From classic leatherwork to modern corporate logos, here is a look at the major eras of the Undisputed WWE Championship's style evolution.
The Original WWE Championship (1963-1971):
This championship title was established following WWE's (then known as Capitol Wrestling Corporation) separation from the NWA (which was acting in the role of a governing body for regional wrestling promotions) over a disputed title change- Lou Thesz had won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, but WWE didn't think he would draw money in the northeast territory. Buddy Rogers was proclaimed WWE Champion on April 25, 1963, and was presented as having won a tournament to become the inaugural champion of WWE. His reign ended 22 days later, after being defeated by Bruno Sammartino on May 17, 1963, who would go on to hold the championship for a record-breaking 2,803 days, cementing the title's early legacy as the premier prize of the company.
It should also be noted that this title actually belonged to Buddy Rogers- prior to becoming WWE Champion, he was defending the title as a United States Championship. Not long after Sammartino became WWE Champion, an authentic and official title was commissioned. "WWWF" was written on it, being that the company was known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation at this point
The "Blue Velvet" Title (1971-1972):
This unique championship title is distinguished by its vibrant blue velvet strap with green trim, which is why pro-wrestling fans and title collectors often refer to it descriptively as the "Blue Velvet" WWWF Championship to differentiate it from the black leather titles from that era. The title was held by Pedro Morales, who became champion on February 8, 1971 and held it before the title was replaced with a new design in 1972.
Pedro Morales Title (1972-1983):
This title is sometimes called the "Pedro Morales title," as he was the first champion to use this particular design. The main plate of this championship is notable for featuring a prominent eagle, establishing a fresh look for a new era of the promotion. Morales was champion for a reign of 1,027 days, making him the fifth-longest reigning world champion in the company's history.
The Big Green Title (1983-1984):
The "Big Green Title" is the popular nickname for this iconic design of the WWE Championship title, which was introduced in January 1983. This title design featured a large central plate and several side plates, commemorating previous champions, and is closely associated with the Bob Backlund (the first holder of this title), The Iron Sheik, and especially, Hulk Hogan. This was the first WWE Championship that he held, and his win is a significant moment that has been replayed and referenced frequently, likely more often than many other championship wins due to its historical importance, marking the beginning of Hulkamania.
Hogan Titles (1984-1988):
Hulk Hogan's first WWE Championship reign, which began in January 1984 and lasted 1,474 days until February 1988 and is the third-longest in history to date, saw him carry a series of titles, which were only held by him. The initial title is sometimes referred to as the "Hogan 84", and he later transitioned to another design, often referred to by wrestling fans and collectors as the "Hogan '85", which was an updated version of the WWE Championship title, with "WWF" on it (the company's name at the time). Lastly, he had a title that is often called the "Hogan '86", which had a slightly changed look (which included a globe) and retained a similar overall style to the previous championships.
Winged Eagle (1988-1998):
A favorite title design of many, the Winged Eagle title featured a central plate with a detailed eagle with outstretched wings over a globe, which was fitting, considering WWE significantly expanded its global footprint during this period. Legends who held this title include Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, and The Undertaker.
Big Eagle (1998-2002)
Existing with the edgy "Attitude Era," this title was a larger, bolder version of its predecessor. The title retained the eagle but featured a heavier plate and a more aggressive look. It became synonymous with the anti-establishment champion of the time, Steve Austin.
This title also briefly existed in a personalized "Smoking Skull" version for him, reflecting Austin's rebellious persona.
The Undisputed Championship (2002-2005):
This title represented the unification of the WWE Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship, which occurred when Chris Jericho won both championships in December 2001 in a "Unification" match, becoming WWE Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion. After his win, Jericho would carry both physical titles. He was defeated for the championship by Triple H at WrestleMania X8 in March 2002, and the Undisputed Championship title made its first appearance the next month. The title featured a black strap with a simpler gold plate design.
The Spinner Titles (2005-2013):
One of the most financially successful designs, this title was customized for John Cena and featured a large, central WWE logo that could physically spin. Due to it being a huge revenue driver for the company in terms of merchandise sales, WWE ultimately decided to keep it as the company's official title design until 2013. In fact, custom, similarly designed titles associated with Edge and The Miz were created during their reigns as WWE Champions during this period.
The Logo Title (2013-Present)
The first version of the current WWE Championship title design, which prominently features the WWE logo and focuses on the brand, was introduced in 2013, during The Rock's eighth reign as WWE Champion, in a segment on a February 2013 episode of, "Raw".
In 2023, a new version of this title was introduced, with the text "UNDISPUTED CHAMPION" replacing "CHAMPION" at the bottom, due to Roman Reigns unifying the WWE Championship with the WWE Universal Championship in a "Winner Takes All" match at WrestleMania 38 in 2022. After he carried both physical titles into the next year, the new title (named the, "Undisputed WWE Universal Championship" at that time) was presented to him by Triple H to congratulate Reigns on surpassing 1,000 days as champion.
The traditional side plates are replaced with customizable plates that feature the current champion's individual logo, being a mobile billboard for the star's personal brand.
The Undisputed WWE Championship's evolution into a brand-focused title mirrors the shift in WWE itself- going from its days of being a wrestling federation to becoming a global entertainment and integrated media company. The modern title is both a prestigious versatile asset built for a digital world as WWE maintains its multi-platform domination, and the title also continues to have value as a merchandise-driver as a part of the company's merchandise branding and other diversified revenue streams.
No comments:
Post a Comment