4) Former 13-Time WWE Champion John Cena (April 3, 2005 - January 8, 2006)
John Cena is in the conversation for the greatest WWE Champion of all time. He has won the richest prize in the company more times than anyone with 13 reigns and stands at fourth all-time for combined days as champion. With a legacy like that, it might be difficult for one reign to stand out from another. However, Cena's first run with the gold might have been his best.
John Cena defeated JBL to win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21. It was an impressive reign that followed, kicking off with a bloody I Quit war against JBL at Judgment Day 2005 before successful defenses against Chris Jericho, Christian and Kurt Angle. Cena's reign ended spectacularly with Edge cashing in the Money In The Bank contract for the first time ever at New Year's Revolution.
3) Former Two-Time WWE Champion Bruno Sammartino (May 17, 1963 - January 18, 1971)
Bruno Sammartino was widely considered the professional wrestler who helped build Madison Square Garden. During the early years of the WWE in the 1960s, he was the face of the company. This all started with his first run on the mountaintop of the World Wide Wrestling Federation. Sammartino defeated "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers to win the gold at the May 17, 1963 Madison Square Garden house show.
This run with the WWE Championship helped Bruno Sammartino become a household name and celebrity. It also helped the WWE become a ticket-selling success in the New York City market. This elevated the title in a major way and established the foundation for which its prestige would be built on.