3. 2nd Longest: WWE Championship – 1st Reign (2005/06)
WrestleMania 21 was John Cena’s crowning moment as he ended JBL’s 280-day WWE Championship reign to become the WWE Champion for the first time. Cena’s maiden WWE Championship run was booked superbly, and he grew with every title defense. Cena became the franchise player, and he was the first draft pick in the 2005 draft lottery, moving from SmackDown to Raw.
The reigning WWE Champion battled past the likes of Christian, Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, and Shawn Michaels during his WWE Championship reign. Mixing it up with veterans improved Cena’s in-ring skills drastically. However, Cena’s brilliant 280-day WWE Championship reign was ended at New Year’s Revolution 2006.
He retained the WWE Championship against Michaels, Angle, Carlito, Chris Masters, and Kane in an Elimination Chamber match. Still, Edge successfully cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase, taking the WWE Title away from Cena in shocking scenes.
