Inaugural World Champions of major pro wrestling promotions

#1. WWE Championship - Buddy Rogers

Buddy Rogers was the first-ever WWE Champion

WWE recognises Buddy Rogers as their first world champion, having (supposedly) won a tournament in Rio de Janeiro to capture the title in 1963. What really happened was that WWE owners Vince McMahon Sr. and Toots Mondt cut their ties with the NWA, of which the WWE was a part of.

Rogers was actually the NWA Champion, but the NWA booking committee had decided to have him drop the title to Lou Thesz. McMahon opposed the decision, feeling that Thesz would not draw in New York, the primary WWE territory. When it became clear that the NWA wasn't going to budge, McMahon decided not to recognise the title change and had the WWE leave the NWA.

Rogers was presented with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (pre-WWE) title at a house show in Washington. He would hold on to the title for just a month, before losing to Bruno Sammartino. Sammartino brought prestige to the championship, defending the belt for a ridiculous 2803 days.

In hindsight, it seems a mistake that Sammartino wasn't the original champion, but Rogers was supposed to have a longer run with the belt. However, he started having health issues and McMahon decided to put the title on the 28-year-old Sammartino, who beat Rogers in 48 seconds at a New York house show.