These facts highlight the rich history and evolution of WWE Championship belts, which have become iconic symbols of excellence and achievement in the world of professional wrestling.
Creation of the WWE Championship:
The WWE Championship, initially known as the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship, was created in 1963 when Buddy Rogers was awarded the title by Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) founder Jess McMahon.
Winged Eagle Design:
One of the most iconic WWE Championship belt designs is the Winged Eagle, introduced in 1988. It became synonymous with the WWE during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Dual-Plated Design:
The WWE Championship belts often feature a dual-plated design, with both gold and silver plating. This design adds a prestigious and regal appearance to the belts.
Customized Side Plates:
Modern WWE Championship belts feature customized side plates, allowing champions to personalize their titles with their logos, catchphrases, or other symbols of significance.
Undisputed Championship:
The Undisputed WWE Championship was introduced in 2001, unifying the WWE Championship and the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Chris Jericho became the inaugural Undisputed Champion by defeating The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin in a single night.
Spinner Belt:
In 2005, John Cena introduced the "Spinner" WWE Championship belt, featuring a unique spinning center plate with the WWE logo. This design became synonymous with Cena's reign as WWE Champion during the mid-2000s.
Big Gold Belt:
The "Big Gold Belt" was introduced as the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and later adopted by WWE. It became one of the most prestigious titles in professional wrestling history, with numerous iconic champions holding it, including Ric Flair, Sting, and Triple H.
The Rock's Brahma Bull:
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson introduced a unique WWE Championship belt featuring a Brahma Bull logo during his reign as champion. This design reflected The Rock's persona and became highly sought after by fans.
Women's Championship Belts:
The WWE Women's Championship underwent several redesigns over the years. In 2016, WWE introduced the Women's Championship belt, featuring a white strap and a gold-plated center plate adorned with the WWE logo.
24/7 Championship:
Introduced in 2019, the WWE 24/7 Championship features a unique design with a green strap and a gold-plated center plate. Unlike traditional titles, the 24/7 Championship can be defended anytime, anywhere, as long as a WWE referee is present.
These facts highlight the rich history and evolution of WWE Championship belts, which have become iconic symbols of excellence and achievement in the world of professional wrestling.