Question About Wrestling Belts – History and Significance?

[nabikaw]

Hey everyone,

I’ve always been curious about the history and importance of wrestling championship belts. I know they represent titles in various promotions, but I’m wondering when wrestling belts first became a thing?

Also, are there any belts considered more prestigious or iconic than others?

I’ve heard the WWE Championship and NWA World Heavyweight Title have deep histories, but I’m interested in learning about other well-known or unique belts from around the world.

Appreciate any info or opinions you can share!

 

[nabikaw]

Hey everyone,

I’ve always been curious about the history and importance of wrestling championship belts. I know they represent titles in various promotions, but I’m wondering when wrestling belts first became a thing?

Also, are there any belts considered more prestigious or iconic than others?

I’ve heard the WWE Championship and NWA World Heavyweight Title have deep histories, but I’m interested in learning about other well-known or unique Wrestling Belts from around the world.

Appreciate any info or opinions you can share!

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Pippen94]

Growing up the most prestigious championship was actually three belts, which was the all Japan triple crown. That company had the highest quality of in-ring work & a style of booking where each match built of the previous match, meaning wrestlers would need to out do previous finishers. The three titles were (from memory because it's more fun than google but may be wrong) nwa united nations, nwa international & pacific wrestling federation titles. In the 80's each of these titles were around the waist of the company's three stars in giant baba, jumbo & tenryu. They were unified to create an ultimate champion.

 

[shiznit]

I didn’t watch the Japanese stuff growing up that was too niche for me…

it was more the mainstream stuff from the US for me.

The big titles for me growing up were the winged eagle WWF world title and the big gold WCW world HW title…

not the big gold belt from the territory days as that was before my time… same goes with the NWA title that was before my time also.

I don’t really know what the hell the titles are now… between the WWE undisputed and the World HW title I think they are trying to tie them back into those two titles but think those ships have sailed IMO.

my favourite titles were always the mid card titles… the IC title in WWF and the US and Cruiserweight titles in WCW. Even the TV title was pretty fun for abit in WCW.

but the IC title especially… that was the workers title… the one that was you had to work your ass off to get on your way to the big one… unless you’re UW… lol.

but the great workers made that title for me… just so many great matches and also great feuds… Steamboat v Savage, Bret vs Piper, Bret vs Perfect, Bret vs Bulldog, Razor vs HBK, Austin v Owen Hart, Austin v The Rock(in the nation), HHH v The Rock…

that title often carried the shows…