.png)
Greatest Championship Belts | Roundtable
- PWMusings Collaboration
- 14 hours ago
- 13 min read
Welcome to the #PWMRoundtable, a discussion where Pro Wrestling Musings contributors weigh in on their views on some question or topic in Pro Wrestling. These conversations will range from the serious to the silly and from the latest controversy to questions from deep in wrestling history. Anything pro-wrestling related is fair game, the only limitations being that the debate remain friendly and that we bring some insight that makes it worth your time as a reader
This week, we have sections on their favorite Championship belts from Peter, Sergei, and Sam P... plus quick takes from our returning founder Craig. Welcome back! Our moderator organizing it all this week, as well as writing a section, is our friend from the AEW Match Guide podcast Sam B (aka Sir Sam.)
A page of links to prior installments may be found here: #Roundtable
We'd love for this and any and all of our content to be the beginning of a conversation with our readers. To interact with any and all of our contributors please accept our invitation to join the Pro Wrestling Musings Community Discord.
The Championship Belts Roundtable
moderated by Sam B.
Pro wrestling is a sport with an inordinate focus on the straps of metal and leather that are meant to hold your pants up. Wrestlers dedicate their careers to collecting them, and fans endlessly debate over whose pants they should hold up next or should have held up in the past.
Thinking about them does raise a serious question, what makes a great championship belt?
Is Jon Moxley right, that championship belts are just metal and leather, and what matters is what they represent? Or do the aesthetics matter? Is the glory of the crown tied to how brightly it shines?
For our first Pro Wrestling Musings Roundtable we thought we would debate it:
What Is the Best (or at least your favorite) Championship Belt in Wrestling History?
The Winged Eagle
by Peter.
To say that modern WWE is the worst image of capitalism you can think of is an understatement and the perfect encapsulation of that is the current WWE Championship belt. The WWE logo being tramp stamped onto a piece of leather for the purpose that it would make something more sellable at Toys ‘R Us is why nice things can't happen any more folks!
It was telling that when Cody Rhodes came out to the ring for his match against Kevin Owens on the first edition of the reboot of Saturday Night’s Main Event in 2024 with a modified version of the WWF Title that the champ wore from 1988 to 1998, a lot of nostalgia-filled praise was published on social media platforms commenting on the event.
What would become known as Winged Eagle made its debut on the biggest night that the World Wrestling Federation had to date, when Hulk Hogan faced Andre the Giant on a show called Main Event on NBC in an eagerly-awaited rematch from WrestleMania III.
The introduction of Winged Eagle would also be involved in one the great continuity errors in wrestling television history.
A television audience of 33 million people would see Hulk Hogan come to the ring with a brand new spanking belt round his waist. Moments before, Hulk had the belt that he had worn the previous year around his waist in what was an obvious pre-tape.
“Hogan 1987” was the third different belt (fourth if you count a special belt made for Hulk in 1986) that Hogan wore in his 1,474 day reign. The reason for the regular changes to the hardware held by the World Wrestling Federation Champion has never been spoken about by people working for the WWF. But, whatever reason there was for the changes, that didn’t apply to what became known affectionately as “Winged Eagle” as it would be seen on WWF television for the next decade.
Why is it so beloved by people who muse about the industry? Fans now aged 36-46 who grew up on a diet of Fed-ism grew up on the belt that they were told was the most prestigious in wrestling. The belt – designed by Reggie Parks, a wrestler out of Alberta, but best known as the industry’s premier belt designers – its eagle’s wings dominating the gold and silver centre piece coming out of the globe positioned at the centre, gave it a regal look that the oversized logos of today that are only there to boost profit margins just don’t have. (Is it obvious that I find the current Big Logo belt to be disgusting?)
When the Attitude Era came to being, a change of belt would happen, with the last night we would see Winged Eagle being the night after WrestleMania XIV when Austin swapped it with the new belt, which would be known as “Big Eagle”.
That belt, with a continuation of the eagle theme, has a case for being a Top Ten on the all-time list of belts and The Undisputed Title that was an imprint on the main event scene on Smackdown from 2002-2005 is an underrated design as well – but they are just not Winged Eagle.
Yes I am in the 36-46 age range so by law I have to love Winged Eagle, but can you blame me? It’s the most aesthetically pleasing belt in wrestling history. While AEW’s Big Platinum belt is a beautiful representation of excess, and making the case that bigger can be better and V4 of the IWGP Heavyweight is just gorgeous, there is something about Winged Eagle that sets it apart.
It’s the right dimensions of a World Title, it’s big enough to look great on a 230-300 lbs sized man. Its regal look is perfect for a wrestler with the skillset of a Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels or a Bret Hart. It’s a belt for its time and also an example that as loud and brash as the presentation of the World Wrestling Federation was in its Hulk-a-mania and New Generation days, an understated prize such as Winged Eagle looked like it was tailor-made for the scene.
Quick Takes:
Sergei: I was all ready to say something like "it looked kind of like a toy, and yet was made iconic by how hard the icons fought for it." But I'm just now realizing that all along the belt I've been thinking of is the "Big Eagle" that replaced this one and was fought over by the likes of Austin, Rock, and Mankind!
Sam B: I campaigned for one of the pics to be the Shawn Michaels Playgirl pic with the Winged Eagle but was told this is a classy establishment.
Craig: This is a nice belt… But... (whispers: It’s over mythologised because most WWE belts are awful…)
The Ten Pounds of Gold
by Sergei.
In the world of professional wrestling "ten pounds of gold" is a phrase to conjure by. Often it's been confused to be a term meant for any world title… or for any version of the NWA World Championship. But it specifically refers to the version of the Heavyweight belt introduced in 1973, awarded to Harley Race immediately before he then lost it to kick off Jack Brisco's first World title reign.
It was designed by an unknown Mexican jeweler on the model of other NWA titles already being defended in Mexico, such as the World Welterweight championship made famous by El Santo. The collection of 8 different championships gathered in the Super J Cup of 1994 includes that very similar-looking belt.
First of all, it must be said that the physical belt itself is simply a beautiful object: with a gleaming globe centerpiece and side-pieces showcasing five different flags – all symbolizing that this championship represents the whole world, not just any one nation or promotion.
On top of that, no other title has had such a long (if not uninterrupted) run of relevance, and been part of so many iconic moments spanning the decades. This was the prize battled over by Terry Funk, Dusty Rhodes & Ric Flair throughout the 70s and early 80s, immortalized in the Apter mags.
Retired by Big Gold in the late 80s, the Ten Pounds was revived in '92 when NWA and WCW finally split, just in time for Shane Douglas to throw it to the ground as irrelevant to begin the age of Extreme.
After a decade in the wilderness, that same belt returned to prominence as the top prize of TNA, with "Suntan Superman" Ron Killings becoming the first Black NWA champ in 2002. In 2005, Raven fulfilling his self-proclaimed destiny to hold the Ten Pounds was the highlight of the first Slammiversary. A year later, Sting joined a very exclusive club, becoming the third and last man after Flair and Dusty to hold both the Big Gold and Ten Pounds forms of the NWA Heavyweight Championship.
After splitting off from TNA, the title went into obscurity again, until purchased by rocker, wannabe wrestling promoter, and full-time weirdo Billy Corgan in 2017… Although the Corgan NWA has since gone sadly far astray, it started out strong with some amazing moments like the heartwarming story of wrestling teacher Tim Storm's one last shot at glory, and Cody Rhodes capturing the same title his father had helped make immortal at the first All In.
Many wrestling belts are beautiful, but in my opinion none are more beautiful. Many wrestling belts have been part of iconic moments, but certainly none as many, as varied, or over as wide a span of time as the legendary Ten Pounds of Gold.
Quick Takes:
Sam B: I've always thought the NWA title looked weird. There is so much history and symbolism, don't get me wrong, but the weird bulgy knob on it, the proportions of the strap to the inserts, even the shape of the faceplate seems so basic. A very important belt historically but I couldn't call it a favourite.
Craig: Sometimes less is more and this is a lovely smart belt. It’s a shame recent mismanagement of the NWA brand has diminished it so much. It would really benefit from a Tony Khan bail out.
Big Gold
by Sam B.
There are a few things that come to mind when I’m thinking about what makes a great World Championship belt; however the first and most important one to me is ‘how does it look?’. That may seem vain but ultimately what is the point of a crown if it doesn’t make you look like a king?
In that regard, there has never been a better-looking belt than Big Gold. It has perfect proportions, the not quite circular but rounded shape of the face plate, a black strap that perfectly outlines the gold, the beautiful detailing, subtle gemstones and no tacky company logo in the middle, just the simple words: ‘World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion’. There is a timelessness to its classic design, like they pulled it out of the ruins of the site of the original Greek Olympics or the Roman Colosseum. You can’t miss it, but it still has an air of class.
Beyond the gorgeous aesthetics, we all know what Big Gold represents. When Vince McMahon’s cartoon show was chasing after toy trinkets, the best wrestler in the world Ric Flair was defending Big Gold. This belt isn’t just a beautiful belt, it is the designation of the true best pro wrestler in the world.
Sure it had some hard times over the years but this is a belt so beautiful even a can of spray paint, David Arquette and 00s WWE cannot hide its shine.
Quick Takes:
Sergei: Love what you said about it looking "pulled from the ruins… of the Roman Colosseum," Sir Sam – it really does look like something ancient gladiators would fight for.
Craig: The quintessential wrestling World Champion image is either Hogan with the Winged Eagle or Ric Flair with Big Gold. To me the imagery is much more regal and ‘champion-ly’ with the latter.
AEW World Championship
by Sam P.
It sometimes can be underappreciated the importance of imagery when it comes to championships. While there are definitely painful examples of championships looking simplistic, cartoonish, or just plain ugly, the impact of a beautiful looking, or evocative championship that perfectly represents the division or company can be a massive game changer in terms of drawing an audience in. It doesn’t even have to be high quality, as the original WWF Hardcore Championship was broken and ugly, but was excellent at conveying to the audience that this was going to be a messy, violent division, and the 24/7 aspect even added to the almost rushed look of the title, making it just as memorable for audiences nearly 30 years later.
I include this mention and explanation to try and set the scenery and context for 25th May, 2019, during the inaugural AEW Double Or Nothing Pay-Per-View. Fans were already aware that an AEW World Championship was in the makings, with the Buy-In featuring a 21-Man Casino Battle Royale to announce one contender for the World Title, with the other contender to be decided in a main-event match between Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho. The question was whether the fans would get to see the World Title. So imagine their confusion when British Comedian Jack Whitehall appeared in videos to announce the matches for the title, and hinted at showing up to the PPV itself to reveal it. Why Whitehall, surely that’s not the sort of choice for AEW to demonstrate itself as an alternative, a more serious wrestling company?
And then on the night, Jack Whitehall introduced Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart, to the shock and happiness of an adoring crowd, the man who helped define serious wrestling, storytelling and respecting the intelligence of the audience – all the aspects that AEW wanted to represent. Coupled with appearances from MJF and ‘Hangman’ Page, two relative homegrowns who have become tremendous representatives of the AEW World Title, it was the sight of Hart holding aloft the AEW World Championship that left audiences in awe, with Jim Ross even claiming “Now that is a strap”.
The AEW World Championship is almost a love letter to several historical titles, firstly the Big Gold Belt discussed above, the frontal plate large and golden, demonstrating richness and power, the classic NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship that highlighted multiple countries around the world on extra plates, symbolising its relevance beyond just American shores, and elements of the WWE Title, with its branding central and easily recognisable. By combining three historical and beloved styles, AEW’s World Championship instantly had a timeless beauty to it, and created a sense of cultivation on behalf of all superstars, and even looking at the list of successful champions, every single one has an aura of being among the best in the world, thanks to this gorgeous championship. It says everything about the respect and reputation earned by the championship that even a custom design attempt by MJF couldn’t damage its legitimacy.
Quick Takes:
Sam B: Pretty Platinum has grown on me. I didn't love the proportions and how chunky it looks when I first saw it. It is now one that I love for what it has come to represent. I will say though, you missed a trick here by not just writing down the Jon Moxley post-Brawl Out promo word for word.
Craig: A very good belt. They seem to have been going for a modern remaking of Big Gold. I’d argue that the Women’s World Championship is the superior design.
Sergei: @Craig: It's very cool to hear you give some love to a Women's belt. Sir Sam has proposed we do "Worst Belts" as a sequel to this sometime, but I notice that ALL of our choices have been not JUST only Men's belts, but also only Men's Singles World Heavyweight division belts. Another option for a sequel to this would be Favorite OTHER division belts. I hate to give Corgan more credit, but as much as he has become a right-wing crank, he and I seem to have a lot in common when it comes to aesthetics, cause my favorite Women's belt is probably the original Mildred Burke belt that he revived in 2021:
I love how it ups the ante from "Oh, you have a nameplate? We have a cameo photo of the champ!"
IWGP Heavyweight Championship V4
by Sam B.
There is no greater argument that it isn't the belt that makes the man, but the man makes the belt, than the fourth version of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, the title that sat at the top of perhaps the greatest era of wrestling we have seen: 2010s New Japan Pro Wrestling.
The list of V4 holders is as exclusive of a club as you'll find in pro wrestling, starting with the rockstar Shinsuke Nakamura, Keiji Mutoh, perhaps its greatest holder Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi, Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima, Kazuchika Okada, AJ Styles, Tetsuya Naito, Kenny Omega, Jay White, EVIL (I guess every belt has at least one) and Kota Ibushi.
It isn't just who held the belt either, it is what they did as holders of the title. When Hiroshi Tanahashi was creating his legacy as the greatest babyface ever it was with V4 around his waist, when Kazuchika Okada had the greatest championship reign of the decade it was as the holder of V4, when Kenny Omega became the best big match wrestler we've seen it was in matches chasing V4, and when the company reached its high water mark, packing out the Tokyo Dome two nights in a row for the Double Gold Dash, it was all about Tetsuya Naito finally claiming the V4 on wrestling's biggest stage.
This is a nice looking belt, don't get me wrong, but the reason the title's legend is so strong that its return is a key pillar of NJPW’s 2026 rebuilding effort, is because of what it meant when the company was at its peak.
You can write about aesthetics, gold and gemstones all you want (and lord knows I did for Big Gold) but no other belt outshines V4 and its legacy of excellence, and this list would not be complete without it.
Quick Takes:
Sergei: You make a great case for the wrestlers and moments making a belt iconic more than the design. But for me the counterpoint is the ROH title: so many amazing wrestlers and matches and moments are associated with that championship. Samoa Joe! American Dragon! CM Punk! But nobody even suggested it for this list because, unfortunately, the damn thing was just ugly!
Craig: This belt with around the waist of Tanahashi, Okada, Styles or Omega with NJPW’s presentation of their World Champions is my favourite of all mentioned in this article. Personal bias? Hard to refute. But what we’re discussing here is how belts add to the presentation of the idea of a World Champion. The v4 IWGP Heavyweight Championship is as beautiful a belt as the others AND it has been treated with the utmost respect by that company (as long as we ‘Men-in-Black away’ the cursed v5 attempt).
Thanks for taking the time with us to go over our favourite belts. We've got plenty more of these roundtables coming, including best commentators, an All In special and this piece’s sister, the worst belts ever, where we get to walk through the Hall of Shame of belt designs. In the meantime, jump on social media and let us know what you think is the best championship belt of all time.