Nothing defines a champion more in the world of wrestling than a championship belt. Within the past few years, wrestling companies have revealed new titles for the different ranks in their promotions including tag team and mid-card. Some have been eye-catching and others were atrocious to look at. Nonetheless, these titles made their way into the books along with the champions who possessed them.
Whether it was a title that represented the earth or one that simply has the name of the title on a colorful strap, the companies had their hits and misses with titles in the last few years. Grab your replicas and get ready to explore some of the best and worse designs when it comes to championships.
10 United States (Best)
The title lives up to its name with the design of the American flag on the faceplate. The title was present in 1975 under the NWA promotion and is competed for by wrestlers in the mid-card. The title got more recognition when John Cena was defending the title regularly during his run.
The belt is the first title for the current champion and superstar Apollo Crews, however, the longest reign belongs to Dean Ambrose, aka John Moxley, who held the title for 351 days, though the title was rarely defended during his run.
9 Universal Championship (Worst)
The design, more of the color, of the belt wasn't received well by the WWE Universe as it was compared to a fruit roll-up. Since SmackDown moved to FOX, Former champion Bray Wyatt changed the belt color from red to blue to represent the brand. The belt is now the highest title held by current champion Braun Strowman.
The title was created during the brand split when Stephanie McMahon became in charge of RAW and Shane McMahon took control of SmackDown Live. The inaugural champion Finn Balor had to vacant the title due to injury after winning the title at SummerSlam 2017. Since Balor, Kevin Owens, Goldberg, and Brock Lesnar have held the championship.
8 Intercontinental(Best)
Established in 1979, the black and gold design looked similar to the NXT North American championship. In 2011, the belt was redesigned with a white strap and wider face-plate and was used until 2019 when the belt underwent a design change back to black along with a new faceplate that looks similar to the AEW championship.
Though the old design is the most popular, the new look to the title makes it look more prestigious. With the new design, hopefully, the title will be taken more seriously in the mid-card.
7 Cruiserweight (Worst)
The title made its resurgence in 2016 which included a competition to crown the new cruiserweight champion. The belt was hard to look at as it went from the classic black and gold to purple and silver as that became the color choice to represent the cruiserweights.
The belt has had some recent facelifts from the redesign of the plates which now includes the NXT logo as the title is now exclusive to the black and gold brand. The belt has now switched back to black and gold with hints of purple making it easier to look at.
6 Raw/Smackdown Women's Championship (Best)
After switching from the DIVA's championship to the women's championship, the belt from the butterfly design to a title that is similar to that of the men's championship.
The change of the title was important during the women's evolution as female wrestlers wanted to be treated equally to the males. By changing the title, with the difference of a white strap instead of black and the color red for Raw and blue for SmackDown within the plates, it was proof that women's wrestling is being taken more seriously.
5 Women's Tag Team Titles (Worst)
It was thought that the titles would look similar to that of the men's belts but the design is odd. With a white strap and a faceplate that looks like an X with silver and gold with "Tag Team" in the middle.
For years, rumors of tag team championships for the women's division were circulating and everyone got excited when it became a reality. When the belts were revealed, they were not received well by the crowd. To this day, the titles are hardly defended across brands promised mainly because there aren't enough teams in the division.
4 AEW Championship (Best)
The belt is that of something you would see if WCW was still around. Most championships in the early days of wrestling would feature big belts with big faceplates and this title brought the feel of those titles back.
The belt is not just a traditional title, it is covered in more gold than the other promotions. The faceplate does look like an oversized police badge with AEW in the middle but still looks better than the most championships. The belt became more popular after the inaugural champion Chris Jericho reported the belt was stolen and it was found days later on the side of the road.
3 TNT Championship (Worst)
The belt has only been out for a few weeks and already has received negative reviews about how it looks. It looks like the red counterpart of WWE's 24/7 title (more on that in a moment) with a red strap and a silver faceplate with TNT in the middle.
The second title, which is possed for the mid-car, should have a look that makes the possessor look like a champion like the AEW men's and women's or tag team championship. Hopefully down the line, the title undergoes a change that will look better than the current title.
2 Daniel Bryan's WWE Championship (Best)
By far one of the most creative titles to be featured on WWE programming. Following Daniel Bryan's heel turn, he threw the old design of the title in the trash and presented an earth alternative of the championship.
Made out of burlap for the strap, wood with the carving of the WWE logo in the faceplate, and stones in the placement of the diamonds in the original title, the belt fitted the change of the new Daniel Bryan. The belt has sense then been retired after Bryan lost his title match against Kofi Kingston at WrestleMania 35.
1 24/7 Championship (Worst)
The one title that is yet to be taken seriously in WWE is the 24/7 title. The green strapped title with a circular gold 24/7 in the middle was not received well as fans were under the impression during the reveal is was the return of the hardcore title.
Though the rules of the belt are similar to the hardcore title, it doesn't include the same stipulations as the promotion is now PG. The only positive that comes from the title is it allows wrestlers with no direction in the company a chance to have television time.