9. Stone Cold Steve Austin - 529 Combined Days As Champion
The man who defined an era, Stone Cold Steve Austin was the embodiment of "Attitude." With 9 more days as Champion than Savage, Austin would undoubtedly have had many more days with the gold but for his terrible neck injury. The botched Owen Hart piledriver at SummerSlam 1997 was a career shortener, robbing Austin of the majority of 2000 and necessitating an early retirement in 2003. The 529 days Austin did get as champion were across six reigns. He was a massive draw as champion, his babyface against the heel owner being a narrative that so many people bought into. Ratings were up, pay per view buys were up, merchandise was through the roof. Then came the heel turn at WrestleMania 17. Austin would spend significant time in 2001 as Champion, but this time as a bad guy. Fans didn't like it and WWE business took a hit. Just a year later and Austin quit, returning in 2003, but retiring just a few months later. To fit 529 days as champion into what was just a three year time window is proof of Austin's power. This guy was the man.
