UPDATE: 2024/02/08 14:30 EST BY BENJAMIN VIEIRA

Championships are one of the most important parts of professional wrestling. They give wrestlers something to fight for and have been a part of some of the most important storylines of all time. Some are more memorable than others, like the World Heavyweight Championship or the Winged Eagle WWE Championship. Others are not as liked by fans, like the 24/7 Title or the Universal Championship. However, there are those that do not even get to see television or make it off of paper. Below are some of those titles that never saw the light of day in wrestling.

While an old line is "If it's not broke, don't fix it," that doesn't work for wrestling championship belts. While some fans may prefer these titles to stay the same as their classic versions, sometimes a new version of a title belt can work well. It's tricky to find the right balance of a good design and something bold and some companies like WWE can go a bit far. Still, the track record shows a new belt design can work well and make a title look better than ever.

However, it's notable how many designs have never been seen on TV. A few were just on the drawing board, never put into production but offer some intrigue. However, a bigger deal is belts that were designed and built but never made it to TV. Some came close but never created, from "vanity" belts to legit championships. It's likely fans have never seen these ten championships, but they might have been good ones to finally see on screen.

WWE Cruiserweight Tag Team Titles Never Made It To TV

These Belts Were Intended For 205 Live

• WWE no longer has a cruiserweight division.
• The belts were made but never mentioned.
• It is likely these titles will never be seen again, as Cruiserweight divisions seem to have fallen out of favor in WWE.

It seems amazing that, with so many titles around, WWE has never gotten around to using a pair created years ago. It seems somewhere in the vault is a Cruiserweight Tag Team Title that supposedly was being prepped for 205 Live.

They're pretty unique, not far off from the Cruiserweight Title in the bold design and blue/purple coloring with silver plates. However, these belts never found their way onto programming.

Matt Cardona Made A Second Internet Wrestling Championship

This Version Of The Title Was Seen On House Shows

• Fans did see one version of the Internet Wrestling Title on YouTube.
• It was featured on Z! True Long Island Story.
• Cardona has used the second version on the independent scene.

By now, many know the sad tale of Zack Ryder,(now Matt Cardona on the independent scene) who looked like he was ready to take off into true stardom in 2011. His YouTube show was a hit with viewers and Ryder added to it by creating his own "Internet Wrestling Championship." That included a replica of the WWE Title with a stylized logo featuring Ryder's head.

Some forget that Matt Cardona created a second version of the title, this one featuring a bald head when he was trying a tougher attitude. He had it at some house shows but never used in WWE, yet it's another showcase of Ryder's sadly failed bid for stardom.

The Brahma Bull Belt Built For "The Great One"

It Would Have Been A Perfect Fit For The Rock

• "Stone Cold" Steve Austin had his own WWE Championship belt design.
• Stephanie McMahon showed this unused belt in the WWE Warehouse.
• It has been featured in WWE video games.

Despite rumors and even photos of it, this never made it to TV, which is a shame as it was a great design. After winning the WWE Title in late 1998, the Rock seemed perfect to have his own custom-made title just like Steve Austin had the "smoking skull" belt design.

This was a huge gold head of a bull blaring fire with red eyes, just what the Rock needed.

It was built and even shown by Stephanie McMahon on a show from the WWE warehouse but never made it to TV. It's surprising they didn't try later, as the Rock with his own bull-themed belt would have been great.

The Bolder Eagle Was A Revamped Version Of A Classic

It Was Based On The Winged Eagle Version Of The WWE Title

• The Winged Eagle is a beloved version of the WWE Title.
• It was planned to be used in 2015.
• WWE ended up going with another design instead.

One of the most loved WWE Championship belt designs is the classic "Winged Eagle" version. So when they wanted to revamp the titles in 2015, WWE planned to bring the eagle to life in a new way.

This drawing shows the golden eagle flying out with its claws clutching the WWE logo and seeming ready to attack someone. It's a bold design that might have looked great with the gold and diamonds but never got off the drawing board. It might have been a better fit for the company than the huge WWE logo, but this Eagle never took off.

Ric Flair's "Vegas" Big Gold Belt

The Belt Spawned From An Unusual Situation

• The belt came to be after Ric Flair left WCW.
• WWE created a version of the WCW Title with modifications.
• It disappeared when Flair became WWE Champion.

In 1991, fans were stunned when Ric Flair left WCW and headed to WWE. Thanks to a complex situation, Flair seemed to "own" the classic Big Gold Belt and Bobby Heenan showed it off. When WCW threatened a lawsuit, WWE went ahead to create a near replica of the belt in Las Vegas with enough subtle differences to show it without replicating it.

However, as the lawsuit got messier, the entire thing was dropped with Flair winning the WWE Title. Yet, "The Nature Boy" came close to adding another unique belt to his collection.

A Rated-R Championship For A Rated-R Superstar

Edge's Cancelled Custom Title Was Inspired By The Intercontinental Title

• John Cena introduced his own custom Spinner title in the mid-2000s.
• WWE planned to introduce a title for Edge after he won the WWE Title.
• It was only created on paper.

It should be no surprise that after John Cena's "spinner" WWE Title belt, WWE would keep up the idea of changing the title for various champions. That included Edge, as when he won the belt in 2006, they suggested he have it changed for his own reign. That would mean putting his stylized "R" in the middle of the spinner.

But WWE planned to go a step further with a totally new belt that would have been red and white with a bolder "R" in the center and looking a bit more like the old Intercontinental Title. It never got to the building stages, but it's still fun to imagine the Rated-R Superstar getting his own stylized belt.

WCW Planned To Revamp Titles In 2001

The Big Bang Never Happened

• WCW planned a huge reboot in 2001 called The Big Bang.
• It never happened as WCW was bought out by WWE.
• The titles were ahead of their time, as WWE now puts their logo on the forefront of their belts.

Despite the obvious problems, WCW still thought they were going to keep on going when 2001 began. They were making preparations for a huge revamp of the company in the spring with a PPV called The Big Bang.

That would involve a revamp of all the title belts, making them bolder and dominated by the new WCW logo. In a way, they were ahead of their time given it's not unlike WWE today using the logo in huge plates on their titles. Of course, the company went under before they could be used, but they did show WCW was hoping to continue in the 21st century with a new look.

King Of The Ring Title Was Almost Mabel's

It Was Never Approved By WWE

• Mabel was being pushed by WWE in 1995.
• It was made by legendary championship belt creator Reggie Parks.
• It never made it to WWE television.

This wasn't actually approved by WWE, but still fun. Most will cite Mabel as the worst King of the Ring winner, leading to a terrible push in 1995. However, the guy did come up with the idea of having his own custom-made King of the Ring title belt made.

It was actually pretty good, with the bold PPV logo on the front and the castle design a fun touch. Reggie Parks made it and while never shown on TV as it was unofficial, it's probably the best part of Mabel's entire "reign" and a bit surprising, WWE never tried it for real.

André The Giant's Title Was Custom Built For Him

It Was Designed To Fit André's Waist

• Bobby Heenan spoke about how the WWE Title wouldn't fit the WWE Legend.
• It was created in the build-up to WrestleMania 3.
• It was only seen a couple of times on TV.

WrestleMania 3 will always be remembered for the showdown of Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. WWE really sold the idea Andre could beat Hogan, which included Bobby Heenan boasting about how the regular WWE Title wouldn't fit the huge Andre.

So Heenan showed a custom-made championship belt to fit Andre's waist, the same design as the WWE Title, just three times larger. It was only shown on TV a couple of times before Hogan won the match. They never used it for Andre's 45-second title reign in 1988, so it was a bit of a shame.

Hulk Hogan Photo Championship Was To Commemorate Him

It Was Meant To Build Up Hogan's Fame

• This bizarre-looking belt was introduced in 1989.
• It featured a picture of Hogan in the middle of the title.
• Hogan featured it on a couple of house shows.

Hulk Hogan is known for a bit of an ego, yet this was taking it a bit far. In 1989, after Hogan reclaimed the WWE Title, WWE wanted to play with Hogan's fame by giving him a new version of the WWE Title. It would be much like the old belt with one difference: A plate with Hogan's photo in the center.

A nameplate is one thing, but a photo of the guy in the center of the title is something else. WWE likely realized the headaches of having to swap a new photo with each champion to never have it used beyond a couple of house shows as this would have added to Hogan's unique legacy as champion.