The Best WWE Championship Feuds That Lasted Over a Year

WWE is known for its larger-than-life characters, intense rivalries, and unforgettable moments, with many feuds spanning months, if not years. Some of these rivalries are so compelling that they become the backbone of the company’s programming, keeping audiences eagerly awaiting each match. Championship feuds that last over a year are rare, but when they do occur, they tend to be iconic. These feuds aren’t just about wrestling; they also revolve around personal animosities, emotional storytelling, and the quest for the ultimate prize in professional wrestling: the WWE Championship.

This explores four of the most significant WWE Championship rivalries that lasted over a year, exploring their impact on the company, the characters involved, and the lasting memories they created for fans.

1. John Cena vs. Randy Orton (2007–2009)

The John Cena vs. Randy Orton feud is one of WWE’s longest-running rivalries, with its roots dating back to 2007. Both Cena and Orton were at the peak of their careers, with Cena representing the face of WWE and Orton as the dangerous and cunning antagonist. This feud became a key storyline in WWE programming, as the two exchanged the WWE Championship multiple times, each time escalating the stakes.

What made this rivalry special was not just the length of the feud but the personal animosity that developed between the two characters. Orton’s arrogance and devious nature clashed perfectly with Cena’s never-give-up attitude, making every encounter between the two feel personal. Over the course of their rivalry, they faced off in several high-profile matches, including the infamous “I Quit” match at Breaking Point in 2009, which was a culmination of their bitter feud.

Both men battled at the top of the card for years, with their championship matches consistently being the focal point of WWE programming. The lasting impact of this feud is undeniable, as it defined an entire era of WWE’s storytelling and solidified both Cena and Orton as two of the most iconic WWE superstars of the 2000s.

2. Triple H vs. The Rock (1998–2000)

The rivalry between Triple H and The Rock was one of the most prominent storylines of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Although they had a series of matches throughout the late ’90s, it wasn’t until 1998 that the two superstars began their long-running feud over the WWE Championship. What began as a friendly competition quickly turned into a bitter and personal rivalry, with both men fighting for the top spot in WWE.

Triple H, who was part of the DX faction at the time, and The Rock, who was making his transition from a heel to a fan favorite, clashed over the coveted WWE Championship. This feud reached its peak at WrestleMania 2000, where the two men, along with Big Show, competed in a Fatal 4-Way Elimination match for the WWE Championship. Though their rivalry didn’t last consistently throughout the entire year, it was a defining period for both wrestlers, with each match escalating their personal feud and establishing them as two of WWE’s biggest stars.

Their storylines outside the ring added depth to their championship battles, including memorable segments like The Rock’s “This is your life” promo and Triple H’s inclusion in the McMahon family’s ongoing saga. This feud was instrumental in the company’s growth during the Attitude Era, bringing both men to superstardom and creating some of the most memorable moments in WWE history.

3. CM Punk vs. John Cena (2011–2012)

One of the most intriguing rivalries in recent WWE history was the feud between CM Punk and John Cena, which spanned over a year and became one of the most talked-about rivalries of the 2010s. The feud began in the summer of 2011, when CM Punk delivered his famous “pipe bomb” promo, which criticized WWE, its management, and its top stars, including Cena. The promo, which was one of the most real and unscripted moments in WWE, set the stage for a feud that would redefine the company’s direction.

The WWE Championship was the focal point of the rivalry, with Punk claiming that he was the true face of WWE, while Cena argued that he was the company’s foundation. Their matches, especially at Money in the Bank 2011 and SummerSlam 2011, were nothing short of spectacular. Punk’s emotional return and his victory at Money in the Bank, where he won the WWE Championship in his hometown of Chicago, set the stage for one of the most heated and personal rivalries in WWE history.

Their feud continued into 2012, with multiple encounters that kept the fans engaged. Punk, who had become a more dominant heel figure, was the antagonist, while Cena remained the heroic figure. The rivalry was important for WWE, as it marked the transition from the Cena-centric era to a time when other stars like Punk could rise to the top and share the spotlight.

4. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns (2015–2016)

The feud between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns is one of the most intense and well-remembered WWE Championship rivalries in recent years. This battle of two powerhouses began in 2015 when Lesnar, the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion, faced Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 31. Their first encounter was electric, with Reigns, the rising star, trying to take the title from the dominant Lesnar. The match ended in controversial fashion, with Seth Rollins cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase to win the championship, but the rivalry between Lesnar and Reigns was far from over.

Over the next year, their feud became one of the most compelling storylines in WWE, culminating in a rematch at WrestleMania 32, where Reigns finally defeated Lesnar for the championship. Their feud lasted over a year, and during this time, WWE fans were treated to some incredible battles between the two. The rivalry featured brutal matches, intense brawls, and moments of high drama, with both men pushing each other to their limits.

This feud helped Reigns into the main-event status that WWE had been aiming for, despite initial backlash from fans. Lesnar, on the other hand, solidified his legacy as one of the most dominant champions in WWE history. Their rivalry was essential in shaping WWE’s direction, as it pushed Reigns to the top, ultimately leading to his role as one of the company’s most dominant figures in the years that followed.

Final Thoughts

WWE Championship feuds that last over a year are few and far between, but when they do occur, they leave a lasting impression. The rivalries between John Cena and Randy Orton, Triple H and The Rock, CM Punk and John Cena, and Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns are among the most memorable in WWE history. Each of these feuds was built on a foundation of personal conflict, incredible in-ring action, and emotional storytelling, making them stand the test of time. These rivalries not only shaped the WWE but also helped define the careers of the wrestlers involved, cementing their legacies as some of the greatest to ever step foot in the ring.