WWE/World Heavyweight Titles: Part 1 Quiz

Answer: Buddy Rogers

Buddy Rogers became the first WWE Champion on April 29, 1963 by defeating Antonino Rocca in the finals of a tournament held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (The title was known then as the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship). He would hold the title for less than a month, however, losing it on May 17, 1963 to Bruno Sammartino.

Answer: Brock Lesnar

Shawn Michaels became the first man in WWE history to win an Iron Man Match for the WWE Championship, but he did this on Pay Per View at "Wrestlemania XII". The next person to win the WWE Championship in an Iron Man Match was Triple H, but like Michaels, won it on Pay Per View at "Judgment Day" 2000. Brock Lesnar was the first man to win the WWE Championship in an Iron Man Match on an episode of "Smackdown!" in late 2003 (which was broadcast over the UPN network) by defeating Kurt Angle. Chris Benoit retained his World Heavyweight Championship in an Iron Man Match on an episode of "Raw" in mid-2004 (which was shown on Spike TV, which is a cable channel).

Answer: New Year's Revolution 2006

Edge won a Money in the Bank Ladder Match at "Wrestlemania 21" which guaranteed him a WWE/World Heavyweight Championship Match anytime within the next twelve months. Ten months later, at "New Year's Revolution" 2006 John Cena successfully retained his WWE Championship in an Elimination Chamber Match only to be challenged by an opportunistic Edge just moments after the match ended.

In just a few minutes after some punches and two "Spears", Edge defeated John Cena to win the WWE Championship. He would not hold the title long, however, as John Cena won it back three weeks later at "Royal Rumble" 2006.

Answer: "No Way Out" 2000

Triple H did defeat Cactus Jack at "Royal Rumble" 2000 as well, but in a Street Fight. Mick Foley was defeated by Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell Match at "King of the Ring" 1998 and it was not contested for the WWE Championship. Triple H defeated Kevin Nash for the World Heavyweight Championship in a Hell in a Cell Match at "Bad Blood" 2003 in which Mick Foley was the referee. Triple H defeated Cactus Jack (Mick Foley) at "No Way Out" 2000 in a Hell in Cell Match for the WWE Championship, and as per the stipulations, forced Mick Foley into retirement.

Answer: Undertaker

Undertaker actually won his first WWE Championship one year and six days after his debut match at "Survivor Series" 1990 by defeating Hulk Hogan at "Survivor Series" 1991. Brock Lesnar won the WWE Undisputed Championship by defeating The Rock at "Summerslam" 2002 a mere five months after first appearing in the WWE. Kurt Angle won his first WWE Championship also by defeating The Rock at "No Mercy" 2000 eleven months after his debut match. Yokozuna won his first WWE Championship at "Wrestlemania IX" by defeating Bret "Hitman" Hart a couple of months after his debut.

Answer: Chris Jericho

Co-Owner Ric Flair wanted to schedule a match between The Rock and Stone Cold at "Vengeance" 2001 to determine the WWE Undisputed Champion until Co-Owner Vince McMahon came up with the alternative idea to have three matches instead. The first match was to be held for the WWE Championship between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kurt Angle.

The next was to be held for the World Championship between The Rock and Chris Jericho. The winners of the two matches would then face off against each other to determine the WWE Undisputed Champion. Austin defeated Angle and Jericho defeated The Rock.

In the final match to decide who the WWE Undisputed Champion would be, both Vince McMahon and Booker T cost Austin the match and Chris Jericho became the first WWE Undisputed Champion.

Answer: Montreal

The "Montreal Screwjob" as it came to be known was one of the most infamous moments in WWE history. Prior to "Survivor Series" 1997 Hart swore he would not lose the title to Shawn Michaels, whom he had legitimate animosity towards. With Bret Hart's contract almost expiring, Vince McMahon feared Hart would take the WWE Championship to WCW "Monday Night Nitro" instead of WWE "Raw is War" as Hart had promised if McMahon did not make this push.

This paranoia led to McMahon screwing the "Hitman" of his title and giving it to Shawn Michaels after having referee Earl Hebner call for the bell while Michaels locked a "Sharpshooter" on Hart despite the fact that Hart had not tapped out. Bret "Hitman" Hart then left for WCW.

Answer: Ivan Koloff

Answer: Ric Flair

Because of a controversial result to the WWE Championship between Undertaker and Hulk Hogan at "Tuesday in Texas" in late 1991, the 1992 'Royal Rumble' Match would decide who was to become the new WWE Champion as the title was previously vacated. Ric Flair entered at No. 3 and won the match. This marked the first time the 'Royal Rumble' Match was contested for the WWE Championship.

Answer: Andre the Giant

Most would guess Yokozuna due to him losing the WWE Championship Hulk Hogan at "Wrestlemania IX" two minutes after defeating Bret "Hitman" Hart to win it. In fact, Andre the Giant had, during the 80's, defeated Hulk Hogan for the WWE Championship only to attempt to sell it to Ted DiBiase 45 seconds later, rendering it vacant.

Answer: Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon defeated Triple H for the WWE Championship in late 1999 with the help of Stone Cold Steve Austin. He would not hold it for long as he himself rendered it vacant soon after.

Answer: 62 Minutes and 2 Seconds

The 1992 'Royal Rumble' was the longest running match contested for the WWE Championship. The Iron Man Match between Shawn Michaels and Bret "Hitman" Hart comes in a close second when including the sudden death overtime period of around 1:40. The other three 60-Minute Iron Man Matches during these years are all second runner ups.

Answer: First Blood Match

Many questioned the possibility of Kane losing this match. The loser of a First Blood Match is typically lacerated at the head and, with Kane wearing a mask, this would prove to be a daunting task for Stone Cold Steve Austin. Near the end of the match, the referee was knocked out and Mankind interfered to attack Austin.

This prompted Undertaker to come out for Mankind. While attempting to hit Mankind with a chair, Mankind ducked out of the way, causing Undertaker to inadvertently hit Stone Cold instead and make him bleed. Austin continued to battle Kane, but the referee came to, saw the blood on Austin's head, and awarded the WWE Championship to Kane.

Answer: Randy Orton

The World Heavyweight Championship was contested in a Triple Threat Match at "Wrestlemania 22". Randy Orton earned a spot in the match after defeating the Royal Rumble winner Rey Mysterio in a No. 1 Contender Match at "No Way Out" 2006. Rey Mysterio earned his place by winning the 'Royal Rumble' Match. Kurt Angle entered "Wrestlemania 22" as the World Heavyweight Champion.

At the end of the match, Mysterio pinned Orton after a "619" followed by the "West Coast Pop".

Answer: Three

The first encounter between the two was in the main event of "Wrestlemania 21". Batista defeated World Heavyweight Champion Triple H with a "Batista Bomb". The same fate awaited Triple H in his rematch with Batista at "Backlash" 2005. The final encounter between these two came at "Vengeance" 2005 in a Hell in a Cell Match for the World Heavyweight Championship that ended with Batista hitting Triple H with the "Batista Bomb" before Triple H could strike him with a sledgehammer.