Best Champion in recent history?

[Andrew]

A few friends of mine were discussing who we thought was the best Champion in the past 5 years in WWE.

While many say they are not impressed with CM Punk's current reign which has surpassed John Cena now. In the discussion we had, we brought up MVP's US Heel Title run. He defended the belt often and portrayed great feuds. I also made a mention that CM Punk's best reign was Straight Edge Society where he feuded with Jeff Hardy.

If you think CM Punk's current reign isn't the best, do state what other Champion you thought has been the best in the past five years.
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[Defiant]

The Miz deserves a mention. Probably the best heel WWE Title run since Edge, he got a strong first run that proved to the world he was a main eventer, the reign had longevity with notable moments and accomplishments. Over a year has passed and he is still over by virtue of how strong a champion he was.

 

[PHX]

CM Punk's world title reign as I've said before is seemingly under appreciated because he isn't getting the main angle on the show however his string of matches during the reign have been great and has had some great feuds too. Speaking of another under appreciated world title reign I still think HHH's 08 run on Smackdown was good and worth mentioning.

Besides that Dolph's U.S title reign was great as was MVP's for the Matt/MVP feud.

 

[Tapout]

WWE Title

Edge. Nuff said. Notable mentions to John Cena, JBL, CM Punk, and the Miz.

Edge's WWE title reign in 2006-2007 time frame was the best. It was just about 5 years ago.

World Heavyweight

Batista. Batista defined that belt with his reigns. Notable mentions to Punk, Edge, Bryan, Kane, and Undertaker

US Title.

MVP. Nothing more to be said. Notable mentions to Dolph Ziggler.

IC Title

I really enjoyed the reigns of Morrison, Mysterio, Jericho, and Ziggler in the last 5 years.

Tag Team

Does Londrick count? I'm not sure on the time frame of when they had it, but that one.

 

[Cwalker]

As overall Champion's goes, I would have to say Dolph's US title reign was the best. He made the US Championship desirable, and made it revelant. Something it hasn't had in a very long time.

As far as a World Championship run goes, you can pick any of Edge's runs over the past 4 years. Punk's run has been far from interesting. And Miz's was god awful in terms of booking.

 

[Chris]

Even though the matches weren't always the best, JBL's reign is one of my favorites. Just because every month or so, they would do such a great job at making you believe THIS would be the guy he'd lose to, and he never would. Him being a great heel also helped that.

 

[Irish Mark]

Mark Henry's WHC run was great, maybe a little short and didn't end very well, mainly due to injury, but the guy did a great job. He's had great matches and portrays the monster heel as well as anyone in 15 years. He deserved his run with the belt a IMO deserves another crack at the big one.

 

[The Cork]

Speaking of another under appreciated world title reign I still think HHH's 08 run on Smackdown was good and worth mentioning.

Mark Henry by far though.

Best booked champion ever.

 

[Mr.Mayhem]

I think Punk title reign is the best is past 5-6 years .As wrestling is my highest priority , Punk havent had a bad match untill now , sure not all of them were 5 star classic but there wasnt any match in which i got bored unlike Miz or Cena title regin where i always use to get bored . 2nd best may go to Edge title regin in 07 as heel . Even the Age of orton thing was good . Jeff hardy WHC title regin on smackdown was also entertaining .

 

[AF.]

John Cena had great matches in 07, but fuck me dead was he boring as champ. He should never, ever hold the belt for that long ever again. At a stage when the roster was thinning due to suspensions and injuries, it was literally Cena as the sole focus of the show (actually, nothing's changed since then) and it was dire viewing. Good reign technicially, but remembering back to my attitudes towards his reign I simply can't reward a long overdrawn title run.

CM Punk's has been great. The potential of his current run before it even began was sky high with the Summer of Punk business, and for that reason people have not enjoyed his reign as much as they should. If he didn't drop it to Del Rio (for whatever reason that was), it would have looked even better. He hasn't had the last match on the card, but he's been believable, taking on all comers and proving himself a worthy WWE champion.

If only they ran with the Summer of Punk and didn't water down his character. We could be witnessing the best WWE Title run of all time right now.

 

[Mr.Mayhem]

John Cena had great matches in 07, but fuck me dead was he boring as champ. He should never, ever hold the belt for that long ever again. At a stage when the roster was thinning due to suspensions and injuries, it was literally Cena as the sole focus of the show (actually, nothing's changed since then) and it was dire viewing. Good reign technicially, but remembering back to my attitudes towards his reign I simply can't reward a long overdrawn title run.

CM Punk's has been great. The potential of his current run before it even began was sky high with the Summer of Punk business, and for that reason people have not enjoyed his reign as much as they should. If he didn't drop it to Del Rio (for whatever reason that was), it would have looked even better. He hasn't had the last match on the card, but he's been believable, taking on all comers and proving himself a worthy WWE champion.

If only they ran with the Summer of Punk and didn't water down his character. We could be witnessing the best WWE Title run of all time right now.

Agree with you . WWE did a very big mistake (or should i say HHH ego came in between , to steal the spotlight) by taking title of punk last summer . If Punk didnt dropped the title , his regin would've been one of the best ever but still there is potential , i think punk need to fued with a true main eventer after Bryan . Probably a program with heel Orton would be good , but then again orton is a bitch , dont know if he will job or not .

Even chirstian would be a good contender too .

 

[Guano]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Cody Rhodes 1st Intercontinental Championship reign? He held the Intercontinental Championship for over 236 days, which is one of the longest reigns in recent history. Personally, I think he helped bring back prestige and helped gain interest back into the Intercontinental Championship. His matches with Randy Orton and Booker T were memorable, but sadly I can't help but thing dropping the title to The Big Show at Wrestlemania.

 

[Crippler]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Cody Rhodes 1st Intercontinental Championship reign? He held the Intercontinental Championship for over 236 days, which is one of the longest reigns in recent history. Personally, I think he helped bring back prestige and helped gain interest back into the Intercontinental Championship. His matches with Randy Orton and Booker T were memorable, but sadly I can't help but thing dropping the title to The Big Show at Wrestlemania.

I don't mean to laugh but

 

[Tapout]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Cody Rhodes 1st Intercontinental Championship reign? He held the Intercontinental Championship for over 236 days, which is one of the longest reigns in recent history. Personally, I think he helped bring back prestige and helped gain interest back into the Intercontinental Championship. His matches with Randy Orton and Booker T were memorable, but sadly I can't help but thing dropping the title to The Big Show at Wrestlemania.

The problem with his reign was who did he ever defend against besides Big Show and Booker. I think he defended once against Big Show, the match where he lost the strap, and twice against Booker. His mini feud with Orton didn't involve the title. Rhodes didn't really defend it. It just became a prop basically. I think Cody will be a better chasing champion, than defending champion.

 

[Crippler]

The problem with his reign was who did he ever defend against besides Big Show and Booker. I think he defended once against Big Show, the match where he lost the strap, and twice against Booker. His mini feud with Orton didn't involve the title. Rhodes didn't really defend it. It just became a prop basically. I think Cody will be a better chasing champion, than defending champion.

He also defended it against Zeke in a rematch for the title but yeah everything you said is right.