10 Longest WWE Championship Reigns Ever
5. Pedro Morales (1207 Days)
Selected by Vince McMahon Sr as the next great babyface hope of the North East territory after Bruno Sammartino's shocking loss less than a month earlier, Puerto Rican hero Pedro Morales built on his increasing popularity in New York with a stunning victory over despised Russian heel Ivan Koloff.
Morales had been a revelation for the group since arriving in November 1970, scoring United States title glory in January, before being forced to vacate it after taking the company's top prize just a month later.
Pedro's relative youth and relatable demeanour amongst an ageing population of well-tenured stars made him a natural fit in the role. Amassing an impressive 1027 days with the title, only John Cena, Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan and Bruno Sammartino can lay claim to holding the gold more cumulative days than the Latin American star, and only the entries still to come in this list can touch his longevity in a single reign.