This guide answers the question: Who is the current Undisputed WWE Champion? – while also looking at the title’s lineage throughout the year, including every defense and title change. Check back as this guide is updated frequently.
The History of the Undisputed WWE Championship
According to WWE, the history of the Undisputed WWE Championship goes back to 1963, when it was first awarded to Buddy Rogers after winning a tournament. It is WWE’s oldest championship, representing the company’s first title since the McMahon family broke away from the NWA. It is also widely considered its most prestigious as over the ensuing 60+ years, a version of the belt has been held by some of the top names in wrestling including Hall of Famers, Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart, the Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, Steve Austin, and future Hall-of-Famers, the Rock, John Cena, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk to name a few.
The title has had reigns as short as one day and as long as 2,800 days. That honor, of course, belongs to Sammartino, who held the belt consecutively for nearly 8 years between 1963 and 1971. Entering this year, there had been 155 reigns with the title being held by 54 different individuals.
The title’s lineage traces back decades and in that time, it has been referred to by many names including the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship (its first name from 1963-71), the WWF Championship (its longest name from 1989-2001), and the Undisputed WWE Championship (its current name and two-time former name – 2002, 2011, and 2024 – present). While it has changed brands many times, the Undisputed WWE Championship is currently the top title on WWE SmackDown.
Undisputed Championship in 2026 – Title Reigns and Changes
In a reign that carried over from SummerSlam on August 3, 2025, when he defeated John Cena in his record 14th reign with the title in a street fight, Cody Rhodes entered 2026 as the Undisputed WWE Champion, in his second reign. He held the title for 159 days before losing it to rival Drew McIntyre (four of his five title defenses were against him) in a Three Stages of Hell match that took place to kick off WWE’s European Tour. This marked McIntyre’s third time with the title. The Scottish Warrior only had two title defenses during his just shy of two-month reign, dropping the title back to Rhodes on the first SmackDown of March.
Cody Rhodes (159 days): August 3, 2025 – January 9, 2026
- Successfully defended the title against Drew McIntyre at Wrestlepalooza (9.20.25)
- Lost to Drew McIntyre by DQ, thus retaining the title on SmackDown (10.17.25)
- Successfully defended the title against Drew McIntyre on Saturday Night’s Main Event (11.1.25)
- Defeated Bronson Reed by DQ, thus retaining the title, on SmackDown (11.14.25)
- Lost the title in a Three Stages of Hell match to Drew McIntyre on SmackDown
Drew McIntyre (56 days): January 9, 2026 – March 6, 2026
- Successfully defended the title against Sami Zayn at Royal Rumble (1.31.26)
- Lost the title to Cody Rhodes on SmackDown (3.6.26)
Cody Rhodes (???): March 6, 2026 – ???
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
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