Your Favorite First World Championship Win

[Nate DaMac]

Earlier I was listening to Christian on Talk is Jericho and they were talking about Christian's first WHC title win at Extreme Rules in 2011. I immediately remembered watching that show live and how emotional I had gotten when it happened, It was one of the only times I can recall feeling elated at the result of a professional wrestling match.

Afterwards, using the WWE Network, I started going back and watching a lot of first time championship wins. Here's a few.

Jeff Hardy beats Triple H & Edge in a Triple Threat match to win his first ever WWE Championship.

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This also would have likely been a very emotional moment for me had I seen it live. I didn't bother because I figured there was no chance that he was going to win. You can imagine my shock while watching Raw the next night and hearing JR announce that Hardy had won. I was ecstatic.

Edge cashes in his Money in the Bank Contract on John Cena to win the WWE Championship'

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Another one that I missed as it happened because I couldn't convince my parents to buy it for me. I remember getting online immeidately after it ended and seeing that Edge had won the title on the front page of WWE.com and losing my shit.

Shawn Michaels beats Bret Hart for the WWF Championship

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I actually didn't see this one until much later, like 2 years after it happened. But even as a kid I got to see how meaningful it was to see a guy finally get the one thing he's spent his entire life trying to get. An amazing moment.

So what are some of your favorites?

 

[Pedigree1]

I am going to go nostalgia on this one! I am going to say Eddie beating Brock Lesnar at No Way Out in 2004 was my personal favorite.. Eddie having gone through hell and back,cleaning up,and getting his life back on track that to me was a special moment.. No one thought that Eddie of all people would conquer the beast Brock Lesnar..

That night in San Francisco was a very special moment! RIP Eddie you are still missed

 

[hacksawrowdyhogan]

Ultimate warrior stands victorious in the skydome. He was the first champion many of us can remember besides Hogan.

It was shock that turned to elation. This led to the greatest survivor series concept ever in 1990.

 

[klunderbunker]

I have a feeling a lot of people are going to go with this one: Foley in 1999.

Mick FOley had been one of the hardest working and most beloved wrestlers in the world and was pretty easily the second most popular name in the company. With Austin vs. Rock carved into stone for Wrestlemania, someone was needed to fill in the gap. That man was Mick Foley, who was built up as the Rocky Balboa challenger for The Rock. We eventually saw Foley defeat the Rock on Raw, January 4, 1999. It was a perfect moment and the loudest reaction you will ever hear in wrestling. Even Cole was great with his line of "Mick Foley has achieved his dream and the dream of everybody else who has been you can't do it!" It's my favorite moment ever and I can't picture it being topped.

 

[TheICChampion]

CM Punk cashing in MitB on Edge on RAW after he got beat up by Batista. I legit marked out when that happened, and I wasn't even a huge Punk fan at that point in time (it was a year later).

 

[Aquaman6686]

I'm going to be crucified for this, but my #1 pick is Chris Benoit at WrestleMania 20 (his two-second reign in WCW really doesn't count). Benoit was my all-time favorite wrestler, and even though I was a little disappointed to see him on RAW instead of SmackDown, it was amazing to see him walk out of WrestleMania as the World Heavyweight Champion.

 

[RobertTheBruce]

I'm going to be crucified for this, but my #1 pick is Chris Benoit at WrestleMania 20 (his two-second reign in WCW really doesn't count). Benoit was my all-time favorite wrestler, and even though I was a little disappointed to see him on RAW instead of SmackDown, it was amazing to see him walk out of WrestleMania as the World Heavyweight Champion.

Couldn't agree more.

After being a long time WCW fan, watching them both start out on WCW Saturday's show with Booker T etc, the sight of Benoit and Eddie at the top of WM20 BOTH with the gold they had dreamed of their entire careers, the confetti, Benoits family in the ring (that's a bit messed up now to think about) I can't thinl of a more emotional title win.

 

[FlairFan2003]

Steamboat over Flair at WrestleWar 89 - the ending was a great play off the "Dusty Finishes" that had become common place (much to the upset of fans), when Steamboat's hand is raised and the confusion is over, after an incredible match, it was a great moment.

 

[The Beast Incarnate]

Couldn't agree more.

After being a long time WCW fan, watching them both start out on WCW Saturday's show with Booker T etc, the sight of Benoit and Eddie at the top of WM20 BOTH with the gold they had dreamed of their entire careers, the confetti, Benoits family in the ring (that's a bit messed up now to think about) I can't thinl of a more emotional title win.

I'm with you guys all the way. Wow. What a sight it was. The emotion of perseverance coming off of both athletes was overwhelming. I teared up watching it, and I still do to this day whenever I see it.

 

[Wolf Pac]

Stone Cold at Wrestlemania XIV. Austin was the one who got hooked me onto wrestling and seeing my hero win the big one, made me so emotional. The moment is even more emotional for me when I watch it on Austin 3.16 Uncensored (8.23 in first video - 0.46 in second video). The song and Austin saying, "My name is Stone Cold Steve Austin and I've been busting my ass off for 8 years to get this opportunity", playing in the background, bring a tear to my eye.

Spoiler

The Rock's WWF Title win at Survivor Series 1998 was the first time a match outcome had shocked me. I became a huge fan of Rock's after Summerslam 1998, and my jaws dropped when I saw him win the title and turn his back on the fans. I expected neither to happen and I wanted Austin to win back the title so badly at the time.

I loved Goldberg's WCW Title win on Nitro. The arena went ballistic and apart from Royal Rumble 92, I don't think I've ever heard Bobby Heenan mark out as hard as he did for Goldberg here.

 

[Mudlup50]

Mine would be when Benoit won the title at Wrestlemania 20. I had just started watching about 7 months beforehand. I wasn't a hardcore fan but my brother's favorite wrestler was Chris Benoit. I remember the build up, the way they pushed HBK into the match, that promo when he's like "I was this close to getting there." Then it's Wrestlemania and Benoit won it! My brother was ecstatic and I mean, I was 9 xD which made it all the much better. When it's still real to you and your family is so happy.

Really I can't think of another one since I started watching which was as emotional for me personally

 

[The Boss]

HOLLYWOOD HULK HOGAN'S first WCW World title win. I was not only excited over the fact that HOLLYWOOD HULK HOGAN defeated Ric Flair for the WHC in their first PPV match, but I could smell the seeds being planted. I knew the balance of power was about to shift and thus a new wrestling boom was around the corner.

 

[jmt225]

Rob Van Dam beating John Cena for his first and only World Championship victory is something I'll never forget.

I've been a massive RVD fan since the late nineties, and quite frankly... he should have won the belt back in 2002. But WWE held him back and as a fan it was very frustrating to sit through.

However, for what came at ONS 2006, it was well worth the wait. To win it under those circumstance, in front of THAT crowd... it was just beyond amazing. Sure, the title reign itself didn't amount to much, but no one can ever take that night away. It was the only good thing to come out of WWE's version of ECW.

Also, Sting's first World Title win in hindsight was pretty great. Great American Bash, in Baltimore, against Ric Flair... it was just the perfect setting against the perfect opponent/champion. I didn't get to witness it live like I did the RVD match, but I always loved the match itself since I first saw it many years ago as a kid. You couldn't have asked for a better first World Title win than that.

 

[starkmoto]

Ric Flair Royal Rumble 1992.
"It's not fair to Flair" is something I'll never forget. And Flair took it to everybody instead of hiding out the whole time, which looking back now was very different for a heel like him in the company at the time. The promo he gives in the back conducted by Mean Gene and joined by Mr Perfect and The Brain was one of those promos where reality comes through and you can tell that this was a meaningful moment for Flair, and thus myself as a wrestling fan!

 

[S.J. Maximus]

My first post in just about a year - my all-time favorite "first" title reign was actually mentioned by the OP.

As early as 2002, Jeff Hardy was coming "so close but no cigar" to winning the title. For pretty much all of 2008 he was just there, but getting cheated out of success. To finally see him get his moment and stand tall with the WWE Championship, the flagship title, was just magical. The only moment in wrestling I could compare it to is actually my second choice for this question, Shawn Michaels' "boyhood dream" (thank you Vince for the soundbyte) getting realized at WM12. Once again, HBK had been pretty much at the top of the WWE ladder for over a year, churning out memorable match and moment after memorable match and moment (much like Jeff Hardy in 07-08). To see him win, in more dramatic fashion - the first ever hour long WrestleMania main event - it just has to go down in history as one of the best first title wins in pro wrestling history.

Reading this thread actually reminded me of "Chris Benoit's 18 year odyssey" (god damn I miss you Jim Ross) landing himself in the main event of WrestleMania. Against two of the best guys in the business at that time Benoit stood tall was able to celebrate with confetti, family, and his best friend who was also celebrating his first title reign.

I think Steve Austin deserves honorable mention though. Unlike the others on this list, we all know he was destined to win but still the ride and the buildup to the moment was very good. He was simply on fire, and to see him main event a very high profile WM main event (Thank You Tyson) and beat an all-time great was a special moment that I'm sure he (and many WWE fans) will never forget.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

It's a tough one, but I reckon it has to be Jeff Hardy winning the WWE title for the first time. I had grown up being a massive Hardy Boyz fan, and had enjoyed seeing Jeff and Matt win numerous mid-card titles and obviously multiple Tag-Team titles, but I never truly believed that either would become WWE Champion.

Jeff had been there or there abouts, but I didn't really think Vince would ever give him the green light as Champion, so to see one of my boyhood heroes finally win the big one was a great moment, and well deserved.

 

[TOM93BITW]

I think it's gotta be mankind first title win in '99, not only was the him winning the title amazing enough but it had a huge impact on the ratings wars to the extent where wwe never lost again, despite the fact that many knew he was gonna win (thanks schiavone) the match was still truly epic, historic and emotional. YO ADRIAN I DID IT!!!

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

The Jeff Hardy one was a good pick it's almost idiotic in how come the WWE didn't save this moment at WM? I mean it's not even hindsight when you consider how uninteresting the two World Title matches that were booked at WM25 (if they wanted to do Orton vs. Triple H fine but they could have done with w/o the WWE Title on the line).

Imagine that moment at Armageddon at WM25 with 60,000 screaming fans cheering when he wins the title. Plus Jeff Hardy was ready at that point he had the fan support and marketability to be the WWE Champ.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

As a massive fan of Chris Jericho, I get to answer this question twice.

Technically, Chris Jericho's "first WWE Title win" was erased / stricken from the record books, and it turned out to be one of the most well booked non title wins ever. Jericho insults Triple H and Stephanie as well as Vince, gets HHH angry, and goads him into putting the title on the line. Jericho hits the Lionsault (remember when that used to happen!?) and Earl Hebner, who had been bullied by Triple H for weeks, fast counts and Jericho wins the WWF Title.

Or does he?

Triple H demands the match is reversed because of the fast count and the unsanctioned nature of the match, bullies Hebner into doing it, and fires him. The match is determined to have never happened.

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So Jericho continues to be looked at as the greatest to never win "The Big One." Until this happens:

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The Jericho / Rock feud remains an all time favorite of mine because we're talking about two of my favorite wrestlers of all time, both of whom were golden on the mic. And so, here it is, TWO times I got to celebrate my favorite World Title Win - both by the same guy.

 

[No Count Pup]

Who didn't mark out when Sid beat Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series 1996? It was awesome! MSG was bizzaro world that night. Fans went their own way and cheered on the menacing and cool uber heel Psycho Sid.

It's not that I was happy for Sid per se. I just get excited when anyone wins their first world title. I become curious to see if those new stamps of approval are symbolic of paradigm shifts. By the end of 1996, the chubby cheeked HBK face experiment was played out. The fans wanted to cheer the cool heels ala the NWO. The Sid win reflected that WWE was starting to "get it", setting the stage for a wildly entertaining 1997.

 

[The Samoan Heritage]

1. Jeff Hardy- I was a huge Hardy fan, and for Hardy to finally win the Wwe title not the world title, but THE Wwe title was HUGE. To have followed his career from the Hardy's debut to him going to TNA, and coming back to Wwe to finally win The Title was huge.

2.Chris Benoit & Eddie Guerrero- Eddie's Wwe title win could've been better, I hated the interference, but when he won that title, I was so excited. Then a couple months later Benoit not only won The World Title, that he (and Eddie) fought all their careers to obtained, he got his self (imo) the greatest Wrestlemania moment to date. The site of Beniot and Guerrero celebrating with the two World titles was HUGE add in the confetti, the family celebration, and the crowd being almost as emotional as the wrestlers..MAN that's something that we probably will never see again. (I'm starting to tear up, just remembering how all this went down)

3.Shawn Michaels - Michaels was my favorite wrestler at the moment(and still to this day) when he won the title for the very first time, I couldn't believe it. Michaels had finally became THE man. Michael's win for me, was the first time I actually felt like I had a connection with a wrestler, I was really proud the Michaels had finally won th championship, and accomplish his boyhood dreams.

 

[MCMG]

The Hardy win was indeed magical. They had been building towards it for months and they finally decided to put the belt on him. Defeating HHH and Triple H as well which is some feat. The Hardy's were pretty much my first "favourite" wrestlers and to see Jeff become the champ was a delightful moment. What happened after is a shame but it doesn't take away from the victory.

RVD winning was a great moment too. Especially given it was at at ECW one night stand (what a crowd) He was a guy that was always entertaining and completely deserved his chance. It was amazing that it took that long for him to become World Champ (he didn't even do it in ECW) but it was worth the wait. The fact he fucked it up is a true shame.

 

[TOM93BITW]

I liked CM punks first WWE championship win against John Cena at money in the bank 2011, I thought the storyline was great and I liked the fact that Punk voiced his real opinions during the storyline, I'm a fan of wrestlers winning titles in their hometown,I think the match didn't need Vince or lauraunitis to interfere but then it's Cena and he ain't gonna lose clean.

 

[TOM93BITW]

2.Chris Benoit & Eddie Guerrero- Eddie's Wwe title win could've been better, I hated the interference, but when he won that title, I was so excited. Then a couple months later Benoit not only won The World Title, that he (and Eddie) fought all their careers to obtained, he got his self (imo) the greatest Wrestlemania moment to date. The site of Beniot and Guerrero celebrating with the two World titles was HUGE add in the confetti, the family celebration, and the crowd being almost as emotional as the wrestlers..MAN that's something that we probably will never see again. (I'm starting to tear up, just remembering how all this went down)

Too true man, I think wrestlers these days win title too quickly.

 

[Bobbywoodhogan]

There's a few for me:

Ric Flair - first WWF Title win at Royal Rumble 1992, whilst I hated Flair at the time there was no doubting there was something special about his first WWF Title win in 1992. The greatest Rumble match of all-time had everything and it truly felt like Flair's night. Looking back on it I wished I'd have appreciated it a little bit more but even at then I knew it was special.

Bret Hart - first WWF Title, I could not believe it when I saw Bret Hart with the WWF Title. I switched on either Wrestling Challenge or All American Wresting (whatever it was called) and it was the post match interview with Hart with the title I was ecstatic and watched the programme that followe it where they aired the finish of the match. A great moment, maybe my favourite first title win of all time in terms of seeing it and not believing it even though it was right in front of my eyes.

Hulk Hogan - first WCW title win, although I didn't see it until around 1998 this match was an obsession for me. I wanted to see it so bad and when I did I loved it. It's one of my favourite matches of all-time and this truly felt like a Champion vs Champion match. Amazing moments.