AEW Women’s Championship Design & History

Celebrating the Journey of AEW’s Women’s World Title

A Championship That Defined AEW’s Promise

When All Elite Wrestling (AEW) launched in 2019, the company wanted to present professional wrestling with a modern, inclusive edge. A key part of that vision was ensuring women’s wrestling would be showcased with dignity, star power, and storytelling. That’s where the AEW Women’s World Championship came into play.

Unlike some promotions where women’s belts have often been treated as secondary, AEW put effort into crafting a championship that would represent legitimacy, prestige, and evolution. From its design to its champions, the AEW Women’s World Championship has become a vital part of AEW’s identity.

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Origins of the AEW Women’s World Championship

The AEW Women’s Championship was first introduced in August 2019, ahead of the debut of Dynamite. The company knew its first women’s champion would carry tremendous responsibility in setting the tone for the division. To crown the inaugural champion, AEW booked a showdown between two wrestlers with vastly different strengths.

On October 2, 2019, during Dynamite’s premiere, Riho, the fast and skilled Japanese sensation, faced Nyla Rose, the dominant powerhouse. In a thrilling clash of styles, Riho emerged as the first AEW Women’s World Champion. Her victory wasn’t just historic—it also symbolized AEW’s commitment to international talent and diversity.

The First Belt Design and Its Features

The inaugural AEW Women’s Championship belt stood out for being smaller in size compared to AEW’s men’s titles. The design was a nod to Japanese wrestling aesthetics, where many women’s belts are crafted to look elegant yet compact.

H4 Smaller but Elegant Layout
The first design featured a golden main plate with intricate detailing and the AEW logo prominently displayed. Unlike flashier belts in other promotions, this one leaned more traditional, with a vintage aesthetic that appealed to longtime fans of joshi wrestling.

H4 Side Plates and Details
The belt’s side plates carried symmetrical patterns, but unlike WWE titles, they weren’t customizable. This gave the belt a timeless, unified look. Its simplicity made it unique, though some fans criticized it for being too small when worn by certain wrestlers.

Champions Who Defined the Title’s Legacy

Over the years, the AEW Women’s Championship has been held by a series of trailblazing wrestlers who brought their own style, charisma, and legacy to the belt.

H4 Riho: The Inaugural Champion
As the first champion, Riho instantly gave the belt credibility. At just 98 pounds, her underdog appeal resonated with audiences worldwide. Her reign proved that size doesn’t define greatness, and she defended the belt in exciting matches that drew attention to AEW’s women’s division.

H4 Nyla Rose: Breaking Barriers
When Nyla Rose captured the title, she made history as the first transgender woman to hold a major U.S. wrestling championship. Her reign symbolized inclusivity and broke barriers in professional wrestling, solidifying AEW’s message of diversity.

H4 Hikaru Shida: The Longest-Reigning Champion
During the pandemic era, Hikaru Shida carried the women’s division with pride. Her reign lasted over a year, making her the longest-reigning AEW Women’s Champion. Shida’s run was filled with hard-hitting matches and international recognition, cementing her as one of AEW’s cornerstones.

H4 Britt Baker, D.M.D.: A Star-Making Reign
When Britt Baker won the championship, she became the face of the division. With charisma, mic skills, and in-ring excellence, Baker elevated the belt’s visibility and made it must-see television. Her reign attracted mainstream attention and expanded the championship’s prestige.

H4 Thunder Rosa: Representing Passion and Grit
Thunder Rosa’s reign was filled with fiery rivalries and passionate storytelling. Her victory over Britt Baker symbolized a new chapter for the women’s division and showcased AEW’s dedication to fresh stars.

H4 Toni Storm, Jamie Hayter, and Beyond
Later reigns by Toni Storm and Jamie Hayter continued the championship’s evolution, giving it international flair and showcasing AEW’s depth of talent. Each champion has added something different, whether it’s star power, technical skill, or pure charisma.

Redesign of the Women’s Championship

As AEW grew, so did the need to redesign the Women’s Championship to make it more proportionate and prestigious.

In 2022, AEW unveiled an updated design, larger and more in line with world championship aesthetics. The new version featured a wider main plate, more detailed engravings, and improved side plates, giving it a grander appearance. This redesign was praised by fans and wrestlers alike, as it elevated the title’s presentation on television.

Comparison to Other Women’s Championships

H4 WWE Women’s Titles vs. AEW Women’s Championship
While WWE’s Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships are larger, glossier, and carry branding heavy elements, AEW’s belt has been more traditional and wrestling-focused. Fans often compare the two, but AEW’s design stands out because of its nod to Japanese and old-school aesthetics.

H4 NWA Women’s World Championship
The AEW Women’s Championship has also been compared to the legendary NWA Women’s Championship, which carries a historic, vintage vibe. AEW’s earlier smaller belt resembled that tradition, while the updated version leaned into modern presentation.

Fan Reactions Over the Years

The AEW Women’s Championship has sparked plenty of discussion among fans.

• Some loved the original’s smaller, elegant look, while others felt it looked more like a midcard belt.

• The redesign received near-universal praise for giving the division a stronger identity.

• Fans consistently praise AEW for booking talented women around the title, making the belt feel important.

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Cultural Impact of the Championship

The AEW Women’s World Championship has become more than a belt—it’s a symbol of opportunity and progress in women’s wrestling. It has represented inclusivity, international talent, and star-making moments that define modern wrestling.

By putting the spotlight on wrestlers like Hikaru Shida, Britt Baker, and Nyla Rose, AEW has proven that women’s wrestling deserves equal prestige. The belt has traveled the globe, been defended in main events, and inspired future wrestlers worldwide.

Why Collectors Value AEW-Inspired Belts

Collectors often chase replicas of AEW’s Women’s Championship because:

1. It symbolizes the birth of AEW’s women’s division.

2. It carries historical value as one of AEW’s first championships.

3. Its redesign reflects AEW’s growth.

4. Owning one represents passion for women’s wrestling.

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FAQs About AEW Women’s Championship

1. Who was the first AEW Women’s Champion?
Riho won the inaugural title by defeating Nyla Rose on Dynamite’s premiere episode in October 2019.

2. What was unique about the original belt design?
It was smaller than most titles, resembling traditional Japanese women’s championships.

3. When was the belt redesigned?
In 2022, AEW unveiled a larger, more prestigious design for the Women’s World Championship.

4. Who is the longest-reigning AEW Women’s Champion?
Hikaru Shida holds the record, reigning for over a year.

5. How many times has the belt been redesigned?
It has had one major redesign since its debut in 2019.

6. Why did fans criticize the original belt?
Many felt it was too small compared to AEW’s other titles, reducing its prestige.

7. Who were some of the most popular champions?
Britt Baker, Hikaru Shida, and Thunder Rosa are considered fan-favorite champions.

8. Where can I buy replica belts like the AEW Women’s Championship?
High-quality replicas inspired by wrestling history can be found at WWFBelt.com.

9. How does the AEW Women’s Championship compare to WWE’s?
AEW’s design leans more traditional, while WWE’s belts are flashier and branding-focused.

10. Why is this belt important to wrestling history?
It symbolizes AEW’s commitment to women’s wrestling and its evolution in mainstream promotions.

Conclusion

The AEW Women’s World Championship has come a long way since its 2019 debut. From Riho’s underdog victory to Britt Baker’s star-making reign and Shida’s historic record, the belt has been at the center of defining moments in AEW history. Its redesign cemented its prestige, and its champions continue to inspire fans around the world.

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