WWE: 5 Most Memorable 'Spinner' Championship Holders

2. John Cena

john cena wwe champion At WrestleMania 21 in 2005, John Cena defeated JBL to become WWE Champion for the first time. Following his victory, he would introduce the €˜Spinner€™ title. Not too dissimilar from the customised championship that he carried as United States Champion, the €˜Spinner€™ title belt suited Cena. Its design was flamboyant and was in line with Cena€™s character. In his first reign, Cena would hold the Championship for 280 days during which time he would feud with JBL, Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle. Cena€™s first reign came to an unexpected end when Edge cashed in his Money in the Bank contract at New Years Revolution in 2006. The championship would be traded between Edge, Cena and Rob Van Dam until Cena regained the championship at Unforgiven in 2006 ahead of a 380-day reign. Cena went on to feud with Umaga, Randy Orton and even Kevin Federline whilst holding the strap. Cena successfully defended at WrestleMania 22 against Triple H and again at WrestleMania 23 against Shawn Michaels. The following October €“ however €“ his third reign came to an end as a result of a torn pectoral muscle. Cena was due to be out of action for a considerable length of time and the championship was vacated. Well ahead of time, the Chain Gang Soldier returned four months later to win the Royal Rumble and at WrestleMania XXIV, he was unsuccessful in a challenge to regain the championship that he€™d never lost. Cena€™s next WWE Championship reign didn€™t come until September 2009 when he defeated Randy Orton at Breaking Point in Montreal. His subsequent reign was hardly notable; lasting just 21 days. Despite successfully regaining his championship at WrestleMania XXVI, he would go on to trade the belt with Orton, Sheamus and Batista until mid-2010. He failed to win the title at WrestleMania XXVII in a match against The Miz, John Cena would triumph a month later, taking the championship from The Miz at Extreme Rules. Two months later, Cena would lose the championship to CM Punk. Immediately following his victory, Punk would €˜leave€™ WWE, taking the belt with him. In his absence, Rey Mysterio was crowned the new champion and Cena would defeat him for his record-breaking ninth WWE Championship on Raw in July 2011. Following Punk€™s speedy return there was a question over who was the true WWE Champion. In a match that would determine an Undisputed Champion at SummerSlam, Cena was defeated. He regained the title for a tenth reign and breaking his own record at Night of Champions in 2011 but this run lasted only 14 days. Nobody held the €˜Spinner€™ title for longer than the man that introduced it eight years ago. Between April 2005 and October 2011, John Cena held the title for a total 1,058 days. Only four Superstars in WWE history have held the championship for longer; Hall of Famers Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan and Bob Backlund.
 
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Dave is an English Literature graduate and former WhatCulture contributor. He is an avid Evertonian, fan of film and live music. During his time with WhatCulture, his primary contributions were in the WWE section.