Every Foreign WWE Champion , Ranked Worst To Best, WWE news
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Albeit the WWE Championship is the top award of the greatest American wrestling advancement , the WWE is a global power with inescapable love and allure all over the planet . With this scope , it has implied that a wide exhibit of people from various pieces of the planet have become WWE Champion . RELATED : WWE : Every Current Grand Slam Champion , Ranked By The Number Of Title Reigns There have been a few unfamiliar WWE Champions throughout the long term , however some have been definitely more effective than others with regards to their title rule . On occasion anyway , extraordinary unfamiliar grapplers have had disappointing reigns , with there being a gigantic combination in quality . Note : Despite being brought into the world in Spain , Kane is viewed as an American , and Chris Jericho is thought of as an American - Canadian because of him being brought into the world in the States , so neithe be incorporated here . Andre The Giant Andre The Giant is one of the most unbelievable grapplers ever , with the French symbol being the most outstanding large man in history . Anyway , when it came to the WWE Championship , he didn't have a lot of karma . With simply a particular rule that endured only minutes , Andre surrendered the title to Ted DiBiase . Andre merited much better than only this rule , as it sadly makes him quite possibly of the most exceedingly awful boss in the belt's set of experiences . Stan Stasiak Unfortunately for Stan Stasiak , his experience as WWE Champion is among the most limited reigns in the title's set of experiences . Brought into the world in Canada , Stasiak turned into the fourth non - American WWE Champion in succession , which was very amazing , considering that Buddy Rogers was the just local champion to that point . Stasiak went about as a momentary hero between Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino , holding the title for only 9 days . Ivan Koloff Many fans might feel that Ivan Koloff came from Europe , given his moniker of the " Russian Bear " , and while this was all a trick , he did in any case come from abroad , being brought into the world in Canada . Koloff has the standing of being the very first temporary WWE Champion , after he incredibly deposed Bruno Sammartino in quite possibly of the most stunning outcome in wrestling history . Anyway , his rule endured just 21 days , however he figured out how to guard the title a considerable amount in that time . Jinder Mahal Although Mahal's personality has been centered around his Indian legacy , he is really a Canadian . The main explanation Mahal positions over an other previous bosses is because of the length of his rule , and his earnest attempts on the receiver . Anyway , Mahal holds the standing being one of the most horrendously terrible bosses of a time because of his past status as a middleman prior to bringing home the championship , notwithstanding a few poor matches and quarrels against any semblance of Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura . Alberto Del Rio Whilst Alberto Del Rio has two separate rules as WWE Champion , neither of his runs with the belt were significant the least bit , with the spotlight being somewhere else whenever he was on top . In spite of WWE's earnest attempts at making him a top Mexican star , Del Rio simply never clicked with the fans . His in - ring work was exceptionally strong , having major areas of strength for some against John Cena and CM Punk , yet as far as being an extraordinary hero , Del Rio was a long way from it . Iron Sheik Although the unfamiliar heel trick is unbelievably obsolete in cutting edge wrestling , The Iron Sheik involved this contrivance as somebody brought into the world in Iran to become truly outstanding of the 1980s , going about as the ideal adversary " Real American " legend , Hulk Hogan . RELATED : 5 Wrestlers Outside WWE That Can One Day Be WWE Champions ( and 5 That Never Will ) Sheik wouldn't hold the WWE Championship for a really long time however , with simply a one - month rule holding the title . Sheamus is the solitary Irish - conceived WWE Champion , and he addressed his home country in an extraordinary manner during his three rules holding the organization's top award . In his youngster year in WWE , Sheamus amazingly brought home the WWE Championship from John Cena , which is up there with the greatest surprises ever . While his rules weren't excessively lengthy , he reliably performed well in his job as a top heel . Kofi Kingston WWE's most memorable African - conceived Champion had a brilliant excursion to winning the belt . Ghanaian came out on top for the championship in a fantastic WrestleMania match and continued to hold it for coveral months
it for a considerable length of time . With how inadequately his rule finished , this run as champion has become very misjudged , as it included a few in number matches against any semblance of Kevin Owens , Randy Orton , AJ Styles , and Daniel Bryan . Drew McIntyre Drew McIntyre is one of the most vital WWE Champions all time , as he assisted with bringing the organization through the pandemic somewhere in the range of 2020 and 2021 , and his rule will probably be thought back on undeniably more affectionately in the years to come . Pedro Morales McIntyre ended up being quite a good example and legend during this time , and his rule as WWE Champion ( on two events ) highlighted areas of strength for numerous and minutes , even with no fans in participation . The Scottish - conceived hotshot's story from being discharged to becoming hero is a splendid story , making his title rule mean a lot more . 0 Pedro Morales had the qualification of being the man decided to fill the shoes of Bruno Sammartino following his seven - year title rule , and while he didn't exactly arrive at that level , the Puerto Rican did a damn steady employment . For north of 1000 days , Morales held the WWE Championship , with him turning into a tremendous fan number one , and giving a valiant effort to satisfy crazy hopes , with him being the new legend . Edge Throughout the last part of the 2000s , Canadian - conceived Edge turned into the main heel in WWE , assisting with conveying the organization all through the progress into the PG Era , with him supreme as WWE Champion on a few events . Edge was a splendid heel champion , having extraordinary quarrels against any semblance of John Cena and Jeff Hardy over the WWE Championship He is a characterizing name of that time , and while might be more inseparable from the World Heavyweight Championship , he was a noteworthy WWE Champion as well . Bret Hart Bret Hart is a genuine Canadian legend , with this affection helping through to an overall crowd who believe him to be among the best in - ring gifts ever . Hart is a five - time WWE Champion , and he helped bring the organization through the 1990s particularly when Hulk Hogan was missing . RELATED : Every Former WWE World Champion In AEW , Ranked By Their AEW Career ||| Hart has had endless exemplary matches with regards to the WWE Championship , doing combating any semblance of Shawn Michaels , Steve Austin , and Owen Hart on the whole - time centers . Bruno Sammartino Born in Italy , Sammartino immediately turned into an enormous wrestling legend in America , and he was the second ever WWE Champion , overcoming Buddy Rogers . This rule incredibly for more than seven years , as he turned into a remarkable person . Sammartino would have a subsequent rule , enduring four years . He was an impetus for the WWE turning into a sensation , and he is still maybe the greatest draw ever , holding the belt for an aggregate eleven years , which is something that won't ever be finished from this point onward .
Although the WWE Championship is the top prize of the biggest American wrestling promotion , the WWE is an international power with widespread love and appeal around the world . With this reach , it has meant that a wide array of individuals from different parts of the planet have become WWE Champion . RELATED : WWE : Every Current Grand Slam Champion , Ranked By The Number Of Title Reigns There have been several foreign WWE Champions over the years , though some have been far more successful than others when it comes to their title reign . At times however , great foreign wrestlers have had underwhelming reigns , with there being a huge mixture in quality . Note : Despite being born in Spain , Kane is considered an American , and Chris Jericho is considered as an American - Canadian due to him being born in the States , so neithe be included here . Andre The Giant Andre The Giant is one of the most legendary wrestlers of all time , with the French icon being the most notable big man in history . However , when it came to the WWE Championship , he didn't have much luck . With just a singular reign that lasted a matter of minutes , Andre gave up the title to Ted DiBiase . Andre deserved far better than just this reign , as it unfortunately makes him one of the worst champions in the belt's history . Stan Stasiak Unfortunately for Stan Stasiak , his time as WWE Champion is among the shortest reigns in the title's history . Born in Canada , Stasiak became the fourth non - American WWE Champion in a row , which was quite surprising , given that Buddy Rogers was the only homegrown titleholder to that point . Stasiak acted as a transitional champion between Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino , holding the title for just 9 days . Ivan Koloff Many fans may think that Ivan Koloff came from Europe , given his nickname of the " Russian Bear " , and whilst this was all just a gimmick , he did still come from overseas , being born in Canada . Koloff has the reputation of being the first ever transitional WWE Champion , after he sensationally dethroned Bruno Sammartino in one of the most shocking results in wrestling history . However , his reign lasted only 21 days , though he managed to defend the title quite a lot in that time . Jinder Mahal Although Mahal's character has been focused on his Indian heritage , he is actually a Canadian . The only reason Mahal ranks over some other former champions is due to the length of his reign , and his best efforts on the microphone . However , Mahal holds the reputation being one of the worst champions of an time due to his previous status as a jobber before winning the title , in addition to several poor matches and feuds against the likes of Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura . Alberto Del Rio Whilst Alberto Del Rio has two separate reigns as WWE Champion , neither of his runs with the belt were memorable in the slightest , with the spotlight being elsewhere anytime he was on top . Despite WWE's best efforts at making him a top Mexican star , Del Rio just never clicked with the fans . His in - ring work was very solid , having some strong matches against John Cena and CM Punk , but in terms of being a great champion , Del Rio was far from it . Iron Sheik Although the foreign heel gimmick is incredibly outdated in modern day wrestling , The Iron Sheik used this gimmick as someone born in Iran to become one of the best of the 1980s , acting as the perfect foe " Real American " hero , Hulk Hogan . RELATED : 5 Wrestlers Outside WWE That Can One Day Be WWE Champions ( & 5 That Never Will ) Sheik wouldn't hold the WWE Championship for too long though , with just a one - month reign holding the title . Sheamus Sheamus is the first and only Irish - born WWE Champion , and he represented his home nation in a great way during his three reigns holding the company's top prize . In just his rookie year in WWE , Sheamus shockingly won the WWE Championship from John Cena , which is up there with the biggest upsets of all time . Whilst his reigns weren't overly long , he consistently performed well in his role as a top heel . Kofi Kingston WWE's first African - born Champion had a wonderful journey to winning the belt . Ghanaian won the title in an incredible WrestleMania match and proceeded to hold it for coveral months
it for several months . With how poorly his reign ended , this run as champion has become quite underrated , as it featured several strong matches against the likes of Kevin Owens , Randy Orton , AJ Styles , and Daniel Bryan . Drew McIntyre Drew McIntyre is one of the most pivotal WWE Champions all time , as he helped to carry the company through the pandemic between 2020 and 2021 , and his reign will likely be looked back on far more fondly in the years to come . Pedro Morales McIntyre proved to be one hell of a role model and hero during this time , and his reign as WWE Champion ( on two occasions ) featured many strong matches and moments , even with zero fans in attendance . The Scottish - born superstar's story from being fired to becoming champion is a brilliant tale , making his title reign mean so much more . 0 Pedro Morales Morales had the distinction of being the man chosen to fill the shoes of Bruno Sammartino following his seven - year title reign , and whilst he didn't quite reach that level , the Puerto Rican did a damn good job . For over 1000 days , Morales held the WWE Championship , with him becoming a huge fan favorite , and doing his best to live up to insane expectations , with him being the new hero . Edge Throughout the late 2000s , Canadian - born Edge became the number one heel in WWE , helping to carry the company throughout the transition into the PG Era , with him reigning as WWE Champion on several occasions . Edge was a brilliant heel champion , having great feuds against the likes of John Cena and Jeff Hardy over the WWE Championship He is a defining name of that era , and whilst may be more synonymous with the World Heavyweight Championship , he was a memorable WWE Champion too . Bret Hart Bret Hart is a true Canadian hero , with this love carrying through to a worldwide audience who consider him to be among the greatest in - ring talents of all time . Hart is a five - time WWE Champion , and he helped carry the company through the 1990s especially when Hulk Hogan was absent . RELATED : Every Former WWE World Champion In AEW , Ranked By Their AEW Career ||| Hart has had countless classic matches when it comes to the WWE Championship , battling the likes of Shawn Michaels , Steve Austin , and Owen Hart in all - time clinics . Bruno Sammartino Born in Italy , Sammartino quickly became a huge wrestling hero in America , and he was the second ever WWE Champion , defeating Buddy Rogers . This reign stunningly for over seven years , as he became a living legend . Sammartino would have a second reign , lasting four years . He was a catalyst for the WWE becoming a sensation , and he is still perhaps the biggest draw of all time , holding the belt for a collective eleven years , which is something that will never be done again .
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