The longest-regining United States Champions: Photos | WWE

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Antonio Cesaro has the 10th longest United States Championship reign ever.

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After defeating Santino Marella at SummerSlam 2012 to win the title, Cesaro remained champion for 239 days.

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Before he became The Texas Rattlesnake, Steve Austin was a hot prospect in WCW, capturing the U.S. Championship.

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Austin edges Cesaro's reign out by one day. His 240-day reign puts him at ninth all time.

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Shelton Benjamin defeated Matt Hardy at the 2008 Great American Bash to win the United States Championship.

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Benjamin remained champion for 243 days, the eighth-longest reign in history.

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Ric Flair and Barry Windham are tied for fifth, with reigns of 283 days.

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MVP won the U.S. Title at Judgment Day 2007.

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It was 343 days until someone dethroned him.

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Dean Ambrose defeated Kofi Kingston at Extreme Rules 2013 to win the United States Championship.

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At the moment, Ambrose has held the title for the third-longest period of time. He is also the longest-reigning U.S. Champion in WWE history.

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"Ravishing" Rick Rude defeated Sting just a few weeks into his WCW tenure for the United States Title.

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With the crafty Paul Heyman in his corner, nobody stood a chance against The Ravishing One.

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Rude held the championship for 378 days until an injury forced WCW officials to strip him of the championship.

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Another five-time U.S. Champion, Lex Luger can also lay claim to the longest reign in the title's history.

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Luger defeated Michael P.S. Hayes in May 1989 and remained champion until October 1990.

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His third reign as U.S. Champion lasted an astronomical 523 days.