Grand Slam (professional wrestling)
The Grand Slam Championship is an accomplishment in professional wrestling. It is a distinction made to a professional wrestler who has won four specific championships or all available championships within a promotion. National promotions that recognize this include World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Notable Independent promotions include Florida Championship Wrestling. The four titles typically feature three levels of singles championships and a tag team championship. These singles championships include a primary, secondary, and tertiary championship. As a result, a Grand Slam Champion is also inherently a Triple Crown Champion, which consists of only two levels of singles titles (primary and secondary) and a tag team title.
WWE
In WWE (formerly the World Wrestling Federation and World Wrestling Entertainment) the term "Grand Slam Champion" was originally used by Shawn Michaels to describe himself upon winning the European Championship on September 20, 1997. Michaels previously held the WWF Championship, Intercontinental Championship, and the Tag Team Championship with Diesel.[1]
In May 2001, the then WWF.com indicated that the Hardcore Championship was an acceptable substitute for the European Championship in the Grand Slam. Kane, who had defeated Triple H for the Intercontinental Championship at Judgment Day on May 20, 2001,[2] was acknowledged as a Grand Slam Champion as he had "become the only superstar in World Wrestling Federation history that has held the Intercontinental title as well as the Hardcore, Tag Team and WWF titles".[3][4]
In April 2006, Kurt Angle was noted as being a former Grand Slam Champion on WWE.com, having won the WWE, WWE Tag Team, Intercontinental, and European Championship, indicating that WWE considers the WWE Tag Team Championship to be an acceptable substitute for the World Tag Team Championship.[5] In August 2007, WWE.com published an article listing Shawn Michaels' championship reigns that completed the Grand Slam Championship. They included the WWE, World Heavyweight, World Tag Team, Intercontinental, and European Championship. The inclusion of the World Heavyweight Championship indicated that WWE considers the title to be an acceptable substitute for the WWE Championship in completing the Grand Slam.[1]
At ECW One Night Stand in 2006, Rob Van Dam became the first superstar acquired by WWE after the purchase of World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling in 2001 to complete the Grand Slam when he defeated John Cena for the WWE Championship. Booker T became the second star acquired by the purchase to complete the Grand Slam when he defeated Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship at The Great American Bash (2006). Booker has held the World Tag Team, Intercontinental, and Hardcore titles.[6]
Following WrestleMania 31 in 2015, WWE established a new version of the Grand Slam - consisting of the four currently active titles in WWE, which are the WWE World Heavyweight, Intercontinental, United States, and WWE Tag Team Championships. Six wrestlers have been recognized as Grand Slam winners under these new parameters (including three who were already recognized as Grand Slam winners under the original guidelines). WWE only includes United States Championship reigns occurring in WWE as part of the Grand Slam. This is evidenced by only factoring in Eddie Guerrero's 2003 reign, and not his 1997 reign while in World Championship Wrestling (WCW)[7]
As of August 12 2024, 15 wrestlers have been recognized as WWE Grand Slam winners under its various incarnations. 9 have won only the original one, 3 have won both, and 3 have won only the new one.
WWE Grand Slam Champions
Tables' guide:
| Text | |
|---|---|
| Championships in italics | The title is an alternate title in the original Grand Slam format. |
| Dates | A date indicates the wrestlers first reign with that championship. |
| Dates in bold | The date the wrestler became a Grand Slam champion. |
| Names in bold | Indicates Grand Slam winner under both formats. |
| Dates in italics | The wrestler has won that title, but does not contribute to their Grand Slam because they had already won the Grand Slam or they had already won a title at the same level. |
| Grey box | Indicates future attainments are not possible |
| Light blue box | Indicates future attainments are still possible |
| Colors | |
| Won all Grand Slam eligible titles under the original format. | |
| Won title as a member of the Raw brand. | |
| Won title as a member of the ECW brand. | |
| Won title as a member of the SmackDown brand. | |
| Won title either before the brand extension or after its discontinuation. | |
Original format
| Champion | Primary Championships | Tag Team Championships | Secondary Championship | Tertiary Championships | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WWE | World Heavyweight |
World Tag Team |
WWE Tag Team |
Intercontinental | European | Hardcore | |
| Shawn Michaels[1] | March 31, 1996 | November 17, 2002 | August 28, 1994 (with Diesel) |
December 13, 2009 (with Triple H) |
October 27, 1992 | September 20, 1997 | Title defunct |
| Triple H[8] | August 23, 1999 | September 2, 2002 | April 29, 2001 (with Stone Cold) |
December 13, 2009 (with Shawn Michaels) |
October 21, 1996 | December 11, 1997 | Title defunct |
| Kane[3][4] | June 28, 1998 | July 18, 2010 | July 13, 1998 (with Mankind) |
April 19, 2011 (with Big Show) |
May 20, 2001 | Title defunct | April 1, 2001 |
| Chris Jericho[9] | December 9, 2001 | September 7, 2008 | May 21, 2001 (with Chris Benoit) |
June 28, 2009 (with Edge) |
December 12, 1999 | April 2, 2000 | May 28, 2001 |
| Kurt Angle[5] | October 22, 2000 | January 10, 2006 | Title defunct | October 20, 2002 (with Chris Benoit) |
February 27, 2000 | February 8, 2000 | September 10, 2001 |
| Eddie Guerrero | February 15, 2004 | Deceased | Deceased | November 17, 2002 (with Chavo Guerrero) |
September 5, 2000 | April 3, 2000 | Deceased |
| Rob Van Dam[6] | June 11, 2006 | Title defunct | March 31, 2003 (with Kane) |
December 7, 2004 (with Rey Mysterio) |
March 17, 2002 | July 22, 2002 | July 22, 2001 |
| Booker T | Not yet attained | July 23, 2006 | October 30, 2001 (with Test) |
Not yet attained | July 7, 2003 | Title defunct | May 4, 2002 |
| Jeff Hardy[10] | December 14, 2008 | June 7, 2009 | June 29, 1999 (with Matt Hardy) |
Not yet attained | April 10, 2001 | July 8, 2002 | July 10, 2001 |
| John "Bradshaw" Layfield[11] | June 27, 2004 | Retired | May 25, 1999 (with Faarooq) |
Retired | March 9, 2009 | October 22, 2001 | June 3, 2002 |
| Christian[12] | Not yet attained | May 1, 2011 | April 2, 2000 (with Edge) |
Not yet attained | September 23, 2001 | October 30, 2001 | March 17, 2002 |
| Big Show | November 14, 1999 | December 18, 2011 | August 22, 1999 (with The Undertaker) |
July 26, 2009 (with Chris Jericho) |
April 1, 2012 | Title defunct | February 25, 2001 |
New format
| Champion | Primary Championship | Tag Team Championship | Secondary Championship | Tertiary Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WWE World Heavyweight (previously WWF) |
WWE Tag Team | Intercontinental | United States | |
| Kurt Angle[7] | October 22, 2000 | October 20, 2002 (with Chris Benoit) |
February 27, 2000 | October 22, 2001 |
| Eddie Guerrero[7] | February 15, 2004 | November 17, 2002 (with Chavo Guerrero) |
September 3, 2000 | July 23, 2003 |
| Edge[7] | January 8, 2006 | November 7, 2002 (with Rey Mysterio) |
July 24, 1999 | November 12, 2001 |
| Big Show[7] | Noverber 14, 1999 | July 26, 2009 (with Chris Jericho) |
April 1, 2012 | October 19, 2003 |
| The Miz[7] | November 22, 2010 | November 16, 2007 (with John Morrison) |
July 23, 2012 | October 5, 2009 |
| Daniel Bryan[7] | August 18, 2013 | September 16, 2012 (with Kane) |
March 29, 2015 | September 19, 2010 |
Candidates
There are 9 men who wrestled in WWE in the last 8 months that are one title away from becoming a Grand Slam Champion.
requiring the Intercontinental Championship:
- The Undertaker (O)
- John Cena (N)
requiring the United States Championship:
- Chris Jericho (N*)
- Kane (N*)
- Triple H (N*)
requiring the WWE World Heavyweight Championship:
- Billy Gunn* (O)
- Goldust (O)
- Kofi Kingston (N)
- Road Dogg* (O)
- Dogg and Gunn last wrestled January 2015 and have since taken on roles as trainers.
(O) - eligible for a Grand Slam under the original format
(N) - eligible for a Grand Slam under the new format
(N*) - Grand Slam winner under the original format who is also eligible for a Grand Slam under the new format
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
The first Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) Grand Slam champion was crowned on March 15, 2009 at TNA's Destination X pay-per-view event. At said event, then three-time TNA Triple Crown champion A.J. Styles defeated Booker T for the TNA Legends Championship. On the March 19 episode of TNA's primary television program, TNA Impact!, announcer Mike Tenay stated that Styles had become the first TNA Grand Slam champion by capturing the World Heavyweight (NWA or TNA), World Tag Team (NWA or TNA), TNA X Division, and TNA Legends Championships (later renamed to Global, Television, and currently the King of the Mountain Championship).[13][14]
TNA Grand Slam Champions
The following is a list of TNA Grand Slam Champions with dates indicating when the wrestler first won the respective championship. Under TNA's definition of the Grand Slam Championship, wrestlers are eligible to be a multiple Grand Slam champion each time they complete a new circuit. On July 3, 2014, TNA Executive Director Kurt Angle retired the TNA Television Championship, which limits the number of potential TNA Grand Slam Champions to former Legends/Global/Television Champions. However, on June 28th, 2015, TNA reactivated the championship as the TNA King of the Mountain Championship, thus allowing the potential of new Grand Slam Champions.
Thus far, only A.J. Styles has won the Grand Slam on more than one occasion, as well as being the only one to have held every eligible championship to qualify for the Grand Slam.
Wrestlers who are 1 title away from a TNA Grand Slam include:
- Robbie E requires the TNA World Heavyweight Championship (as the NWA World Heavyweight Championship is no longer under TNA control).
- Kurt Angle and Austin Aries require the TNA King of the Mountain Championship.
| Champion | Primary Championships | Tag Team Championships | Secondary Championship | Tertiary Championship | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NWA World Heavyweight |
TNA World Heavyweight |
NWA World Tag Team |
TNA World Tag Team |
TNA X Division |
TNA Legends/Global/Television/KOTM | |
| A.J. Styles (2 times)[13] | June 11, 2003 | September 20, 2009 | July 3, 2002 (with Jerry Lynn) |
October 14, 2007 (with Tomko) |
June 19, 2002 | March 15, 2009 |
| Abyss | November 19, 2006 | February 4, 2004 (with A.J. Styles) |
September 19, 2014 (with James Storm) |
May 16, 2011 | January 9, 2011 | |
| Samoa Joe | N/A | April 13, 2008 | N/A | July 15, 2007 (no partner) | December 11, 2005 | September 27, 2012 |
| Eric Young | N/A | April 10, 2014 | October 12, 2004 (with Bobby Roode) |
May 4, 2010 (with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) |
December 7, 2008 | October 18, 2009 |
| Text | |
|---|---|
| Championships in italics | The title is an alternate title from the original definition of a Grand Slam Championship. |
| Dates | A date indicates the wrestlers first reign with that championship. |
| Dates in bold | The date the wrestler became a Grand Slam champion. |
| N/A | Indicates no future reigns possible due to the title no longer being under TNA control. |
IWA Puerto Rico
IWA Grand Slam Champions
In IWA, a Grand Slam Champion is a wrestler who has won the IWA Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship, IWA Intercontinental Championship, IWA World Tag Team Championship, IWA Hardcore Championship and IWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship.[15]
| Champion | Primary Championship | Tag Team Championship | Secondary Championship | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IWA Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship | IWA World Tag Team Championship | IWA Intercontinental Championship | IWA Hardcore Championship | IWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship | |
| Chicano | April 8, 2005 | January 6, 2004 (with Stefano) |
May 18, 2002 | August 23, 2002 | March 2, 2002 |
Florida Championship Wrestling
FCW Grand Slam Champions
In FCW, a Grand Slam Champion is a wrestler who has won every championship that was available in FCW.[16] All FCW titles were retired when FCW changed its name to NXT Wrestling.
| Champion | Primary Championship | Tag Team Championship | Secondary Championship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Heavyweight Championship | Florida Tag Team Championship | Jack Brisco 15 Championship | |
| Seth Rollins | February 23, 2012 | March 25, 2011 (with Richie Steamboat) |
January 13, 2011 |
| Richie Steamboat | July 25, 2012 | March 25, 2011 (with Seth Rollins) |
January 13, 2012 |
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Shawn Michaels". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
He would also become the first-ever WWE "Grand Slam"d Tag Team Title gold.
- ^ "Kane's first reign". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ a b "WWF.com Headlines". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2001-05-26. Archived from the original on 2001-05-26. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
In a rare interview with WWF.com, Kane discussed the chain match Sunday at Judgment Day and his feelings on being the only "Grand Slam Champion" of his variety.
- ^ a b "Big Red Grand Slam". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
- ^ a b "Kurt Angle..." WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
While most fans of this former Grand Slam Champion...
- ^ a b "Rob Van Dam". wwe.com. Archived from the original on 2008-03-31. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
At ECW One Night Stand 2006, Rob Van Dam became the only person out of ECW, after its 2001 purchase to become a WWE Grand Slam Champion. At WWE Great American Bash 2006, Booker T became the second
- ^ a b c d e f g "6 Superstars who have won every active title: Photos". WWE. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ "Triple H". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
Such dedication has provided him with the fortitude to become a Grand Slam champion.
- ^ "Nikki Sixx and Courtney Bingham at the Premiere of "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne"".
- ^ Marcus Müller. Der Kleine Wrestling-Almanach 2010: - Nordamerika - (in German).
- ^ "JBL Milesone 04-05-09". WWE. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
- ^ Paul White. 101 Things You May Not Have Known About World Wrestling.
His vast collection of titles made him the 23th Triple Crown Champion and the 11th Grand Slam Champion.
- ^ a b "Total Nonstop Action Wrestling presents: TNA Impact!". TNA Impact!. 2009-03-19. Spike TV.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help) - ^ Boutwell, Josh (2009-03-20). "Impact results - 3/19/09". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2009-03-21.
- ^ "IWA". 2009-03-19.
- ^ "Seth Rollins' Bio". 2009-03-19.