The Complete History of the WWE Championship - Part 11

The Rock (July 21, 2002 - August 25, 2002)

The Rock captured a record seventh title in a thriller at Vengeance 2002

The Rock became the first wrestler to win seven WWE Championships at Vengeance on July 21, 2002.

It was a superlative match-up between Rock, Kurt Angle and Undisputed Champion, The Undertaker. At the time it was the finest triple threat match WWE had ever produced. Rock's record title win was acknowledged on commentary.

Rock's title quest attracted 375,000 orders, which surpassed the 320,000 buys the A-show, King of the Ring had pulled a month earlier. However, despite the impressive box office, Rock's title reign could not last.

The Rock had to exit WWE once again for commitments in Hollywood and thus had to drop the Undisputed Championship.

WWE decided that Rock should put over their rising star, rookie Brock Lesnar.

Lesnar had won the King of the Ring tournament the previous month and was unbeaten ever since he debuted on the post-WrestleMania X-8 Raw.

The build-up to SummerSlam, headlined by Rock versus Brock had a true sports feel, with WWE screening videos of both men in training for the bout.

At SummerSlam, Rock did his duty and laid down for the Next Big Thing. Rock would not win another WWE Championship for a decade.