June 27, 2004 - April 3, 2005
For years, JBL competed in WWE as a member of one of the toughest teams in tag team history - the APA. However, very few people thought that a successful singles career was in his future. Those people were wrong. In the early parts of 2004, JBL revealed to the sports entertainment world that he was a successful businessman outside the ring. He then used his riches to purchase a white stretch limo with bullhorns on the hood, and began wearing expensive suits. He broke away from his longtime partner Faarooq and started a winning streak like no other. It wasn't long after going single that WWE officials were forced to give him a shot at the WWE Championship. JBL took full advantage of his opportunity at The Great American Bash pay-per-view when he defeated Eddie Guerrero in a Texas Bullrope Match.
JBL would hold onto the WWE Championship for over 9 months, becoming the longest running WWE Champion in over a decade. JBL's time ran out at WrestleMania 21, when John Cena hit an F-U to claim the gold.