WWE Flashback Friday: 43 Years of the U.S. Championship

Step back in time, and relive some of the most exciting matches and moments during WWE Flashback Friday.

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43 Years of the United States Championship
The lineage of the WWE United States Championship began in January 1975, when Harley Race became the inaugural champion as a member of the Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling roster. Since that historic reign, the U.S. Championship has been recognized by the NWA, WCW and eventually WWE. No other active title boasts such a unique and storied history, and WWE Flashback Friday is taking you on a journey through time for some of the championship’s most memorable moments.

Featured Moments
Starrcade 1985

Relive a brutal Steel Cage "I Quit" Match for the U.S. Title pitting Magnum T.A. vs. Tully Blanchard.
Watch on demand

NWA Championship Wrestling, July 18, 1987
Lex Luger and Nikita Koloff compete for the United States Heavyweight Title in a Steel Cage Match.
Watch on demand

NWA Championship Wrestling, Sept. 24, 1988
Catch NWA in-ring action and a special interview with United States Champion Barry Windham.
Streaming at 3 p.m. ET | Watch on demand

Clash of the Champions XVII
"Ravishing" Rick Rude challenges Sting for the United States Heavyweight Championship.
Streaming at 4 p.m. ET | Watch on demand

Great American Bash 1995
Sting battles Meng for the United States Championship.
Watch on demand

WWE Main Event, Episode #76
The World’s Strongest Man Mark Henry looks to take home the U.S. Championship as he tries to induct Dean Ambrose into the Hall of Pain.
Streaming at 6 p.m. ET | Watch on demand

WCW Monday Nitro, Episode #105
Curt Hennig challenges Steve McMichael for the WCW United States Championship in the main event.
Watch on demand

WCW Monday Nitro, Episode #136
Goldberg looks to extend his undefeated streak when he takes on Raven for the United States Championship.
Watch on demand

Monday Night Raw, Episode #1153
While Kevin Owens looks on, Cesaro accepts John Cena's United States Title Open Challenge as they face off in an incredible match.
Streaming at 7 p.m. ET | Watch on demand

Monday Night Raw, Episode #1168
John Cena defends his United States Championship against Dolph Ziggler.
Watch on demand

SmackDown, Episode #936
Kevin Owens' reign as United States Champion is threatened when the self-proclaimed "New Face of America" defends his title against AJ Styles and a returning Chris Jericho in a Triple Threat Match main event.
Streaming at 9:30 p.m. ET | Watch on demand

Don't miss these upcoming WWE Flashback Fridays:
Football Stars in the Squared Circle (Fri., Feb. 2)
Valentine's Day/WWE Weddings (Fri., Feb. 9)
Hail to the Chief: WWE Presidents (Fri., Feb. 16)
WWE Network Turns Four (Fri., Feb. 23)

Check out past WWE Flashback Fridays:
20 Years of D-Generation X: Parts 1 & 2 (Fri., Aug. 11 and Fri., Aug. 18)
SmackDown Turns 18 (Fri., Aug. 25)
38 Years of Intercontinental Glory (Fri., Sept. 1)
WCW Nitro 22-Year Anniversary (Fri., Sept. 8)
20 Years of Goldberg (Fri, Sept. 15)
Cruiserweight Classic Marathon (Fri., Sept. 22)
Bruno’s Birthday Celebration (Fri., Sept. 29)
Today in History (Fri., Oct. 6)
WWE's Friday the Thirteenth (Fri., Oct. 13)
Happy Birthday to The Bad Guy (Fri., Oct. 20)
Halloween Weekend (Fri., Oct. 27)
22 Giant Years of The Big Show (Fri., Nov. 3)
WWE's American Veterans (Fri., Nov. 10)
Setting the Thanksgiving Table (Fri., Nov. 17)
Thanksgiving: Part 2 (Fri., Nov. 24)
27 Years of The Undertaker (Fri., Dec. 1)
WWE's Shortest Title Reigns (Fri., Dec. 8)
'Tis The Season: Part 1 (Fri., Dec. 15)
'Tis The Season: Part 2 (Fri., Dec. 22)
Celebrating the New Year (Fri., Dec. 29)
Debuts and Firsts: January Edition (Fri., Jan. 5)
Monday Night Raw: Year One (Fri., Jan. 12)
Three Years of WWE Network in the U.K. (Fri., Jan. 19)

Watch the opening segment to WWE Flashback Friday, exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network.

With more than 9,000 hours of on-demand programming, WWE Network is the only place to experience some of the biggest moments in sports-entertainment history.

New WWE Network subscribers: Sign up now and get your first month free.

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