{dts|2000|1|25}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=1|day1=25|year1=2000|month2=1|day2=25|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]
|event = ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]''
|notes =As Commissioner, Nash awarded himself the vacant title; this reign was not recognised by WCW, and is not recognised by WWE.<br />Aired on [[Broadcast delay|tape delay]] on January 26, 2000.
|ref =<ref name="titles"/><ref name="WCW.com"/><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 40
|champion = {{sortname|Sid|Vicious|Sid Eudy}}
|reign = 2
|date = {{dts|2000|1|25}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=1|day1=25|year1=2000|month2=4|day2=10|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]
|event = ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]''
|notes =This was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triangle]] [[Professional wrestling match types#Steel Cage match|steel cage match]], also involving [[Kevin Nash]] and [[The Harris Brothers|Ron Harris]]. Sid made Nash submit to win the title.<br />WWE recognizes Sid's reign as lasting 75 days, beginning on January 26, 2000, when the episode aired on [[Broadcast delay|tape delay]].
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Sid Vicious' second reign|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411026|access-date=2007-10-13|archive-date=2012-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603004335/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411026|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 40.5
|type=vacated
|date = {{dts|2000|4|10}}
|location = [[Denver, Colorado]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =All WCW titles were declared vacant by [[Vince Russo]] and [[Eric Bischoff]] after WCW was [[Reboot (fiction)|rebooted]].
|ref =<ref name="jarrett1">{{cite web|title=Jeff Jarrett's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411022|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014003030/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411022|archive-date=2007-10-14}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 41
|champion = {{sortname|Jeff|Jarrett}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|2000|4|16}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=4|day1=16|year1=2000|month2=4|day2=24|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Chicago, Illinois]]
|event = [[Spring Stampede (2000)|Spring Stampede]]
|notes =Defeated [[Diamond Dallas Page]] in a tournament final for the vacant title.
|ref =<ref name="jarrett1"/><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 42
|champion = {{sortname|Diamond Dallas|Page}}
|reign = 3
|date = {{dts|2000|4|24}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=4|day1=24|year1=2000|month2=4|day2=25|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Rochester, New York]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =This was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Steel Cage match|steel cage match]].
|ref =<ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 43
|champion = {{sortname|David|Arquette}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|2000|4|25}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=4|day1=25|year1=2000|month2=5|day2=7|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Syracuse, New York]]
|event = ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]''
|notes =This was a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types|tag team match]] pitting Arquette and [[Diamond Dallas Page]] against [[Eric Bischoff]] and [[Jeff Jarrett]], in which whoever scored the fall would become champion. Arquette pinned Bischoff to win Page's title.<br />Aired on [[Broadcast delay|tape delay]] on April 26, 2000.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=David Arquette's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411014|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024131117/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411014|archive-date=2007-10-24}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 44
|champion = {{sortname|Jeff|Jarrett}}
|reign = 2
|date = {{dts|2000|5|7}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=5|day1=7|year1=2000|month2=5|day2=15|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Kansas City, Missouri]]
|event = [[Slamboree (2000)|Slamboree]]
|notes =This was a [[Triple Cage match]], also involving [[Diamond Dallas Page]].
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeff Jarrett's second reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411010|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002173946/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411010|archive-date=2007-10-02}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 45
|champion = {{sortname|Ric|Flair}}
|reign = 7
|date = {{dts|2000|5|15}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=5|day1=15|year1=2000|month2=5|day2=22|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Biloxi, Mississippi]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =Despite being listed as Flair's sixth reign on WWE.com, the match description says that this was Flair's seventh reign.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Ric Flair's sixth reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541106|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2011-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916075756/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541106|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 45.5
|type=vacated
|date = {{dts|2000|5|22}}
|location = [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =[[Vince Russo]] stripped [[Ric Flair]] of the title.
|ref =<ref name="jarrett3">{{cite web|title=Jeff Jarrett's third reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411029|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012030240/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411029|archive-date=2007-10-12}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 46
|champion = {{sortname|Jeff|Jarrett}}
|reign = 3
|date = {{dts|2000|5|22}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=5|day1=22|year1=2000|month2=5|day2=23|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =[[Vince Russo]] awarded the vacant title to Jarrett, but [[Kevin Nash]] stole the title belt. Nash was then forced to face Jarrett in a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Holds Barred match|No Holds Barred match]], which Jarrett won.<br />WWE recognizes Jarrett's reign as lasting 2 days, ending on May 24, 2000, when the following episode aired on [[Broadcast delay|tape delay]].
|ref =<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/wcw00-01.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-10-11 |archive-date=2018-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102052937/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/wcw00-01.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 47
|champion = {{sortname|Kevin|Nash}}
|reign = 3
|date = {{dts|2000|5|23}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=5|day1=23|year1=2000|month2=5|day2=29|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Saginaw, Michigan]]
|event = ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]''
|notes =This was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triangle match]], also involving [[Scott Steiner]].
|ref =<ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 48
|champion = {{sortname|Ric|Flair}}
|reign = 8
|date = {{dts|2000|5|29}}
|days = <1
|location = [[Salt Lake City, Utah]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =[[Kevin Nash]] gave the title to Flair.
|ref =<ref name="nash4">{{cite web|title=Kevin Nash's fourth reign|publisher=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110212|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903013339/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110212|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 49
|champion = {{sortname|Jeff|Jarrett}}
|reign = 4
|date = {{dts|2000|5|29}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=5|day1=29|year1=2000|month2=7|day2=9|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Salt Lake City, Utah]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes = [[David Flair]] was the [[special guest referee]].
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeff Jarrett's fourth reign|publisher=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110210|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012093551/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110210|archive-date=2007-10-12}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 50
|champion = [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]]
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|2000|7|9}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=7|day1=9|year1=2000|month2=8|day2=28|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Daytona Beach, Florida]]
|event = [[Bash at the Beach (2000)|Bash at the Beach]]
|notes =Earlier that night, [[Hulk Hogan|Hollywood Hulk Hogan]] faced [[Jeff Jarrett]] for the title in a controversial match that ended in a [[Shoot (professional wrestling)|shoot]]. In reality, [[Vince Russo]] wanted Hogan to lose to Jarrett, who would then lose to Booker T. However, Hogan refused to [[Job (professional wrestling)|job]] to Jarrett, so Russo told Jarrett to just lie down and let Hogan win. Jarrett lay down and Russo threw the belt in the ring at a confused Hogan, telling Hogan to take the belt. After Hogan pinned Jarrett and was declared new champion, he called out Russo for his poor [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#book|booking]] decisions before walking out of WCW. Russo reversed the decision, declaring that Jarrett was still champion. Jarrett then lost the title to Booker T in an impromptu match.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Bash at the Bash 2000|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#2000|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2017-04-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430042543/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#2000|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/><ref name="WCW.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 51
|champion = {{sortname|Kevin|Nash}}
|reign = 4
|date = {{dts|2000|8|28}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=8|day1=28|year1=2000|month2=9|day2=17|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Las Cruces, New Mexico]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes = [[Jeff Jarrett]] was the [[special guest referee]].
|ref =<ref name="nash5">{{cite web|title=Kevin Nash's fifth reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110220|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2012-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216105006/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110220|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 52
|champion = [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]]
|reign = 2
|date = {{dts|2000|9|17}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=9|day1=17|year1=2000|month2=9|day2=25|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Buffalo, New York]]
|event = [[Fall Brawl (2000)|Fall Brawl]]
|notes =This was a [[Caged Heat match]].
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Fall Brawl 2000|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#2000|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2016-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413111226/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#2000|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Booker T's second reign|publisher=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110219|access-date=2007-10-09|archive-date=2011-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916075740/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110219|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 53
|champion = {{sortname|Vince|Russo}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|2000|9|25}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=9|day1=25|year1=2000|month2=10|day2=2|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Uniondale, New York]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =This was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Steel cages|steel cage match]]. 
|ref =<ref name="russo1">{{cite web|title=Vince Russo's first reign |publisher=WWE.com |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110218 |access-date=2007-10-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070419061927/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110218 |archive-date=2007-04-19 }}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 53.5
|type=vacated
|date = {{dts|2000|10|2}}
|location = [[Daly City, California]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =[[Vince Russo]] decided he was not a wrestler and he did not want the title.
|ref =<ref name="russo1"/><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 54
|champion = [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]]
|reign = 3
|date = {{dts|2000|10|2}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=10|day1=2|year1=2000|month2=11|day2=26|year2=2000}}
|location = [[Daly City, California]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =Defeated [[Jeff Jarrett]] in a [[San Francisco 49ers]] match for the vacant title.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Booker T's third reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110216|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903013858/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110216|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 55
|champion = {{sortname|Scott|Steiner}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|2000|11|26}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=11|day1=26|year1=2000|month2=3|day2=26|year2=2001}}
|location = [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]
|event = [[Mayhem (2000)|Mayhem]]
|notes =This was a [[straitjacket]] [[professional wrestling match types#Steel Cage match|steel cage match]].
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Mayhem 2000|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/mayhem.html#2000|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2016-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408100448/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/mayhem.html#2000|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Scott Steiner's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110215|access-date=2007-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011024319/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110215|archive-date=2007-10-11}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 56
|champion = [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]]
|reign = 4
|date = {{dts|2001|3|26}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=3|day1=26|year1=2001|month2=7|day2=24|year2=2001}}
|location = [[Panama City Beach, Florida]]
|event = ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]''
|notes =This was a winner-take-all match for both the World Heavyweight and Booker's [[WWE United States Championship|United States Heavyweight]] championships. This was also the final episode of ''Nitro'', as WCW had been purchased by the WWF on March 23, 2001. The title was then defended on WWF programming, where it was referred to as the WCW Championship.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Booker T's fourth reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110214|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011030623/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110214|archive-date=2007-10-11}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number=56.5 || type=promotion || name= [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF) 
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 57
|champion = {{sortname|Kurt|Angle}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|2001|7|24}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=7|day1=24|year1=2001|month2=7|day2=30|year2=2001}}
|location = [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]
|event = ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]''
|notes =Aired on [[Broadcast delay|tape delay]] on July 26, 2001.
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Kurt Angle's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110213|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2012-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201100450/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110213|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 58
|champion = [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]]
|reign = 5
|date = {{dts|2001|7|30}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=7|day1=30|year1=2001|month2=8|day2=19|year2=2001}}
|location = [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]
|event = ''[[WWE Raw|Raw Is War]]''
|notes =
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=Booker T's fifth reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110221|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903012821/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110221|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 59
|champion = {{sortname|The|Rock|Dwayne Johnson}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|2001|8|19}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=8|day1=19|year1=2001|month2=10|day2=21|year2=2001}}
|location = [[San Jose, California]]
|event = [[SummerSlam (2001)|SummerSlam]]
|notes =
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=SummerSlam 2001|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/summer.html#2001|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910051449/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/summer.html#2001|archive-date=2012-09-10|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Rock's first reign |publisher=WWE.com |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110223 |access-date=2007-10-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331155507/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110223 |archive-date=2008-03-31 }}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 60
|champion = {{sortname|Chris|Jericho}}
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|2001|10|21}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=10|day1=21|year1=2001|month2=11|day2=5|year2=2001}}
|location = [[St. Louis, Missouri]]
|event = [[No Mercy (2001)|No Mercy]]
|notes =
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=No Mercy 2001|work=Pro Wrestling History|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/nomercy.html#2001|access-date=2007-10-02|archive-date=2017-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202021230/http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/nomercy.html#2001|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chris Jericho's first reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110222|access-date=2007-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215200617/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110222|archive-date=2008-02-15}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 61
|champion = {{sortname|The|Rock|Dwayne Johnson}}
|reign = 2
|date = {{dts|2001|11|5}}
|days = {{age in days nts|month1=11|day1=5|year1=2001|month2=12|day2=9|year2=2001}}
|location = [[Uniondale, New York]]
|event = ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]''
|notes =The title was referred to as the World Championship from November 19, 2001 after the demise of [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]].
|ref =<ref>{{cite web|title=The Rock's second reign|publisher=[[WWE]].com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110221|access-date=2007-10-03|archive-date=2011-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903012821/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110221|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number = 62
|champion = {{sortname|Chris|Jericho}}
|reign = 2
|date = {{dts|2001|12|9}}
|days = <1
|location = [[San Diego, California]]
|event = [[Vengeance (2001)|Vengeance]]
|notes =
|ref =<ref name="Chris Jericho's second reign">{{cite web|title=Chris Jericho's second reign|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541104|access-date=2007-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215113326/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541104|archive-date=2008-02-15}}</ref><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number = 62.5
|type=unified
|date = {{dts|2001|12|9}}
|location = [[San Diego, California]]
|event = [[Vengeance (2001)|Vengeance]]
|notes =After defeating [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] for the World Championship, [[Chris Jericho]] defeated [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] to unify the World Championship with the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]]. The World Championship was retired and the WWF Championship became the [[Undisputed championship (professional wrestling)|Undisputed]] WWF Championship.
|ref =<ref name="Chris Jericho's second reign"/><ref name="WWE.com"/>
}}
{{BundleEnd}}

== Combined reigns ==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| width = 200
| image1 = Ric Flair Big Gold NWA 1988 colored.png
| caption1 = Record eight-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion [[Ric Flair]]
| image2 = Hogan wcw champion.jpg
| caption2 = [[Hulk Hogan]], who reigned for a combined 1,177 days as champion.  His first reign at 469 days is the longest single reign in the title's history.
| image3 = 
| caption3 = 
| total_width = 
| alt1 = 
}}
<!-- DO NOT REMOVE THE WWE COLUMN. THIS IS BASED ON CONSENSUS. THIS IS WWE'S BELT, SO THEIR DAYS ARE ALSO RECOGNIZED HERE. THEY ARE LISTED SECOND BECAUSE THE ACTUAL DAYS TAKE PRECEDENCE. -->
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"
!Rank
!Wrestler
!No. of<br />reigns
!Combined<br />days
!Combined days<br />recognized by WWE
|-
!1
|{{sortname|Hulk Hogan/Hollywood|Hogan|Hulk Hogan}} || 6 || colspan=2|1,177
|-
!2
|{{sortname|Ric|Flair}} || 6{{efn|In WCW, [[Ric Flair]] was recognized as an eight-time champion, while WWE does not recognize Flair's third reign (they consider it a continuation of his second reign) and first reign (they consider it a continuation of his seventh NWA reign), and thus only recognizes him as a six-time champion.|name=|group=}}|| 501 || 505
|-
!3
|{{sortname|Big Van|Vader}} || 3 || colspan=2|377
|-
!4
|{{sortname|Booker|T|dab=wrestler}} || 5 || colspan=2|253
|-
!5
|{{sortname||Sting|dab=wrestler}} || 6 || colspan=2|250
|-
!6
|{{sortname|Lex|Luger}} || 2 || colspan=2|235
|-
!7
|{{sortname||Goldberg|Bill Goldberg}} || 1 || colspan=2|174
|-
!8
|{{sortname|Ron|Simmons}} || 1 || colspan=2|150 
|-
!9
|{{sortname|Scott|Steiner}} || 1 || colspan=2|120
|-
!10
|{{sortname|The|Giant|Big Show}} || 2 || colspan=2|118
|-
!rowspan=2|11
|{{sortname|Kevin|Nash}} || 4 || colspan=2|97
|-
|{{sortname|The|Rock|Dwayne Johnson}} || 2 || colspan=2|97
|-
!13
|{{sortname|Sid|Vicious|Sid Eudy}} || 2 || colspan=2|77
|-
!14
|{{sortname|Jeff|Jarrett}} || 4 || 58 || 59
|-
!15
|{{sortname|Bret|Hart}} || 2 || colspan="2" |56
|-
!16
|{{sortname|Randy|Savage}} || 4 || colspan="2" |53
|-
!17
|{{sortname|Diamond Dallas|Page}} || 3 || 29 || 30
|-
!18
|{{sortname|Chris|Jericho}} || 2 || colspan="2" |15
|-
!19
|{{sortname|David|Arquette}} || 1 || colspan="2" |12
|-
!20
|{{sortname|Vince|Russo}} || 1 || colspan="2" |7
|-  
!21
|{{sortname|Kurt|Angle}} || 1 || colspan="2" |6
|-
!22
|{{sortname|Chris|Benoit}} || 1 || colspan="2" |1
|}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/ Official WCW World Heavyweight Championship History]
* [http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-h.html Wrestling-Titles.com: WCW World Heavyweight Title History]

{{Featured list}}
{{WCW World Heavyweight Championship}}
{{WCW Championships}}
{{WWE Championships}}

[[Category:World Championship Wrestling champions]]
[[Category:WWE champions]]
[[Category:World Championship Wrestling champions lists]]