The WWE United States Championship is a professional wrestling championship in the American promotion WWE. It was originally known as the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship and began as a regional championship created by and defended in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling. Following the title's introduction in 1975, Harley Race became the inaugural champion on January 1. In March 2001, the United States Championship became a title for the then-WWF (now WWE). The championship is contested in professional wrestling matches, in which participants execute scripted finishes rather than contend in direct competition. Overall, there have been 81 different champions. Ric Flair (pictured) holds the record for having the most reigns at six, while John Cena holds the record for most reigns under the WWE banner at five. Lex Luger's third reign is the longest by any champion, at 523 days. The current champion is Alberto Del Rio, who is in his first reign. (Full list...)