User blog:Michael McKay/Light Heavyweight Championship Pictures

Taka Michinoku Dec. 7, 1997 - Oct. 18, 1998

In the finals of an exciting tournament to name the first-ever WWE Light Heavyweight Champion, Taka Michinoku defeated Brian Christopher. Michinoku went on to hold the title for more than 10 months before losing to Christian.

Christian Oct. 18, 1998 - Nov. 17, 1998

In his first-ever WWE match, Christian defeated Taka Michinoku for the Light Heavyweight Championship at Judgment Day 1998. Christian only held the title for one month before losing it to Gillberg.

Gillberg Nov. 17, 1998 - Feb. 8, 2000

Goldberg wannabe, Gillberg, can boast that he held the Light Heavyweight Championship longer than any other WWE Superstar in history - approximately 15 months. He finally lost the championship in February 2000 to Essa Rios.

Essa Rios Feb. 8, 2000 - March 13, 2000

When Essa Rios defeated Gillberg for the Light Heavyweight Championship in February 2000, many thought Rios would be the future of the exciting division. Rios, however, lost the championship to Dean Malenko a little more than a month later. He made little noise in the division after the devastating loss.

Dean Malenko March 13, 2000 - April 17, 2000

Two time Light Heavyweight Champion Dean Malenko picked up his first reign when he defeated Essa Rios in March 2000. He held the championship for a little over a month before losing it to Scotty 2 Hotty on RAW.

Scotty 2 Hotty April 17, 2000 - April 27, 2000

With his tag team partner, Grand Master Sexay, nursing an injury, Scotty 2 Hotty focused his attention on the Light Heavyweight Championship. Scotty captured the title on the April 17, 2000, edition of RAW. Unfortunately, he only held the title for 10 days, losing it back to Dean Malenko on SmackDown!

Dean Malenko April 27, 2000 - March 15, 2001

Dean Malenko's second-and-final reign as Light Heavyweight Champion came just 10 days after losing the same championship to Scotty 2 Hotty. On an edition of SmackDown!, Malenko defeated Scotty.

Crash Holly March 15, 2001 - April 29, 2001

Known for his greatness in the hardcore division, Crash Holly made a leap over to the light heavyweight ranks when he defeated Dean Malenko for the Light Heavyweight Championship on March, 15, 2001. Crash held the title until April 2001 when he lost it to former ECW standout Jerry Lynn on the Sunday Night HEAT prior to the Backlash pay-per-view.

Jerry Lynn April 29, 2001 - June 7, 2001

Former ECW Champion Jerry Lynn made his presence felt in WWE when he defeated Crash Holly for the Light Heavyweight Championship in April 2001. He only held the championship for a little over a month before losing it to Jeff Hardy.