WWE World Heavyweight Championship Changes

Milwaukee, WI Bradley Center September 2, 2002 Raw: - Eric Bischoff awarded Triple H with the Raw-exclusive World Heavyweight Title as payback for Stephanie McMahon making WWE World Champion Brock Lesnar a Smackdown!-exclusive talent

Survivor Series 02 New York City, NY Madison Square Garden November 17, 2002 - Shawn Michaels defeated World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, WWE Raw Tag Team Champion Chris Jericho, and Kane in an Elimination Chamber match to win the title at 39:21; Booker pinned RVD with a missile dropkick at 13:38 immediately after RVD hit the Five Star Frog Splash off the top of one of the chambers, with one of RVD's knees landing across Triple H's throat as he landed; Jericho pinned Booker with the Lionsault at 17:41; Jericho pinned Kane with the Lionsault after Kane sustained both Michaels' superkick and the Pedigree at 22:54; Michaels pinned Jericho with the superkick at 30:43 as Jericho had the Walls of Jericho applied on Triple H; Michaels pinned Triple H with the superkick after reversing the Pedigree into a backdrop; prior to the bout, Eric Bischoff came out and cut an in-ring promo inside the chamber, detailing what the chamber was created of and the rules of the match; during Jericho's entrance, Saliva performed "King of My World" live from The World; Ric Flair escorted Triple H to the ring prior to the match (Michaels' in-ring return to MSG after a 4 year absence)

Armageddon 02 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Office Depot Center December 15, 2002 - Triple H defeated World Heavyweight Champion Shawn Michaels in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match to win the title at 38:33; fall #1 - Triple H pinned Michaels in a hardcore match at 20:35 with the Pedigree after clipping the champion’s injured leg; fall #2 - Michaels pinned Triple H in a steel cage match at 31:05 following a splash off the top of the cage through a table set up in the ring after hitting the superkick on both the challenger and an interfering Ric Flair, who returned ringside mid-way through the fall after being ejected before the match; after the fall, a bloody Flair was helped backstage by referees; fall #3 - Triple H defeated Michaels in a ladder match after knocking the champion off the ladder - sending him over the top rope through three tables set up outside the ring

Unforgiven 03 (Raw) Hershey, PA Giant Center September 21, 2003 - Bill Goldberg pinned World Heavyweight Champion Triple H at 14:53 to win the title with the spear and Jackhammer, as the champion attempted to hit Goldberg with his sledgehammer while referee Earl Hebner was knocked down on the floor; pre-match stipulations stated Goldberg could win the title on a disqualification or count-out but if he lost he would have to leave WWE

Armageddon 03 (Raw) Orlando, FL TD Waterhouse Center December 14, 2003 - Triple H defeated Kane and World Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg to win the title at 19:30 by pinning Goldberg after Kane hit the chokeslam on the champion and was pulled out to the floor by Batista; earlier in the bout, both Ric Flair and Randy Orton interfered on behalf of Triple H but were beaten down by Goldberg; after the contest, Evolution posed with all four of their newly-won championship belts on the entrance stage

WrestleMania XX New York City, NY Madison Square Garden March 14, 2004 - Chris Benoit defeated World Heavyweight Champion Triple H and Shawn Michaels to win the title at 24:07 when Triple H submitted to the Crippler Crossface; after the bout, Eddie Guerrero came out to congratulate Benoit and was followed soon thereafter by Benoit's family

Summer Slam 04 Toronto, Ontario Air Canada Centre August 15, 2004 - Randy Orton pinned World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit to win the title at 20:09 with the RKO after avoiding the Crippler Crossface; after the bout, Benoit returned to the ring to offer his hand in congratulations to the new champion with Orton then shaking it

Unforgiven (Raw) Portland, OR Rose Garden September 12, 2004 - Triple H pinned World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton to win the title at 24:45 after Triple H hit the champion over the head with a chair shot and followed with a Pedigree onto the same chair, with Batista pushing referee Earl Hebner into the ring to make the count, moments after Orton fought off an interfering Batista and Ric Flair; late in the bout, Hebner was knocked to the floor, which prompted Flair and Batista to come to the ring; Orton fought off both, knocking them to the floor; moments later, Jonathan Coachman came down as a replacement referee only to receive the RKO from Orton minutes later

12/6/04: The title was held up following a controversial triple threat match in Baltimore featuring Chris Benoit, Edge, and Triple H on 11/29/04. The conclusion of the bout saw Edge tap out to Benoit's Crippler Crossface at the same time Edge had Benoit pinned for the 3-count. On 12/13/04 it was announced that an Elimination Chamber match would be held to determine the rightful title-holder. The participants would include Triple H, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Edge, and Batista.

New Year's Revolution San Juan, Puerto Rico Coliseo De Puerto Rico January 9, 2005 - Triple H (w/ Ric Flair) defeated Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Batista, and Edge in an Elimination Chamber match at 34:45; Jericho pinned Edge with the Lionsault at 19:19 after guest referee Shawn Michaels hit the superkick on Edge, moments after Edge accidentally hit the spear on Michaels; the chamber was briefly opened after a cameraman was injured when Batista threw Jericho into him, knocking the cameraman backwards into the chain link cage; Batista pinned Benoit at 26:15 with a spinebuster and then hitting a spinebuster on Jericho onto Benoit's body; Batista pinned Jericho with a powerslam and the sit-down powerbomb at 27:36; Orton pinned Batista with a low blow and the RKO at 32:30, with Triple H seemingly opting not to break the cover as he watched from the corner of the ring; Triple H pinned Orton with the Pedigree after Batista hit a clothesline on Orton as Michaels was distracted by an interfering Flair; due to pre-match stipulations, Triple H won the vacant World Heavyweight Championship; after the bout, Batista lifted Triple H on his shoulders in celebration, with Flair giving the new champion two thumbs up

WrestleMania 21 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center April 3, 2005 - Batista pinned World Heavyweight Champion Triple H (w/ Ric Flair) with the sit-down powerbomb to win the title at 21:34; prior to the bout, Motorhead sang the champion to the ring

- Batista was drafted from Raw to Smackdown! on June 27, 2005 during a Smackdown! taping in Anaheim, CA.

- Batista vacated the title during an in-ring segment in Philadelphia on January 10, 2006 after suffering an injury during a match with Mark Henry two days earlier. Smackdown! GM Teddy Long announced that the championship would be decided in a battle royal to be held later that night.

Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center January 10, 2006 Smackdown!: - Kurt Angle (w/ Daivari) (surprise participant) won a battle royal by last eliminating Mark Henry (w/ Melina) at 24:59; other participants included: Matt Hardy, Bobby Lashley, Brian Kendrick, Paul London, Super Crazy, Psychosis, Simon Dean, Road Warrior Animal, Orlando Jordan; WWE Smackdown! Tag Team Champions Johnny Nitro & Joey Mercury, Sylvan, John Bradshaw Layfield, Rey Mysterio Jr., Nunzio, Paul Birchill, William Regal, and Vito; order of elimination: JBL by Angle via a clothesline at the 9-second mark after a German suplex; Vito by Angle at the 13-second mark via a backdrop; Animal by Henry via a clothesline at 2:48; Dean by Regal & Birchill via a double backdrop (during commercial break); Nunzio by MNM via a modified Snapshot to the floor at 7:23; Jordan by Angle at 7:43 after a German suplex; Regal by Angle at 7:55; Crazy (off camera); Birchill by Angle at 8:00 via a belly to belly suplex; London by Lashley at 8:27; London by Lashley at 8:46; Psychosis by Lashley via a overhead backbreaker throw; Lashley by Henry via a kick as Lashley stood on the apron at 10:40; Kendrick by Henry at 10:47; Sylvan by Hardy via a Twist of Fate across the top rope at 15:19; Hardy by Henry via a throw after blocking a Twist of Fate attempt at 15:28; Nitro by Mysterio via a headscissors as MNM attempted to eliminate Mysterio at 15:40; Mercury by Mysterio via a headscissors at 15:48; Mysterio by Henry via a throw after catching Mysterio in a springboard at 18:16; Angle eliminated Henry with a leg choke, pulling Henry out over the top; at around the 10-minute mark, Henry press slammed Angle through the announce table, taking him out for several minutes; due to pre-match stipulations, Angle won the vacant World Heavyweight Championship

WrestleMania 22 Chicago, IL AllState Arena April 2, 2006 - Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle and Randy Orton to win the title at 9:25 by pinning Orton with the 619 and West Coast Pop; prior to the bout, POD performed "Booyaka 619" during Mysterio's entrance; after the match, Mysterio was congratulated on the entrance stage by Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Vickie Guerrero

Great American Bash 06 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Fieldhouse July 23, 2006 - Booker T pinned World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio Jr. to win the title at 16:48 when Chavo Guerrero Jr. came out as referee Nick Patrick was knocked out on the floor and hit the champion over the head with a steel chair, which Booker brought in the ring moments earlier; Sharmell was in the challenger's match but was ejected at the 10-minute mark; after the bout, Sharmell returned to the ring and repeatedly said "All hail, King Booker" over the mic

Survivor Series 06 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center November 26, 2006 - Batista pinned World Heavyweight Champion Booker T (w/ Sharmell) to win the title at 13:58 after hitting Booker with the title belt behind the referee's back after Booker attempted to knock the challenger out with the weapon; prior to the bout, Teddy Long came out and said - in addition to the prior stipulation where this would be Batista's last shot at the title - if Booker got himself counted-out or disqualified then he would be stripped of the belt and it would be awarded to Batista

WrestleMania 23 Detroit, MI Ford Field April 1, 2007 - The Undertaker pinned World Heavyweight Champion Batista to win the title at 15:48 with the tombstone after ramming the champion into the corner; Teddy Long introduced both men to the ring before the match; the ECW announce table was destroyed during the match

Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena May 8, 2007 Smackdown!: - Edge pinned World Heavyweight Champion the Undertaker with the spear at 1:24 to win the title; after the bout, Edge returned to the ring and hit Taker across the face with the Money in the Bank briefcase

7/17/07: Edge was forced to vacate the title following a torn pectoral muscle he sustained on 7/10.

Laredo, TX Entertainment Center July 17, 2007 - The Great Khali won a 20-man battle royal by last eliminating Batista & Kane at 24:04; order of elimination: Brett & Brian Majors by Mark Henry after throwing one into the other (1:30); Shannon Moore by Khali (1:50); Sho Funaki by Khali (1:59); Henry by WWE Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr., Dave Taylor, Jamie Noble, Chris Masters, Eugene, Kenny Dykstra, Batista, Finlay, WWE Smackdown! Tag Team Champions Deuce & Domino (w/ Cherry), Matt Hardy, WWE US Champion MVP, & Jimmy Wang Yang (6:31); Deuce by Batista (10:18); Domino by Batista (10:19); Taylor eliminated himself after Batista ducked a charge (10:21); Noble by Batista & Kane (11:02); Eugene by Batsita & Kane (11:19); Dykstra by Masters via a backdrop (17:05); MVP by Hardy (18:09); Masters by Chavo & Yang (18:59); Chavo by Yang via a headscissors (19:10); Yang by Hornswaggle, pulling Yang off the ring apron (20:59); Hardy by Khali via a kick (21:25); Finlay by Batista (22:42); Kane & Batista by Khali (24:04); due to pre-match stipulations, Khali won the vacant world heavyweight title; after the bout, Runjin Singh came out to celebrate with Khali, with Teddy Long then presenting Khali the title in the ring

Unforgiven 07 Memphis, TN Fed Ex Forum September 16, 2007 - Batista defeated World Heavyweight Champion the Great Khali and Rey Mysterio Jr. to win the title at 8:02 by pinning Khali with a spinebuster after hitting a powerbomb on Mysterio onto Khali - following a seated senton by Mysterio onto Khali - and then shoving Mysterio out of the ring; moments later, Triple H congratulated Batista backstage

Armageddon 07 Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena December 16, 2007 - Edge defeated World Heavyweight Champion Batista and the Undertaker to win the title in a No DQ match at 13:02 by pinning Batista after twice hitting Taker with a steel chair after Batista sustained the tombstone; Michael Cole & Tazz, subbing for John Bradshaw Layfield, provided commentary for the bout; mid-way through the match, Edge rang the ring bell as Batista was caught in Taker's triangle choke, distracting Taker enough to break the hold; late in the bout, two men dressed as Edge appeared from underneath the ring and aided in distracting Batista and Taker

WrestleMania 24 Orlando, FL Citrus Bowl March 30, 2008 - The Undertaker defeated World Heavyweight Champion Edge via submission to win the title at 23:48 with the leglock choke as Edge attempted a cover on the challenger after hitting the spear; during the champion's entrance, Teddy Long wheeled Vickie Guerrero onto the entrance stage where she kissed Edge good luck; during the final moments of the match, Curt Hawkins & Zach Ryder attempted to interfere on behalf of the champion but were easily fought off by Taker

One Night Stand 08 San Diego, CA Sports Arena June 1, 2008 - Edge defeated the Undertaker in a TLC match at 23:21 after shoving Taker off the top of the ladder and sending him through several tables set up in the aisle; pre-match stipulations stated the winner would earn the vacant World Heavyweight Title and that Taker would be banned from the WWE if he lost; Curt Hawkins & Zach Ryder interfered on be half of Edge at the 17-minute mark and Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Bam Neely interfered on behalf of Edge at the 21-minute mark; after the contest, Edge, Hawkins, Ryder, Guerrero, & Neely celebrated at the entranceway, with Vickie Guerrero then appearing and hugging the new champion; after they all left ringside, Taker struggled to his feet and walked backstage as the show came to a close

Oklahoma City, OK Ford Center June 30, 2008 Raw - CM Punk pinned World Heavyweight Champion Edge to win the title in an unscheduled match at the 12-second mark with the Go To Sleep; prior to the bout, Edge cut an in-ring promo noting Raw didn't have a world champion or general manager; as he went to leave ringside, Edge was confronted by Batista, who attacked Edge in and out of the ring before dropping him with the sit-down powerbomb; after Batista left ringside, Punk appeared to cash in his Money in the Bank title shot

Unforgiven 08 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena September 7, 2008 - Chris Jericho (sub. for World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk) defeated Batista, Kane, and Rey Mysterio Jr. in a Championship Scramble to win the title at 17:18; order of entry: Batista (0:00); JBL (0:00); Kane (4:28); Mysterio (8:18); Jericho (13:07); decisions: Kane pinned JBL with the chokeslam (7:22); Batista pinned Kane with a spinebuster (16:41); Jericho pinned Kane as Batista fought with Mysterio (17:09)

Cyber Sunday 08 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center October 26, 2008 - Batista pinned World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho to win the title at 17:08 with the spinebuster and sit-down powerbomb after Jericho shoved guest referee Steve Austin into the corner as Austin attempted the Stunner on the champion; Austin was chosen as the referee with 74% of the vote, beating Orton (4%) and Shawn Michaels (22%); early in the match, Jericho attempted to get himself counted-out but Austin ruled that if he did get counted-out or disqualified then Batista would win the title; Michaels briefly took over officiating at the 15-minute mark after Austin was knocked to the floor but John Bradshaw Layfield interfered and laid Michaels out on the floor with the Clothesline from Hell before leaving ringside; moments later, Orton jumped Austin as he was getting back in the ring and took over officiating until Austin eventually dropped Orton with the Stunner; after the bout, Batista and Austin shared a beer

Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum November 3, 2008 Raw - Chris Jericho defeated World Heavyweight Champion Batista to win the title in a steel cage match at 15:32 by escaping over the top, moments after hitting the champion repeatedly in the head with a piece of the cage

Survivor Series 08 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden November 23, 2008 - John Cena pinned World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho to win the title at 21:21 with the FU after lifting Jericho off the mat from an inside cradle position; after the bout, Cena hugged his father at ringside and celebrated with friends and family

No Way Out 09 Seattle, WA Key Arena February 15, 2009 - Edge (sub. for Kofi Kingston) defeated World Heavyweight Champion John Cena, Kane, Mike Knox, Rey Mysterio Jr., and Chris Jericho to win the title in an Elimination Chamber match at 29:49; Mysterio pinned Kane at 9:40 with a senton off the top of a pod, moments after Kane sustained Mysterio's 619 and Jericho's Code Breaker; Jericho pinned Knox with the Code Breaker at 14:44; Edge pinned Cena at 22:22 with the spear after Cena sustained Jericho's Code Breaker and Mysterio's 619; Mysterio pinned Jericho by reversing the Walls of Jericho into a roll up at 23:54; prior to the bout, Edge attacked Kingston from behind as Kingston made his entrance, laid him across the ring steps, and hit a Con-Chair-Two; moments later, Edge jumped in the ring and barricaded himself inside one of the pods as Mysterio came out to tend to Kingston, who was then helped backstage by officials

WrestleMania 25 Houston, TX Reliant Stadium April 5, 2009 - John Cena defeated World Heavyweight Champion Edge and the Big Show to win the title at 14:44 by pinning Show after dropping Show with the FU and then dropping Edge with the FU on top of Show; prior to the bout, several dozen men dressed as Cena lined the aisle to the tune of Cena's "Basic Thuganomics" and did the "You can't see me" hand sign until Cena made his entrance to "My Time is Now;" after the bout, Cena celebrated into the crowd

Backlash 09 Providence, RI Dunkin Donuts Center April 26, 2009 - Edge defeated World Heavyweight Champion John Cena in a last man standing match to win the title at 28:25 after the Big Show interfered, as Cena had Edge hoisted for an FU on the stage, and threw Cena into a nearby spotlight, causing an explosion; after the bout, referees, officials, Cryme Tyme, and ECW World Champion Christian tended to Cena, with Cena being fitted with a neckbrace and put on a stretcher

Extreme Rules 09 New Orleans, LA Lakefront Arena June 7, 2009 - Jeff Hardy defeated World Heavyweight Champion Edge in a ladder match to win the title at 20:06 after the champion became stuck in the rungs of the ladder; after the contest, Hardy celebrated the title win until Jim Ross came into the ring to conduct an interview; moments later, CM Punk came out to cash in his Money in the Bank title shot

Extreme Rules 09 New Orleans, LA Lakefront Arena June 7, 2009 - CM Punk pinned World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy to win the title in an impromptu match with a kick to the head and the Go To Sleep at 1:02

Night of Champions 09 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center July 26, 2009 - Jeff Hardy pinned World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk to win the title with the Twist of Fate and Swanton at 14:58

Summer Slam 09 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center August 23, 2009 - CM Punk defeated World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy in a TLC match to win the title at 21:35 after knocking Hardy off the top of the ladder; late in the match, Hardy hit a Swanton off the top of a ladder through the ECW announce table, with EMTs then putting Hardy on a backboard; moments later, Hardy pushed them away and continued the match; after the contest, Punk held the title up above Hardy's body until the lights flickered and then went out; when they came back on, the Undertaker was lying in Hardy's spot, with Taker then rising up and dropping Punk with a chokeslam (Taker's surprise return after a 5-month absence)

Hell in a Cell 09 Newark, NJ Prudential Center October 4, 2009 - The Undertaker pinned World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk to win the title in a Hell in a Cell match at 10:25 with the chokeslam and tombstone after kicking a steel chair into the champion's face; prior to the match beginning, Punk threw his T-shirt at the challenger; during the match, there were dueling chants of "Undertaker" and "CM Punk;" late in the contest, Taker hit the powerbomb but Punk kicked out at 2

Elimination Chamber 2010 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center February 21, 2010 - Chris Jericho defeated World Heavyweight Champion the Undertaker, Rey Mysterio Jr., R-Truth, John Morrison, and CM Punk (w/ Luke Gallows & Sarina) in an Elimination Chamber match to win the title at 35:39; Taker suffered first and second degree burns during his entrance when his pyro caught his jacket on fire; during his entrance, Punk said the four men already in the pods were locked in their own addictions and that they had to deal with being locked in the cage with him; his promo was eventually cut off by R-Truth's entrance; order of entry: Punk, Truth, Mysterio, Jericho, Morrison, and Taker; order of elimination: Punk pinned Truth at 3:35 with a kick to the head and the Go To Sleep after avoiding the Lie Detector; after the elimination, Punk took the mic, said Taker should hope he comes out last because Punk planned to make him tap just like he made him tap before and would prove to Morrison that his rock lifestyle would take him nowhere; Mysterio pinned Punk at 9:59 with a springboard splash following a hurricanrana off the top onto the steel outside the ring; Morrison pinned Mysterio with Starship Pain at 20:02 after blocking a hurricanrana off the top; Taker pinned Morrison at 28:26 after hitting a chokeslam onto the steel outside the ring, then rolling Morrison into the ring for the pinfall; Jericho pinned Taker after Shawn Michaels came up from underneath the steel surrounding the ring and dropped the champion with the superkick; Michaels stared down at Taker during the pinfall and remained staring as the show went off the air

Las Vegas, NV Thomas & Mack Center March 30, 2010 Smackdown - 4/2/10 - Jack Swagger pinned World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho in an impromptu match to win the title with the gutwrench powerbomb at the 10-second mark; prior to the bout, Jericho cut an in-ring promo bragging about his win over Edge at WrestleMania and then discussing Edge hitting the spear on him from the commentary table into the barricade and the fans chanting "Spear" after the fact; moments later, Edge came out and said he wanted an immediate rematch, with Jericho saying Edge lost and would have to go to the back of the line; Edge then attacked the champion, ripping off his jacket and shirt, revealing taped ribs; Edge dropped Jericho with the DDT and followed with the spear; as Edge left ringside, Swagger ran out, hit him with the Money in the Bank briefcase, grabbed the mic, and called for a referee to come out so he could cash in his title shot; referee Mike Chioda eventually ran out and spent several moments clearing the ring, despite Swagger's objections and the fans chanting "Ring the bell;" after the bout, Swagger passed by Edge's body in the aisle, briefly stopping to stare at him (Smackdown: Best of 2009-2010)

Fatal 4 Way 2010 Long Island, NY Nassau Coliseum June 20, 2010 - Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated World Heavyweight Champion Jack Swagger, the Big Show, and CM Punk to win the title in a No DQ, no count-out match at 10:29 by pinning Swagger with the 619 and springboard splash; prior to the bout, Serena & Luke Gallows escorted Punk to the entrance stage; late in the match, Kane came out wheeling a casket ringside; moments later, he tried to put Punk in it, with Gallows then returning and fighting with Kane; Kane then chased Punk & Gallows backstage

Money in the Bank 2010 Kansas City, MO Qwest Center July 18, 2010 - Kane pinned World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio Jr. to win the title in an impromptu match at the 54-second mark with the chokeslam and tombstone

'''TLC 2010 Houston, TX Toyota Center December 19, 2010''' - Edge defeated World Heavyweight Champion Kane, Rey Mysterio Jr., and Alberto Del Rio in a TLC match to win the title at 22:17 after hitting a spear which sent Kane off the apron and through a table on the floor; Mysterio dressed as Gene Simmons for the bout; Ricardo Rodriguez served as Del Rio's ring announcer for the match; late in the bout, Rodriguez tried to climb the ladder but Kane dropped him with a chokeslam

San Diego, CA Sports Arena February 15, 2011 Smackdown - 2/18/11: - Vickie Guerrero stripped Edge of the title for using the spear on Dolph Ziggler the previous week after she ruled the move was banned. After the announcement, Vickie fired Edge after claiming he was behind the attack on Teddy Long.

San Diego, CA Sports Arena February 15, 2011 Smackdown - 2/18/11: - Edge pinned World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler (w/ Vickie Guerrero) to win the title in an impromptu match with the spear at 3:03; prior to the bout, Vickie announced Ziggler as the new World Heavyweight Champion and presented him with the title belt as the crowd chanted "We want Edge;" moments later, Teddy Long walked out and said Vickie had the most to gain from Long's attack, then telling her to shut up when she tried to interrupt; Vickie then blurted out that the attack on Long was all Ziggler's fault, with Long saying he was back in charge, had the power to rehire Edge, and have Edge challenge Ziggler then and there for the title; after the contest, Long came back out and fired Ziggler; moments later, Edge took the mic and, as confetti fell from the rafters, led the crowd in singing "Hey hey hey, goodbye" to Ziggler (Long's surprise return after a month's absence)

- 4/4/11: Edge vacated the title due to a career-ending injury.

Extreme Rules 2011 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum May 1, 2011 - Christian defeated Alberto Del Rio in a ladder match at 21:06 after Edge pulled into the arena in a jeep, distracting Del Rio as Del Rio attempted to take the belt, with Christian then pushing Del Rio off the ladder with Del Rio falling onto Ricardo Rodriguez and Brodus Clay on the floor; moments earlier, Clay interfered as Christian attempted to get the belt, with Christian eventually knocking him to the floor; Rodriguez served as Del Rio's ring announcer for the bout; stipulations stated the winner would earn the vacant World Heavyweight Title; Clay excessively bled as a result of his brief interference; after the match, Edge and Christian celebrated together in the ring

Orlando, FL Amway Center May 3, 2011 Smackdown - 5/6/11: - Randy Orton pinned World Heavyweight Champion Christian to win the title at 17:18 with the RKO as the champion attempted a springboard sunset flip from the middle turnbuckle; after the bout, Orton celebrated in the ring before returning backstage, with Christian then coming to his senses and slowly leaving the ring, repeatedly looking back to the ring as the show ended

'''Money in the Bank 2011 Chicago, IL AllState Arena July 17, 2011''' - Christian defeated World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton via disqualification at 12:19 to win the title when the champion kicked Christian in the groin after Christian spat in Orton's face; stipulations stated the title could change hands on a disqualification; after the match, Orton assaulted Christian and, as referees and Teddy Long tried to prevent him, dropped Christian with a RKO onto the Spanish announce table; moments later, as the crowd chanted "One more time," Orton returned ringside and hit the move a second time on the table; Christian was then helped backstage by referees