10 Longest Reigning WCW World Heavyweight Champions

By John Bills /

2. Big Van Vader - 285 Days

In early 1990s WCW, Big Van Vader was the heel. How could he not be? He was a huge bear of a man, and he performed with all of the subtlety of an actual bear. He made his name in Japan before coming over to WCW, and after doing a whole lot of nothing was thrust into the main event scene. He would be a main man at the top of the car, feuding with the hottest babyfaces of the era. Vader won the title on three occasions, with his final reign being the longest at 285 days. He defeated Sting for the title at a house show in Dublin, Ireland of all places, just six days after dropping it to the man in London. His first two reigns most likely would have been longer in different circumstances. He dropped the title first to Ron Simmons after suffering a knee injury, and his second run was going smoothly at 71 days before the house show change. After an impressive 285-day reign for his final run, Vader dropped the belt to Ric Flair at Starrcade 1993.