10 Wrestlers Who Became WWE Champion The Quickest

5. Goldberg (174 Days)

Goldberg World Champion
WWE.com

Goldberg has just returned to WWE at the age of 49, but his title-chasing days are dead and gone. The former WCW Champion’s sights are firmly set on Brock Lesnar as Goldberg looks to end his wrestling career on a high, though his initial WWE run was largely disappointing.

For the most part, Goldberg struggled to build on his incredible 2003 debut, and he was never able to capture the magic he lost with WCW’s closure. His tenure ended with a turgid performance against Brock Lesnar and WrestleMania XX, and his recent run marks the first time he’s stepped in a WWE ring in over 12 years.

Despite all this, it didn’t take Goldberg long to reach title contention after arriving in WWE. His initial WCW streak put him on the map, and while his WWE run didn’t have quite the same impact, he became champion after just 174. It started with a win over The Rock, and while Triple H would outfox him in his first title opportunity iside the Elimination Chamber, Goldberg won the belt by defeating The Game at Unforgiven ‘03.

His World Heavyweight Championship reign didn’t last, however, and Triple H recaptured the gold three months later at Armageddon. Sadly, Goldberg’s fall from grace was as quick as his rise, and he was released from WWE in March 2004.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.