2. Ric Flair World Title Reigns
Ric Flair is famous in WWE history for being the record holder of world championship reigns. The company would push the fact again and again in Flair's 2002-2008 run that he was the 16 time world heavyweight champion. But that was just the WWE version of history - in truth he is more like the 20 time world champion - and Flair himself believes he is a 21 time world champion. The nature of the business in Flair's peak days means we will never really know. The NWA title was defended the world over, and in the cases of places like Puerto Rico, Flair would sometimes drop the belt to the local hero to avoid a legitimate riot kicking off. Ric would then get his win back later in the tour. All in all there have been 20 documented wins by Ric Flair of either the NWA, WCW or WWF world championships. Flair was a 12 time NWA Champion, a 6 time WCW champ, and 2 times the man in the WWF. It is unknown how Flair gets to the figure of 21 reigns, but it is entirely possible. As for the reason Flair is billed as a 16 time champion, it is probably to do with WWE not recognizing certain aspects of the NWA. I believe John Cena will one day surpass Flair's 16 world championships. But 20 reigns for Cena? No way. In true wrestling history, Ric Flair will always be the man.