<P> The championship is generally contested in professional wrestling matches , in which participants execute scripted finishes rather than contend in direct competition . Some reigns were held by champions using a ring name , while others use their real name . The first champion was Buddy Rogers , who won the championship in 1963 . The champion with the single longest reign is Bruno Sammartino with a reign of 2,803 days , while the record for longest combined reign is also held by Sammartino at 4,040 . The current champion is Jinder Mahal , who is in his first reign . He won the championship by defeating Randy Orton at Backlash in Rosemont , Illinois on May 21 , 2017 . </P>
<P> The championship is generally contested in professional wrestling matches , in which participants execute scripted finishes rather than contend in direct competition . Some reigns were held by champions using a ring name , while others use their real name . The first champion was Buddy Rogers , who won the championship in 1963 . The champion with the single longest reign is Bruno Sammartino with a reign of 2,803 days , while the record for longest combined reign is also held by Sammartino at 4,040 . The current champion is Jinder Mahal , who is in his first reign . He won the championship by defeating Randy Orton at Backlash in Rosemont , Illinois on May 21 , 2017 . </P>
what is the longest title reign in wwe history
what is the longest title reign in wwe history
2,803 days
2,803 days