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2) Former Six-Time WWE Champion Hulk Hogan (January 23, 1984 - February 5, 1988)
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After Bruno Sammartino's time on top was over, WWE went through a long transition period where Bob Backlund failed to catch on the same way. Hulk Hogan came into the company from AWA and was thrust into the spotlight. He defeated the Iron Sheik in New York City's Madison Square Garden to win the WWE Championship. This proved to be a landmark moment in wrestling.
Hogan was coming off his appearances in Rocky III and boasted a significant boost in popularity. Vince McMahon pushed the entire WWE promotional machine behind the Hulkster and sold loads of merchandise in the process. The run on top lasted four years with many memorable feuds against the likes of Rowdy Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff and Andre The Giant.
Similar to Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan's first reign as WWE Champion proved to be truly monumental for the company. This took the promotion to the mainstream with Hogan and other stars mixing it up on MTV and with singer Cyndi Lauper. Hogan was in the main event of the first three WrestleManias.
Hulk Hogan's legendary clash with Andre the Giant transpired during this run as well. The bodyslam on the seven-foot mammoth is probably the most replayed highlight in wrestling history. Hogan would go on to hold the title five more times later. It is safe to say that WWE and WrestleMania would not be what they are today without that first WWE Championship reign of Hulk Hogan.
1) Former Six-Time WWE Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin (March 29, 1998 - June 28, 1998)
When thinking about WWE Title reigns that truly changed the superstar, the title and the company, the debate begins and ends with the first WWE Championship run of Stone Cold Steve Austin. In a lot of fans' minds, this kickstarted the most lucrative period in wrestling history, the Attitude Era.
Austin was brought into WWE as the Ringmaster under the management of Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase. This was shortlived before he underwent a character change and became Stone Cold Steve Austin. The events of the Curtain Call led to Austin filling in and winning the King of the Ring crown. He went on to cut the iconic Austin 3:16 promo that sparked his rise to the top.
Stone Cold Steve Austin was in an epic feud with Bret "The Hitman" Hart that was blown off in the incredible Submission Match at WrestleMania 13. The contest turned Austin into a babyface and Hart into a heel. The next year saw Stone Cold's popularity skyrocket and led to his WWE Championship victory over Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 14.
His win escalated the simmering rivalry with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. The feud became the catalyst for WWE's comeback in the ratings during the Monday Night Wars with WCW. Business was at an all-time high during this reign. Austin constantly rebelled against the Chairman's authority and fought a litany of obstacles from McMahon.
Stone Cold found himself in the crossfire of the ongoing war between the Brothers of Destruction, The Undertaker and Kane. Taker would cost Austin the WWE Championship in a First Blood Match at King of the Ring 1998 before Stone Cold won the gold back the next night. He went on to win the title six times in total.
