John Cena's Historic Grand Slam Triumph and WWE's Elite 18
Wow, as a lifelong WWE fan, I still can't believe what I witnessed last night on Raw! John Cena finally achieved Grand Slam champion status by defeating "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship right here in his home state. This monumental moment caps off an incredible 21-year journey for Cena, making him the 18th wrestler to join this exclusive club. It's thrilling to see such history unfold live, especially in 2025, when WWE feels more dynamic than ever. But let's dive into what makes this so special—starting with the evolution of the Grand Slam itself. You might be thinking, "What exactly is a Grand Slam in WWE?" Well, People Also Ask: How has the criteria changed over the years? I'll break it down for you.
Grand Slam status is the pinnacle of WWE success, requiring wins across specific title tiers. Back in 1997, the original rules were straightforward: you needed a world title (like WWE or World Heavyweight), a secondary title (Intercontinental), a tertiary title (say European or Hardcore), and a tag team title. Only 12 superstars made it under this system, including legends like Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle. But things shifted big time by 2015 with new belts introduced, like the Universal title, and old ones retired. Now, the current criteria demand:
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🏆 A world title (WWE or Universal)
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🥈 Both secondary titles (Intercontinental and United States)
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🤝 A tag team title (Raw or SmackDown)
This revamp meant some past champs, like Triple H and Rob Van Dam, got bumped off the list because they never held a U.S. title. Fast forward to today, and we've got 18 elite names who've conquered this challenge. Let's explore their journeys with some epic visuals to bring it to life.
First up, Kurt Angle—talk about speed! He's the undisputed fastest to achieve it, taking less than two years. Angle started with the Intercontinental title in 2000 and wrapped it up with a tag team win in 2002. His story is a masterclass in dominance.
On the flip side, Rey Mysterio had the longest grind at nearly 17 years, finally sealing the deal with his U.S. title win in 2019. His path was packed with cruiserweight battles and tag team glory alongside Eddie Guerrero. Now, People Also Ask: Who are all the Grand Slam champions? Here's a quick rundown of key figures:
| Champion | Time to Achieve | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|
| Kurt Angle | Under 2 years | Won WWE title from The Rock in 2000 |
| Eddie Guerrero | Under 3 years | Defeated Brock Lesnar for WWE title in 2004 |
| Seth Rollins | First in 2018, second in 2022 | Only two-time champ alongside The Miz |
| Roman Reigns | Just over 4 years | Beat The Miz for IC title in 2017 |
| John Cena | 21 years | Ended with IC win in 2025 |
Moving on, Chris Jericho's route was pure chaos—he took 16 years, beginning and ending with secondary titles. Remember that infamous 1999 match against Chyna? Jericho pulled off a stunner to grab the IC belt.
Then there's AJ Styles, a phenomenal talent who made history as the first to achieve Grand Slams in both TNA and WWE. His 2021 tag team win with Omos at WrestleMania 37 was legendary. Edge's story? It's all about drama—cashing in Money in the Bank on a battered John Cena in 2006 to snag his WWE title and seal the Slam.
People Also Ask: What records do these champs hold? Well, Cena now has the record for longest gap between first and last title (21 years), while Angle's lightning speed remains unmatched.
Now, let's not forget Randy Orton's 14-year odyssey. He started with the IC title in 2003 and finished with the U.S. belt in 2018—talk about patience! His Wyatt Family tag reign added a dark twist to his legacy.
And Seth Rollins? He's revolutionary, becoming a rare two-time Grand Slammer with his 2022 U.S. title run. But it all comes back to Cena. His journey began in 2004 with the U.S. title, hit highs with 17 world titles, and culminated last night. Defeating Dominik Mysterio was poetic—it felt like passing the torch. 
As a fan, I'm buzzing about what's next. People Also Ask: Will there be more additions soon? With talents like Dominik rising, it's possible. But here's my burning question for you: Among these 18 legends, who truly stands as the greatest of all time, and why? Let's debate—I'm all ears! 🎉
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