View Full Version : The Belt Thread
found this pretty interesting, stealing/copy and pasting word for word/pic for pic from a poster named Rule One on the fan forum. Will update the thread as he goes along
NWA World Heavyweight Title
First Belt
http://85.imagebam.com/download/3MNoUMKzdNrWwrGTEjVqUw/20125/201249002/NWA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2020.jpg
Dates in use: 7/1948 - 1959
First holder: Orville Brown
Last holder: Pat O'Connor
Maker: Unknown
Used before 1948, Orville Brown was the current World champion (Won 5/1/1948) and was recognised as the first National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight champion.
The National Wrestling Association (Then ran by the National Boxing Association board.) absorbed its title into the Alliance world Heavyweight title due to Lou Thesz winning the Alliance version.
During Lou Thesz's first reign as Alliance World Heavyweight champion he also unified the title with the Los Angles version of the World Heavyweight title and a few other associated World Heavyweight titles.
Second Belt
http://46.imagebam.com/download/eUA08GKcq8af3uCLIgvC0g/20125/201249004/NWA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2010.jpg
Dates in use: 1959 20/7/1973
First holder: Pat O'Connor
Last holder: Harley Race
Maker: Unknown
Belt changed to the second version during Pat O'Connor's reign.
Date unknown of when the second version of the title was presented.
Design has been reproduced by the Midwest team, Dave Millican and Reggie Parks, most notably for NWA Midwest.
Third Belt (Domed Globe)
http://76.imagebam.com/download/WPLaFlufExlEvuxSkIHfIw/20125/201249020/6921186088_894c68f2e7_o.jpg
Dates in use: 20/7/1973 - 14/2/1986
First holder: Harley Race
Last holder:Ric Flair
Dates in use: 27/8/1994 Present
First holder: Shane Douglas
Current holder: Colt Cabana
Original maker: Unknown
http://79.imagebam.com/download/cI44WyPSA65yztoeGenZhg/20125/201249010/NWA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2043.jpg
Second maker: Joe Marshall.
http://41.imagebam.com/download/0WWJmcfoGcpbHHMF9sgULA/20125/201249025/100_0879.JPG
Third maker: Dave Millican (Midwest)
http://85.imagebam.com/download/SkSI7sAc5lwf45aTDNq_yA/20125/201249049/NWA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2044.jpg
Fourth and current maker: All Star Championship Belts
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Original maker unknown Believed to be made in Mexico.
Belt introduced presented during an event on the 20/7/1973. Harley Race received the title from Sam Muchnick but lost the title the same night to Jack Brisco.
http://50.imagebam.com/download/zXyX_md6Cn1TZxV8rgW8PQ/20125/201249007/20121281048gbXma.jpg
Originally on red suede/velvet with belt buckle strap.
http://46.imagebam.com/download/DeiZwSCIv45QErPaHCxyjg/20125/201249008/NWA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2029.jpg
Releathered a few months into Jack Brisco's reign due to the material being unsuitable and beginning to fall apart. The belt had a name plate placement area but it was only used by Jack Brisco.
http://75.imagebam.com/download/DAfmWHV2DLOKfOYZ0XzlMw/20125/201249028/NWA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2014.jpg
Supposedly features high traces of gold.
Had real jewels on both the main and side plates.
Wrecked during Terry Funks reign, damage to the globe which was replaced but again dinted, paint work destroyed on the main plate on either side of the globe which was then replaced with Onyx sheets, the side plates were jumbled in order after work was carried out on its strap, they were also repainted.
http://85.imagebam.com/download/yZ9qmeDzlL6_hOD6FWqfzQ/20125/201249015/NWA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2049.jpg
Featured wrong Canadian flag as the Maple Leaf was in use by then.
Kerry Von Erich etched/scratched his initials into the main plate during his 18 day reign.
Original belt is retired and is under ownership of Ric Flair. (WWE maybe paid his debts on the collateral used against the belt.) Was on display at WWE Wrestlemania 28 Axxess.
Joe Marshall (J-Mar) made two versions of the Domed Globe from 1994 up until 2003, a private collector swapped his pristine Midwest Domed Globe for a Midwest releathered J-Mar domed globe then later sold it on to another private collector.
Midwest made a few with subtle differences after the NWA-TNA split.
In 2008 the NWA used an anniversary edition of the NWA World Heavyweight title which featured red leathering and lacing, the plates were made in Pakistan and poorly made, this version was last seen held by Blue Demon Junior during his reign.
The new Sheik who became champion in 2011 refused to lose the title and was subsequently stripped by the NWA board, Sheik kept the belt because he had paid for it himself, the NWA used an earlier Dave Millican domed globe to crown the next champion which turned out to be Adam Pearce.
In 2012, NWA World Heavyweight champion Adam Pearce debuted a new variation of the Domed Globe made by All Star Championship Belts.
Belt is considered open source and has numerous copies/replicas out there. Each maker has their own design/twist on it but usually stay close to the blueprint of the original.
Fourth Belt (Big Gold)
http://85.imagebam.com/download/W12QdRftRtIF4vpPu30F4w/20125/201249031/NWA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2030.jpg
Dates in use: 14/2/1986 9/1993
First holder: Ric Flair
Last holder: Ric Flair
Maker: Crumrine
Belt made by Crumrine of Reno, Nevada. Made in 1985 by Charles Crumrine, Jeanne Lashelle (Charles Daughter) and Victor Ortiz.
Belt was made from sterling silver and heavy electroplate 22k gold.
The belt was hand crafted/engraved.
The belt originally had real stones which were hand set. The real stones were popped out/stolen by wrestlers and pawned/sold, once the news spread, the stones were replaced with fakes but continued to be popped/stolen.
During its production the main plate barely fit into Crumrines plating tank due to its size.
The belt was commissioned by Nelson Royal who proposed its original (But never made.) design to Jim Crockett/NWA but it was passed upon.
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Nelson had the designed modified to what it became and had it made out of his own pocket. The cost is said to have been $25,000 but Nelson received a better rate from Crumrine due him using them for his own belt buckle business, the real cost to Nelson was anything between $12,000-$15,000.
Upon seeing the finished product, NWA/Crockett bought the title from Nelson Royal.
The belt was debuted by Ric Flair on 14/2/1986 at the NWA Battle Of The Belts 2 event, it's television debut was the 22/2/1986. Ric Flair Introduces The Big Gold 22/2/1986 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NPIQn_JR-A)
Originally featured Rick Flair on the name plate but it was sent back to Crumrine and a Ric Flair was produced for the title.
http://76.imagebam.com/download/_GHX_wLSHwwZz6WUDr3dFQ/20125/201249035/NWA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2047%20(Rick%20Flair%20Name%20Plate).jpg
Three other name plates were ordered besides the Ric/k Flair plates; Dusty Rhodes, Ronnie Garvin and Stinger.
Was known as the WCW World Heavyweight title from January 1991 until July 1991 but kept the NWA World Heavyweight title lineage, the title was stripped from Ric Flair on the 8/9/1991 but the belt was not returned as Jim Herd refused to refund Ric Flairs $25,000 deposit on the belt. Ric Flair left to go to WWF with the belt and featured on WWF with it declaring it to be the 'real World Heavyweight title'. A cease and desist was sent by the NWA/WCW to which the WWF adhered to. Ric Flair eventually returned the belt following a court case and the NWA/WCW refunding Ric Flair's deposit plus extras (In total $25,000+) The belt was then used from August 1992 until September 1993 under the agreement NWA and WCW had. During September 1993, WCW seceded the NWA and used the belt as the WCW International Heavyweight title until 1994 where it returned to use as the WCW World Heavyweight title.The Belt is considered open source and has numerous copies/replicas out there. Each maker has their own design/twist on it but usually stay close to the blueprint of the original. There is anything between 4-6 casts of the belt depending on who story you believe. Three have been made public:
Diamond Dallas Page's
Jeff Jarrett's, which is now in the possession of Hulk Hogan after the fiasco/incident/shoot at WCW Bash At The Beach 2000. Hulk Hogan attests it is the original and Ric Flair backs this story but it is not true.
WWF/E's inherited cast. Booker T was the final champion and was in possession of possibly Scott Steiner's cast and WWF inherited it via the buyout of WCW. The belt was used until 2003 when Triple H debuted Joe Marshall's (J-Mar) 3D big gold with the WWE logo. It was last seen used for promotional pictures/vignettes of Batista in 2005.Only one copy has been made of the original belt by Crumrine for a private collector who paid in excess of $12,000 for it to be made and to have the rights to it. Jeanne Lashelle who had a hand in producing the original Big Gold did so with the copy, Charles Crumrine passed on a few years back and the whereabouts of Victor Ortiz is unknown, he left Crumrine years ago. A cast of this belt is available through Dave Millican's website from $2,500+. Crumrine will not produce another Big Gold for anyone else.
Fifth Belt (Dan Severn's)
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Dates in use: 24/2/1995 14/3/1999
First holder: Dan Severn (Only holder of the belt.)
Maker: Joe Marshall
The belt was made by Joe Marshall (J-Mar) for Dan Severn who was the only one to use the belt and still is in possession of the belt. Only two copies/replicas are in circulation and are slightly different to Dan Severn's belt. His World lettering is painted Black whereas the copies/replicas are painted red. Dan Severn used the belt for some title defences but more often than not used the Domed Globe.
Dan Severn Belt
http://85.imagebam.com/download/40u1gA3fmlyoEDULzfKLAw/20125/201249047/NWA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2027.JPG
Copy/Replica
http://83.imagebam.com/download/7hmn8TYv0IFB84BqNRK_Pg/20125/201249042/NWA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2026.jpg
TNA World Heavyweight Title
First Belt
http://83.imagebam.com/download/sR9T3GBtaMRukLIyPohwbw/20183/201822801/TNA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2010.JPG
First Holder: Kurt Angle
Last Holder: Jeff Hardy
Dates In Use: 14/5/2007 8/11/2010
Maker: Dave Millican
The first TNA World Heavyweight title was introduced due to the split from the National Wrestling Alliance on 13/5/2007. Some say it was because Christian Cage refused to defend it against regional NWA promotion wrestlers but others think that TNA wanted to get away from the NWA stigma and move forward with their own branding/promotion. Given that new titles were made without any association to the NWA and were on hand just a day after the split, it is more than likely the latter.
The title is a redesign from a customer of Dave Millican's. The original design cost more in artwork/design than the actual cost of the belt itself. It was made for a private collector who also owns the first replica of the TNA/Midwest licence deal. The licence deal ended quite quickly between Midwest and TNA due to TNA's conduct. TNA did/does not look after their belts which costs thousands of dollars and many hours to produce and would send them back to Dave Millican for repairs quite often, expecting a quick turn around without justifiable compensation or consideration to Dave Millican and his business. There are very few Midwest replicas of TNA's belts although the TNA World Heavyweight title can still be bought as part of the Figures Inc deal. Those belts are not the same quality as Dave Millican's work and are around a sixth of the price you would pay for his replicas of the TNA belts.
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Christian Cage was recognised as the NWA World Heavyweight champion and lost the title in a controversial manner to Kurt Angle on the 13/5/2007. Jim Cornette announced the Kurt Angle was the TNA World Heavyweight title on the 14/5/2007 (Impact did not air until the 17/5/2007.) but was stripped later that same night due to the finish of the match on the 13/5/2007. The belt made its first appearance on the 15/5/2007 edition of TNA today with Jeremy Borash. Kurt Angle regained the title on the 17/6/2007 at TNA Slammiversary in a king of the mountain match. TNA recognises Kurt Angle as the first TNA World Heavyweight champion but does not acknowledge the fact until the 17/6/2007.
The belt took quite a beating during its time in use, TNA unable to send it back to Dave Millican for repairs generally did their own work to keep costs down, by the end of usage most plates were repaired by drilling Chicago screws through them to keep them attached to the leather. The plating began to strip and they even sawn off a piece of the belt to make it symmetrical. At times they used Figures Inc replicas for television broadcasts. Rob Van Dam carried one throughout his reign as champion.
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The belt was last seen around the waist of Eric Young but it served little to no purpose.
Seven out of the eleven TNA World Heavyweight champions have held this version of the title.
Second Belt
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First Holder: Jeff Hardy
Last Holder: Sting
Dates In Use: 8/11/2010 14/3/2011
Maker: Top Rope Belts
Made by Top Rope Belts and designed by Jeff Hardy/Top Rope Belts, the belt cost around $3,000-3,500 to produce but between Jeff Hardy/TNA/Top Rope Belts, the numbers float anywhere between $8,000-12,000. It is available to order from Top Rope Belts.
Initially only meant for Jeff Hardy's reign but also used by Mr Anderson and Sting. The belt was introduced on the 8/11/2010. (Impact aired on the 11/11/2010.)
The belt was last seen being thrown from the ring by Hulk Hogan in anger due to Jeff Hardy's conduct.
Third Belt
http://85.imagebam.com/download/JnVTQ7ccuAcXrg4DghQ-5Q/20183/201822830/TNA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2011.jpg
First Holder: Sting
Current Holder: Austin Aries
Dates In Use: 14/3/2011 Present
Maker: Wildcat Championship Belts
Made by Wildcat Belts, the belt features seven plates, nine relief/stacked plates, a logo plate and a relief/stacked, logo'ed tip. (A relief/stacked plate is a plate on top of another plate, usually smaller than the one it is attached to.) The belt is for the TNA World Heavyweight champion but only features the word World on the logo plate. A replica can be produced by Wildcat Championship Belts for anything between $2750-3000 depending on the features you want on/with it. A Figures Inc replica can also be purchased for a fifth/sixth of the price of the Wildcat Championship Belts replica. There seems to be very little differences between the two replicas aside from the price.
http://82.imagebam.com/download/UC1Y48rLe6fW3CVYN9Apbg/20183/201822842/TNA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2012%20(Logo%20Plate).jpg
The belt was introduced on the 14/3/2011 (Impact aired on the 17/3/2011.) by Sting, the belt was thought to be in production during Jeff Hardy's reign but took longer than expected to finish. A second belt was produced due to its size, the leather strap being shortened so it made for a comfortable fit for the champion.
http://81.imagebam.com/download/fOYGphN1_gJA594IMgj7vw/20183/201822836/TNA%20World%20Heavyweight%20Title%2015.jpg
Six out of the eleven TNA World Heavyweight champions have held this version of the title.
Overall there have been eleven TNA World Heavyweight champions over the five years and counting it has been in use with nineteen title changes. (TNA does not count/recognise Kurt Angle's initial 14/5/2007 reign as of September 2008.)
NWA United States Heavyweight Title
There were nine major lineages of the NWA United States Heavyweight title and that is discounting the smaller regions that barely any information can be found on. The main linage is from the Mid-Atlantic region which is the main piece I have done in this but I have tried to gather some information on the other lineages/titles.
Central States 24/8/1961 7/1970
First Holder:Pat O'Connor
Last Holder:The Viking
Maker:Unknown
First holder disputed as Verne Gagne is recognised in 1958 as the United States Heavyweight champion but the NWA recognise Pat O'Connor as the first NWA Central States United States Heavyweight champion on the 24/8/1961 at a board meeting in Toronto, Canada.
Title disbanded or absorbed into the NWA Central States Heavyweight title during July 1970 depending on various reports. There are no listed changes or defences after July 1970.
Chicago 9/1953 9/1962
First Holder: Verne Gagne
Last Holder:Pat O'Connor
Maker:Unknown
Title is known to be associated with the American Wrestling Alliance and the NWA from its inception to its retirement. There is no certifiable clarity in which promotions recognises any of the champions reigns.
Title is retired after September 1962 but final champion Pat O'Connor is recognised as still being the champion during 1963 in the NWA Central States promotion.
Detroit 1964 10/1980
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First Holder: Johnny Valentine
Last Holder: The Sheik
Maker:Nikita Mulkovich
Title active from 1953 under NWA Chicago through until April 1959, recognised as an American Wrestling Alliance title from April 1959 until June 1964 when it becomes the NWA Detroit United States Heavyweight title during Johnny Valentine's reign, he is recognised as the first champion.
Twenty eight reigns were shared between Bobo Brazil (Thirteen) and The Sheik. (Fifteen)
The promotion closed/folded in October 1980 but the title and final champion is recognised by International Championship Wrestling until the title is retired during 1983 by the promotion.
Hawaii 1962 6/1968
First Holder:Nick Bockwinkel
Last Holder: Jim Hady
Maker:Unknown
Title is renamed the NWA Hawaii North American Heavyweight title during Jim Hady's reign.
Title continues to be used under the names North American Heavyweight and lastly Pacific International Heavyweight title until some-point in 1980. The last known title holder was Siva Afi.
Mid-Atlantic 1975 9/1993 & 8/2/1997 18/11/2000
First Holder:Harley Race
Last Holder:Terry Knight
First Maker:Nikita Mulkovich
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Second Maker:Nikita Mulkovich
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Third Maker:Reggie Parks
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Fourth Maker: Reggie Parks
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Fifth Maker: Reggie Parks
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Became the undisputed NWA United States Heavyweight title in January 1981 after NWA San Francisco folds.
Official explanation is that Harley Race became the first champion by defeating Johnny Weaver in an national tournament final, it was more than likely that Harley Race was actually awarded the title.
Original title has Heavyweight misspelt on the main plate, on the belt it says Heavyweihgt, the same design was also used for the Detroit United States Heavyweight title but that version featured different side plates.
Same design was used for the second version of the title but on black leather, the original was last seen on television on the 30/7/80 with then champion Greg Valentine, he declared: This belt still smells like Ric Flair, its still got his name across the front. Im going to have a belt made for me by the NWA, its going to be presented to me. Its not even going to be the same colour, you understand. But its going to represent the same thing; the most prestigious belt in all the land, the United States championship.
The second version debuted on 6/8/80.
The third version, made by Reggie Parks debuted at some point in 1982 during Greg Valentine's second reign as champion.
The fourth version was two belts of the same design, one was all silver and the other was painted in most of the banner areas using blue and red paint. Both were used at various points from 1983 until 1986. The all silver version was mainly used in 1984.
The fifth and final version debuted in 1986 during Magnum TA's second and final reign.
The fifth version absorbed the NWA National Heavyweight title during its reign. The NWA National Heavyweight was absorbed/unified on the 28/9/86 when Nikita Koloff defeated Wahoo McDaniel for the title.
Known as the WCW United States Heavyweight title from January 1991 which kept lineage with the NWA United States Heavyweight title until September 1993 when the NWA and WCW separated.
Title is revived by the NWA in 1997 with Tully Blanchard winning the title for the second time, the title is vacated shortly after and remained fairly inactive until 1999.
Terry Knight becomes the final champion and merges the title with the also revived NWA National Heavyweight title on the 18/11/2000.
Many NWA affiliate promotions use a variant of the United States Heavyweight title. The pictures of the first title are of a casted mold of the original title belt.
Rocky Mountains 9/1953 19/7/1963
First Holder:Verne Gagne
Last Holder:Fritz Von Erich
Maker:Unknown
Title has little to no information known about it. Was used by the American Wrestling Alliance and the NWA. Introduced at the same time as the NWA Chicago United States Heavyweight title. Lineage has missing time periods and it is unknown whether the title was inactive or retired for those periods.
San Francisco 1968 01/1981
First Holder:Ray Stevens
Last Holder:Dusty Rhodes
Maker: Unknown
Originally known as the American Wrestling Alliance United States Heavyweight title but the organisation rejoined the NWA in 1968.
The title became the NWA San Francisco United States Heavyweight title during Ray Stevens reign, sometime after 14/9/1968.
Title retired in 1981 due to the promotion closing.
Texas 15/12/1966 5/1968
First Holder:Fritz Von Erich
Last Holder: Spoiler #1
Maker: Unknown
Title is used from 15/12/1966 until May 1968 when the title becomes the NWA Texas American Heavyweight title.
Only three people held the title during its short lived reign, Brute Bernard, Fritz Von Erich and Spoiler #1.
Toronto 9/1962 7/1977
First Holder:Johnny Valentine
Last Holder:The Sheik
Maker: Unknown
Johnny Valentine was awarded the title in September 1962 in agreement of arriving/working in the Toronto area.
Title was inactive between 1968 and 1971.
Tiger Jeet Singh is recognised as champion in 1971 but defences are few and far between, the title is vacated in January 1973 and reactivated again in July 1974 when reigning NWA Detroit United States Heavyweight champion The Sheik begins working in the area.
Title by name only is vacated during August 1977 due to reigning champion The Sheik no longer being booked in the Toronto area.
By association/name only, the title is reactivated once again when Ric Flair wins the NWA Mid-Atlantic United States Heavyweight title on the 9/4/1978, NWA Toronto continues with the Mid-Atlantic lineage by association/name only until 1984 when it secedes the NWA and joins/is sold to the World Wrestling Federation.
NWA World Television Title
NWA Georgia Lineage 22/11/1969 4/1985
First Holder: Joe Scarpa
Last Holder: Ronnie Garvin
First Maker: Unknown (Thought to be George Levy.)
Second Maker:Reggie Parks 1984 - 1985
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This is the actual belt which was used.
First known as the NWA Georgia Television title when Joe Scarpa beat Assassin #2 on the 22/11/1969 in the final of an eight man tournament to crown the first champion.
Title is retired/vacated in August 1972 when the current champion, Ray Gunkel, after taking the heart punch finisher from Ox Baker during a match on the 1/8/1972, died. Ray Gunkel finished and won the match but died later in the day due to heart problems. An autopsy later showed that Gunkel suffered from undiagnosed arteriosclerosis but that his death was a result of heart trauma. It was determined that Baker's punch created a hematoma, which led to a blood clot that caused his death when it reached his heart.
The title lay dormant for nearly five years until it was reactivated and won by Tony Atlas during February 1977.
The belt is renamed NWA National Television title after May 1980 when then champion, Tommy Rich vacates to have a match for the NWA World Heavyweight title.
Terry Taylor becomes the first NWA National Television champion on the 22/8/1980 and the title changes hands eight times between six wrestlers in a little less than eight months, the title is once again vacated and deactivated during March 1981.
Title is reactivated in 1983 and the Iron Sheik becomes the champion on the 28/5/1983 when he defeated Ronnie Garvin by disqualification to win the title.
During Jake Roberts first reign as champion the title is renamed and recognised as the NWA World Television title as of March 1984. He also introduces Reggie Parks design/version of the title during his reign.
Two months into Bob Roop's second title reign which he won from Ronnie Garvin in January 1985, the title is downgraded/renamed in March 1985 back to the NWA National Television title as Jim Crockett Promotions buy the Georgia territory and recognise their Television title (Mid-Atlantic) as the NWA World Television title.
The title changes hands one more time, Bob Roop losing it back to Ronnie Garvin before it is retired once and for all during April 1985.
NWA Mid-Atlantic Lineage
First Holder:Danny Miller
Last Holder: Ricky Steamboat
First Maker:George Levy 1974 - 1977
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Second Maker:George Levy 1977 - 1982
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Third Maker:Reggie Parks 1982 - 1985
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This is the actual belt which was used.
Fourth Maker:Reggie Parks 1985 - 1992
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http://39.imagebam.com/download/qLyMkj3s3lu04hxfoSb4wg/20274/202737597/NWA%20Television%20Title%204.jpg
Danny Miller became the first NWA Mid-Atlantic Television champion on the 27/2/1974 by defeating Ole Anderson in the tournament final for the title.
Baron Von Raschke becomes the first NWA Television champion in March 1978 when the title is renamed during his reign, he loses the belt to Johnny Weaver days later but regains it back just three weeks after losing it.
Title becomes vacant in the early months of 1980 during Ricky Steamboat's second reign, no explanation is given as to why it is vacated.
The title is won by the Masked Superstar who beats Blackjack Mulligan in a tournament final in April 1980, six months later the title is declared vacant once more.
Roddy Piper wins the title in yet another tournament on 1/11/1980 by defeating Paul Jones in the final. Roddy Piper vacates the title less than three months into his reign as he wins the NWA United States Heavyweight title on the 27/1/1981.
Similarly to 1980, the title is held up until the 29/4/1981 in which Sweet Ebony Diamond defeats Greg Valentine in a tournament final.
Jimmy Valiant under the guise of Charlie Brown, vacates the title in January 1984 as he drops the Charlie Brown gimmick and resumes wrestling as Jimmy Valiant, however Jimmy was 'banned' from wrestling and forced to vacate.
Mark Youngblood would win the title in the seventh tournament in ten years, defeating Dick Slater on 7/3/1984.
Dusty Rhodes defeats Tully Blanchard for the title on the 16/3/1985, just twelve days before Tully could make it a year holding the title.
During a presentation on the 20/4/1985, Jim Crockett announces that the NWA Television title is now the NWA World Television title and presents then champion Dusty Rhodes with the fourth and final version of the title. Jim Crockett Presents The NWA World Television Title To Dusty Rhodes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7gyyXYmO5s)
The original fourth design featured on a red leather strap with blue paint on the side plates, at somepoint in 1987, the belt design stays the same but is presented on black leather with blue paint on the side plates.
The title is unified with the UWF Television title when Nikita Koloff defeats Terry Taylor at NWA Starrcade on 26/11/1987.
As of January 1991, the title was referred to as the WCW World Television title but the NWA World Television title was still used on WCW television and the lineage remained in place.
The NWA World Television title was replaced by the WCW World Television title after Steve Austin 'destroyed' the title after losing the title to Barry Windham on the 27/4/1992.
The last champion to be recognised by the NWA is Ricky Steamboat who was then champion when the WCW withdrew from the NWA.
WWE/F Intercontinental Heavyweight Title
First Holder: Pat Patterson
Current Holder: The Miz
First Maker:Unknown 15/9/1979 – 11/1979
http://80.imagebam.com/download/Hpu_jRh0LfDXNZ_b14we0w/20307/203069832/1.jpg
(Best picture I have of the WWF North American Heavyweight title. It is very hard to find clear pictures of this belt.)
Second Maker:Unknown 11/1979 - 1983
http://85.imagebam.com/download/F3MfaHS3GTLcimT1qyeNeg/20307/203069840/4.jpg
Third Maker: Unknown 1983
http://79.imagebam.com/download/6fkL_gxVUU_VSu95-tx6xA/20307/203069841/5.jpg
Fourth Maker:Unknown 1983 – 6/7/1985
http://39.imagebam.com/download/bdN-aBudTg2DsRdWwLcAZA/20307/203069847/7.jpg
Fifth Maker:Reggie Parks 9/9/1985 – 29/3/1998
http://38.imagebam.com/download/dtNuJ-n9hQ9u6RWWLaTFzA/20307/203069851/8.jpg
Sixth Makers:Joe Marshall (First 30/3/1998 - 2010) & Dave Millican (Second 2010 - 2011)
http://79.imagebam.com/download/hIS014-h_l0g9ov88GDmiQ/20307/203069888/20.jpg
(Joe Marshall version. This is the actual title the Rock initially debuted, it is now in the hands of a private collector.)
http://76.imagebam.com/download/Tn3UduRSJgFr3BNjgcp4xA/20307/203069900/24.jpg
(Dave Millican version.)
Seventh Makers:Joe Marshall ( First 2/10/2011 – 17/1/2012) & Dave Millican (Second 17/1/2012 - Present)
http://31.imagebam.com/download/VM_0GrCX8hz0VKIzcGoThw/20307/203069905/25.jpg
(Joe Marshall version)
http://81.imagebam.com/download/JVupbGP3b79cOvu1U7BdCQ/20307/203069911/28.jpg
(Dave Millican Version)
The first WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight champion, Pat Patterson was awarded the title and it was announced that he had won a tournament in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil to unify his recently won WWF North American Heavyweight title and an unknown South American Heavyweight champion's title. No matches or tournament took place and the WWF North American Heavyweight title was still used until 20/3/1981 when the title was retired by the WWF.
The WWF North American title was dual used as its rightful meaning title and as the first WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight title, Pat Patterson lost the WWF North American Heavyweight title to Seiki Sakaguchi on the 8/11/1979 in Otaru, Japan. Seiki Sakaguchi remained the champion until the titles retirement in March 1981 and the belt stayed primarily in Japan during his reign. Only three people held the WWF North American Heavyweight title, Ted DiBiase, (Who was awarded the title upon signing with the WWF.) Pat Patterson and Seiki Sakaguchi.
The second version was introduced during November 1979, a seven plate trophy shop styled title similar to the WWF North American Heavyweight title with trophy shop relief pieces and exact same red strap, however the main plate was more square and the side plates oval/rounded.
http://80.imagebam.com/download/8Q_4eZBRxZLHGAFZmxmsiw/20307/203069835/2.jpg
The belt was used up until some point in early 1983 when then champion received a new title, the design and principle were again in a similar vain to the previous titles but was only five plates with a green strap, the main plates shape was more rounded and the side plates were basic relief trophy shop plates. The belt only lasted a few months but did feature on WWF television. Don Muraco was only person hold the title.
During his reign as champion, Don Muraco was presented with his third and final WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight title, the belt itself was the WWF's fourth Intercontinental Heavyweight title in five years and was slightly modified from its predecessors. The belt featured seven plates, the main plate being rounded off more compactly and the side plates featured more detailed relief pieces. It was also on a green strap with white garment backing, it was also broke the mould as it was the first out of the then four WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight titles to not feature an eagle on it's main plate. Green paint was added around the relief pieces on the main plate.
http://38.imagebam.com/download/LaZMz_gbS3BidRqgr3M2lw/20307/203069845/6.jpg
The belt was used from 1983 until the 6/7/1985 when Tito Santana defeated Greg Valentine in cage match to begin his second reign as WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight champion. Greg Valentine, in disbelief and rage destroyed the title by smashing it against the walls of the cage. Tito Santana would go just over two months as the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight champion without a belt.
On the 9/9/1985 before a six man tag-team bout, then champion Tito Santana was presented the fifth and then newest title by Gene Okerlund (See here: Tito Santana Receives The New WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlbWbsV921M) ) but the match and presentation did not air until the 28/9/1985. The belt was made by Reggie Parks and would become synonymous throughout the 1980's, 1990's and still being revered to this very day. The belt was the first of the then five to have been etched, gold plated and featured a full leather strap with bevelling but no tooling. The main plate was flat and the logo was recessed into the design and painted red. The side plates were of all the same size and featured a small line of black paint on opposites sides on each plate.
Tito Santana lost the belt to 'Macho Man' Randy Savage on the 8/2/1986 but would continue to defend the title for a two weeks after the loss until the title loss was aired on television. During his thirteen month reign Randy Savage treated the belt poorly and tried to clean the belt on numerous occasions with brasso polish. The polish eroded the paint work and severely damaged the gold plating giving the a belt a tired and worn look long before it should have. His reign was the record length at the time. (414 days.)
The belt changed hands a further two times whilst in that state, the first, Ricky Steamboat defeating Randy Savage at WWF Wrestlemania 3. Two months later he would drop it to the Honky Tonk Man on the 2/6/1987 but the match would not air until the 13/6/1987. It is said that it was initially going to be Butch Reed who was supposed to win the title from Ricky Steamboat and not the Honky Tonk Man, however various stories confirm/conflict or just confuse depending on who tells it.
http://44.imagebam.com/download/MfjQxuYSRU5mZYRSDAyZrg/20307/203069852/9.jpg
(You can see the damage Randy Savage caused to the belt.)
During what would be the still reigning record reign (454 days.) of the Honky Tonk Man, the belt was replaced with virtually the same overall design as the original Reggie Parks belt but with slight changes to some of its features. The leather strap now had a seashell styled tooling, the outer side plates were now smaller in size compared to the inner side plates, the WWF logo on the main plate was raised instead of recessed and was not painted as well as the belt having a logo plate and a gold tip on end of the strap to match up with the rest of the WWF's set of belts.
http://48.imagebam.com/download/-9NF-ESfjkqtRA8lddnNkg/20307/203069857/11.jpg
(This picture was taken during Rick Rude's reign but is clear enough to show the differences that Reggie Parks made.)
The belt would feature as a prominent part of the Hulkamania era and was known to be the 'workers' title where it was seen as chance to progress /prove their World Heavyweight title credentials.
The Honky Tonk Man's 454 day reign would end at the hands of the Ultimate Warrior in just 31 seconds at WWF Summerslam 1988. The Ultimate Warrior would lose the title to 'Ravishing' Rick Rude at WWF Wrestlemania 5 but regain it back nearly a year to the day he first won it by defeating Rick Rude at WWF Summerslam 1989 to begin his second and final reign with the title.
http://83.imagebam.com/download/pWzBTQPSKwlwygvSRsYO8w/20307/203069855/10.jpg
During late 1989, Ultimate Warrior debuted the belt with no alterations to its plates but its strap now dyed bright yellow. The belt was used with the yellow strap for the remainder of the Ultimate Warriors reign until he vacated the title just days after winning a title vs title match against Hulk Hogan at WWF Wrestlemania 6. The vacation was the first in its ten year plus history and the belt was quickly reverted back to its black strap.
http://41.imagebam.com/download/LG-zkD26XAKitgBUPmYMGg/20307/203069863/12.jpg
(This belt is a collectors version.)
Mr Perfect, Curt Hennig, would become the new champion after defeating former champion Tito Santana on the 23/4/1990, the match would not air until the 19/5/1990 due the way the WWF's television programmes with aired/made.
During Shawn Michaels initial reign in late 1992, the belt suffered substantial damage and was placed onto a powder blue coloured strap. In 1993 the belt would feature on a white strap.
http://85.imagebam.com/download/2V1oTnuWbB7zXataqFCULw/20307/203069866/13.jpg
http://82.imagebam.com/download/Caq6pEeOWi4kheYcQIdg4Q/20307/203069867/14.JPG
http://83.imagebam.com/download/Tpl8RvYeelwFYe7od9P6ig/20307/203069870/15.jpg
(The picture is from is from his 1995 reign as champion.)
On 23/9/1993, Shawn Michaels was stripped of the title for failing to defend it within a thirty day time scale. The final two participants of a scheduled battle royal, Razor Ramon and Rick Martel, faced off for the title the same night with Razor Ramon winning and starting his first of what would become four reigns as WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight champion. The title match and win did not air until 11/10/1993 due to tape delay.
During Razor Ramon's reign the belt was replaced once more with the same design, it was also during his reign that Shawn Michaels contested the legitimacy of his championship and declared himself to be the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight champion as he never actually lost the title, Shawn Michaels even carried a copy of the title to carry more weight with his claim. Razor Ramon would defeat Shawn Michaels in a memorable ladder match at WWF Wrestlemania 10 to become the undisputed WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight champion.
http://39.imagebam.com/download/qmG2dbKtjgtNK142KqxOQw/20307/203069871/16.jpg
As he did in 1993, Shawn Michaels used a white strapped WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight title during his third and final reign as champion in 1995. During Goldust's reigns in 1996 the title featured on a gold strap, Ahmed Johnson would relieve Goldust of the title and wore the gold strap for a short period. Also during 1996 Marc Mero and Triple H both wore a white strapped WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight title until in reverted back to and remained black strapped until it was retired in March 1998.
http://80.imagebam.com/download/N3-5JAqf0lLPcnWm60qOkA/20307/203069872/17.jpg
http://80.imagebam.com/download/-AQ0706hAl3RytVzmgmozg/20307/203069880/18.jpg
On the 15/12/1997 edition of WWF Monday Night RAW, Stone Cold Steve Austin throws the Rock's WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight title into a river from a bridge. (See here: Steve Austin Throws The Rock's WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title Off A Bridge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQEoErNbH00) ) The actual WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight title was perceived to be thrown off the bridge but it was a bait and switch, it was actually and old WWF World Tag-Team title no longer used by the company and sacrificed for the angle. A man local to the bridges whereabouts fished the title from the river bed it sank to and attempted to sell it back to the WWF for $5000, the WWF told him to enjoy his free but soggy and ultimately ruined title belt.
During the same reign as the bridge incident, then champion, the Rock debuts a new WWF Intercontinental title on the Monday Night Raw after WWF Wrestlemania 14, 30/03/1998. The belt is first seen in a backstage segment with the Rock displaying it over his shoulder alongside the Nation of Domination. The belt was made by Joe Marshall (J-Mar) and had five plates, the main being an oval design with the WWF block logo being its centre point and did not feature the word heavyweight except for on its logo plate which was shaped like the WWF logo. The belts leather strap was a deep purple colour which quickly eroded over the next few months due to the damaged it sustained, the belt still has traces of its purple dye the majority of the strap has turned black.
http://83.imagebam.com/download/odxTTj_0SYuqTAB_0jyCJg/20307/203069883/19.jpg
The belts design stays the same apart from the new scratch logo what the WWF incorporates at some point in 1999. The belt has a black strap and rectangular logo plate.
http://41.imagebam.com/download/IWA1JtwZTyNysDIaPBWkeA/20307/203069896/22.jpg
The change is made as Reggie Parks refused to enter a contract with the WWF that would allow him to only make certain belts for the WWF, which would cost him significant business and would mean he would sacrifice some of his rights to his work. The situation goes unresolved and Joe Marshall (J-Mar) is installed/takes over as the WWF's primary belt maker. Reggie Parks and Dave Millican can still make certain WWF belts to this day including the WWF Intercontinental title. However to feature the WWF logo on the belt, the WWE charges $800 for its rights usage which is then rounded up to $1000 for service fees and legal costs incurred to the person making the belt either Dave or Reggie. A WWF Intercontinental title from the Midwest team can cost anything upwards of $2000, depending on the features wanted.
Chyna becomes the first and only woman to win the WWF Intercontinental title by defeating Jeff Jarrett at WWF No Mercy on the 17/10/1999. Stories state that Jeff Jarrett held owner Vince McMahon to ransom over dropping the title to a woman. Jeff Jarrett then received a substantial pay-off from Vince McMahon but has not worked for the WWE/F since. He leaves the company after setting the record for most WWF Intercontinental title reigns with six.
Chris Jericho and Chyna make history as the first co-champions of the title when a match on the 28/12/1999 finishes in a double pin-fall. The WWF acknowledged the co-champions at the time but does not acknowledge this in its title history in which it declares the title vacant. Chris Jericho wins a match involving Chyna and Hardcore Holly on the 23/1/2000 at WWF Royal Rumble 2000 to become the sole WWF Intercontinental champion.
The title absorbed/was unified with the WCW United States Heavyweight title on the 18/11/2001 in a match between Edge and Test at WWF Survivor Series 2001.
As of 6/5/2002 due to forced company rebranding/naming the WWF Intercontinental title changes to the WWE Intercontinental title, the belt is changed shortly after, the design once again the same but now featuring the WWE logo.
The title absorbs/was unified with the WWE European title on the 22/7/2002 after a ladder match between then WWE Intercontinental champion, Rob Van Dam and WWE European champion, Jeff Hardy.
The title absorbs/was unified with the WWE Hardcore title on the 26/8/2002 after a match between the WWE Intercontinental champion, Rob Van Dam and WWE Hardcore champion, Tommy Dreamer.
The title is absorbed/unified with the WWE World Heavyweight title on the 20/10/2002 when WWE Intercontinental champion, Kane, loses to WWE World Heavyweight champion, Triple H. The intercontinental title was then deactivated/retired.
The title is revived in May 2003 and Christian becomes the first champion since reactivation by winning a battle royal at WWE Judgement Day 2003 on 18/5/2003. The title is slightly altered and features a placement for name plates.
http://79.imagebam.com/download/jxSckX-WV8tSInmUUmpVWg/20307/203069898/23.jpg
On 12/9/2004 Chris Jericho wins the WWE Intercontinental title at WWE Unforgiven and breaks Jeff Jarrett's record of six reigns by starting his seventh as champion. Chris Jericho as it stands now has a record nine reigns as WWE Intercontinental champion.
During 2010 the WWE asks Dave Millican to make them a new WWE Intercontinental title using their design which Joe Marshall initially and continued to make for them up until that point. Dave Millican's title featured deeper and clearer etching, better leather as well as all round durability and better standards compared to Joe Marshall's belts. Dave can/could/was legally allowed to do so as the WWE, not Joe Marshall own the rights to the art of the belt. Joe Marshall signed away his rights to the majority of belt designs because he desperately wanted to be the then WWF's chief belt maker.
On 2/10/2011 at WWE Hell In A Cell, then champion Cody Rhodes debuted a new WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight title design based off Reggie Parks, WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight title which was used from 9/9/1985 – 29/3/1998. The belt was made by Joe Marshall who bootlegged the art in the early 1990's and tweaked the design. The belt was on a wide cut leather strap, featured a substandard etched globe, nugget texture filler which was created by a dremel drilling the plates in production as well as slight changes to the banners, fonts and general stars on the main plate.
http://85.imagebam.com/download/mu5jakMRMk4iNYpy585fJQ/20307/203069908/26.jpg
The Midwest team were informed of the copyright breach of their design and after the legalities were finalised, the WWE asked the Midwest team to make a new belt.
Dave Millican made the title using virtually the same design as Reggie Parks version updating the logos for the WWE. The belt is on a white tight cut strap and features a logo plate and gold tip. The belt debuted at the WWE Smackdown tapings on 17/1/2012, the show aired on the 20/1/2012.
http://81.imagebam.com/download/JVupbGP3b79cOvu1U7BdCQ/20307/203069911/28.jpg
http://80.imagebam.com/download/OVXXR2Lk9O3avaY2Dj4IJA/20307/203069914/29.jpg
http://79.imagebam.com/download/Itm4RXdN9mr-GabSgEbJfg/20307/203069920/30.jpg
http://82.imagebam.com/download/wbpL40jy8dEiqg9KwJEInw/20307/203069922/31.jpg
The Joe Marshall version is still in use and is used as a back up/secondary belt as well as being used for some promo pictures and house show appearances.
DLVH84
07-25-2012, 07:48 PM
WCW World Television Championship Belt
http://tomandmikepresentt.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/vlcsnap-2011-06-01-15h38m53s140.png
First Version (July 1992 - June 1995)
First Holder: Steve Austin
Last Holder: The Renegade
The original WCW World Television Championship belt debuted at The Great American Bash on July 12, 1992, during Steve Austin's second reign as WCW World Television Champion, after defeating Barry Windham on May 23, 1992 (aired on WCW Worldwide on June 13, 1992). Before then, he used the old WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship belt, until the belt was made.
The last time this belt was shown was in June 1995 on TV tapings, showing eventual champion The Renegade with the belt.
http://www.ajsbelts.com/wcwtvclosefront.JPG
Second Version (June 1995 - April 2000)
First Holder: Arn Anderson
Last Holder: Hacksaw Jim Duggan
This version debuted at The Great American Bash on June 18, 1995.
The last time this belt was shown was in April 2000, before the Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff rebooting of WCW, retiring the title.
Scrolled down to see the pictures and call you a poor man's DLVH84.
Scrolled down to see the pictures and call you a poor man's DLVH84.
pfffttt poor man's, I copied and pasted word for word, that's as authentic as it gets http://lowerleaguemanager.com/forum/images/smilies/emoticons/smug.png
Emperor Smeat
07-25-2012, 09:59 PM
Of all those belts, the classic white strap IC title looks the best.
Never noticed until now about WCW's Big Gold belt having engraved name plates instead of normal removable ones for certain champs.
whiteyford
07-26-2012, 08:45 AM
Hardys TNA title is still fucking hideous.
DLVH84
07-26-2012, 11:49 AM
Hardys TNA title is still fucking hideous.
I agree.
Brigstocke
07-26-2012, 12:10 PM
WOW Jeffs TNA Belt would look magnificent with my purple suede smoking jacket and red chino's.
whiteyford
07-26-2012, 12:16 PM
Know a guy with a purple velvet jacket, only because he wore it to a funeral. Think the chino's is what would make it work though.
irishmaster
07-26-2012, 01:42 PM
Love these kinda threads. reminds me of the wrestling pictures thread started few months back. cheers for the effort
DLVH84
07-26-2012, 03:53 PM
WCW World Light Heavyweight Championship (the precursor of the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship)
http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/pictures/wcwworldlhwtitle.jpg
Only Version: October 1991 - September 1992
First Holder: Brian Pillman
Last Holder: Brad Armstrong
The belt debuted at Halloween Havoc on October 27, 1991.
The belt's last appeared on the Clash Of The Champions on September 2, 1992, in the hands of Bill Watts, as he stripped Brad Armstrong of the title due to a knee injury. A tournament was supposed take place in the beginning of 1993, but was completely abandoned when Bill Watts left WCW. It would be three and a half years before the title was resurrected as the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship.
WCW World Cruiserweight Championship (two versions)
http://ajsbelts.com/images/DSC08504.JPG
First Version: March 1996 - April 2000, July 2001 - May 2002
First Holder: Shinjiro Otani (1st wave), Gregory Helms (2nd wave)
Last Holder: The Artist (1st wave), The Hurricane (2nd wave)
This version of the title belt debuted on March 20, 1996, at a NJPW show in Aichi, Nagoya, Japan. This belt would be used until the reboot in April 2000. However, this version of the belt would be reactivated for the WWF vs. WCW/ECW storyline.
In November 2001, the title would become the WWF (later WWE) Cruiserweight Championship, phasing out the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship. Despite the change, they kept this version of the belt until May 2002, when The Hurricane won the title.
http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/pictures/c/chriscandido/09.jpg
Second Version: April 2000 - March 2001
First Holder: Chris Candido
Last Holder: Shane Helms
This version of the belt debuted at Spring Stampede on April 16, 2000. The colors of the belt were totally different, as the WCW logo on the sideplates were yellow, instead of red, and the centerplate featured inverted colors of the original.
In mid-to-late 2000, it had a sticker on it, when Lance Storm and Elix Skipper held the title, calling it the Canadian 100 Kilos and Under Championship.
This version last appeared on the final Monday Nitro on March 26, 2001.
jskinnyg
07-26-2012, 05:46 PM
Badass History Thread... Nicely done...
DLVH84
07-26-2012, 07:47 PM
NWA/WCW United States Tag Team Championship
http://www.midwestwrestling.com/kobreggie/images/belts/osnwa/nwaoust/nwaoust01.jpg
Only Version: September 1986 - May 1989, February 1990 - July 1992
First Holders: Krusher Khrushchev and Ivan Koloff (1st wave), Brian Pillman and Tom Zenk (2nd wave)
Last Holders: Eddie Gilbert and Rick Steiner (1st wave), Dick Slater and The Barbarian (2nd wave)
The belts have a red strap, with circular sideplates with the American flag shield design and the centerplate has the colorful "USA" with a red U, a white S, and a blue A.
The belts debuted at a NWA JCP house show on September 28, 1986 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The belts' last appearance before being temporarily deactivated was at WrestleWar on May 7, 1989.
When the title was reactivated in February 1990, the title was first featured on February 12, 1990 (aired on the February 24, 1990 edition of World Wide Wrestling).
In January 1991, when WCW decided to form its own champions, they kept the NWA belts.
The belts' final appearance was on June 25, 1992 (aired on the July 12, 1992 edition of WCW Main Event), before the championship retired on July 31, 1992.
why do you hate my thread
WWF World Light Heavyweight Title
Maker: Reggie Parks - 1998
http://77.imagebam.com/download/UHjisqh9oSexIlnqS3FT6Q/20411/204102227/WWF%20World%20Light%20Heavyweight%20Title.jpg
http://60.imagebam.com/download/PhJXD38xMELgESsnsbIVyQ/20411/204102231/---%20With%20The%20WWF%20World%20Light%20Heavyweight%20Title.jpg
(Bobby Rogers/Mike Rapuano with the title around 1998. He looks vastly different these days.)
This version of the title actually never existed in the WWF and was made by Reggie Parks for Mike Rapuano known as Bobby Rogers in wrestling circles. Bobby/Mike used the belt to go on chat shows such as Jenny Jones and Sally Jesse with a bunch of made up stories, one being that he was a gay wrestler who held the WWF World Light Heavyweight title and was booted from the promotion for being gay in an attempt to garner attention/money/sympathy. The truth is, he never even worked for the WWF or even got close to. The best connection he had ever got to them was in 2001 when he owned .tv domains of WWF sites. He lost the court case and had to transfer the domains to the WWF.
This caused problems between Reggie Parks and the WWF in which Reggie could only make WWF logo'ed belts on strict permission of Titan Sports/WWF which came in written form only. Reggie continued to make logo'ed WWF but only for those with permission or those who were very close and could be trusted.
Booby/Mike was and still is a notorious conman who continues to work in the Florida area despite his past. Such incidents include:
Claiming to be the grandson of Buddy Rogers, he had contact with Buddy Rogers but it is said to be only via minimal wrestling training.
Offering to sell his kidney via ebay in 1999 which attracted a lot of media attention and is referenced in an episode of the Simpsons.
Tried to defraud the legendary Bobby Heenan amongst other wrestlers.
Offered to cut his finger off on an ECW pay-per-view in order to get a contract/spot on the roster. Paul Heyman declined the offer and thought Bobby/Mike had serious mental problems.
Started his own promotion Future Of Wrestling in 1999 and although it drew at lot of attention and fans, he was an egomaniac of the highest order, oft putting himself before everyone else and stiffed a lot of people on pay.
Bobby/Mike served around three and half years in prison between 2004 and 2008 for fraud. He returned to wrestling on the Florida scene in 2009 but very little has been heard from/of him since.
No-one knows the location of the WWF World Light Heavyweight belt, some say it was sold on e-bay in the early 2000's others say Bobby/Mike still has the belt.
IWGP Heavyweight Title
First Holder: Antonio Inoki
Current Holder: Hiroshi Tanahashi
First Maker:Unknown 1983 - 1997
http://82.imagebam.com/download/GgEGq66hVMOux6nCHtADWA/20416/204155901/IWGP%20Heavyweight%20Title%2029%20(Main%20Plate).jpg
Second Maker:Unknown 1997 8/10/2005 & 17/7/2006 3/2008
http://ukff.com/style_images/1/img-resized.png Reduced: 68% of original size [ 998 x 310 ] - Click to view full image
http://60.imagebam.com/download/BqGZtN1F2XPzcC2FcyawVQ/20416/204155894/1.jpg
Third Maker:Dave Millican 8/10/2005 15/7/2006 & 2/2008
http://79.imagebam.com/download/7vzMw_X0hQI3Cw5PdtM3bQ/20416/204155908/IWGPdone20.jpg
Fourth Maker:Dave Millican 3/2008 Present
http://52.imagebam.com/download/peRzmKKafYoLPum4koOElA/20416/204155897/IWGP%20Heavyweight%20Title%2013.JPG
The title debuted on the 2/6/1983 when Hulk Hogan defeated Antonio Inoki in the finals of the IWGP Championship Tournament. The title was used from 1983 until 1987 for the tournament where the winner of the tournament would go on to face the previous years champion for the title. The title is seven plates, all circular and encrusted with various coloured jewels on the main plate. The side plates are reliefed with the continents of the world displayed on them.
Hulk Hogan was the first holder and was beaten the next year (1984) when Antonio Inoki won the tournament and successfully defeated Hogan for the title.
http://72.imagebam.com/download/gibnZ2zGQNhl_zGthYsFow/20416/204155896/Hulk%20Hogan%20With%20The%20IWGP%20Heavyweight%20Title%203.jpg
Andre the Giant won the right to face the previous years champion in 1985 but is beaten by defending IWGP title holder Antonio Inoki on the 11/6/1985.
Antonio Inoki vacated the IWGP title in 1986 to compete in the tournament, which he won by defeating Dick Murdoch in the final on the 19/06/1986 to win the tournament and reclaim the title.
Antonio Inoki is then recognised as the first IWGP Heavyweight champion as of the 12/6/1987 when he defeats tournament finalist Masa Saito.
Antonio Inoki holds the title for 325 days before having to vacate on the 2/5/1988 due to a fractured left foot.
Tatsumi Fujinami defeats Big Van Vader six days later on the 8/5/1988 for the vacant title. The title is vacated just 19 days later on the 27/5/1988 when a title defence against Riki Chōshū ends in a no contest and the title is held up. Fujinami defeats Chōshū in a rematch on the 24/6/1988 to reclaim the title and become the first two time champion. On the 5/4/1989, 285 days into Fujinami's second reign, he vacates the title for it to be won in a tournament to raise its authority, honour and prestige.
Big Van Vader becomes the first gaijin (外人 Foreigner/Non Native.) to hold the title when he defeats Shinya Hashimoto in the tournament final on the 24/4/1989. Lou Thesz was the special guest referee for the match.
Russian, Salman Hashimikov, defeats Vader for the title on the 25/5/1989, reports say that Steve Williams was supposed to be the one to win the title from Vader but refused to be the one to transfer it on to Hashimikov and was cut out of the deal.
Big Van Vader becomes the first person to hold the title for a year plus, when he holds the title from 10/8/1989 until 19/8/1990 when Riki Chōshū defeats him for the title.
On 16/8/1992, Keiji Mutoh (The Great Muta) wins the title from Riki Chōshū, the match was also for Chōshū's Greatest 18 title. (Formerly known as the WWWF/WWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight title.) The Greatest 18 title is declared vacant by Mutoh on the 23/9/1992 so he can focus his attention on defending the IWGP Heavyweight title. NJPW retires the title during September 1992.
Keiji Mutoh becomes the first non gaijin and second holder to surpass the year plus mark. His reign topples Vader's by 26 days. (400 days overall.)
Shinya Hashimoto wins the title on the 29/4/1996 from Nobuhiko Takada and becomes the only person to pass a year plus during two or more of their reigns. He became the third person to surpass a year plus during his second reign with 367 days as champion. During his third reign, Hashimoto also sets the record that still stands to this day for a reign with 489 days as champion.
During Shinya Hashimoto's record third reign, he receives the second generation of the IWGP Heavyweight title. The title initially was only one plate, the main features of it resembling a kings crown with the IWGP initials taking centre stage like the original. The original strap was airbrushed with a unique and intricate gold design. Shortly after being introduced/presented, the title was releathered and four side plates all of the same size and design were added.
http://20.imagebam.com/download/RIYakb1GC-OUupP4KTkomA/20416/204155912/Shinya%20Hashimoto%20With%20The%20IWGP%20Heavyweight%20Title%201.jpg
http://59.imagebam.com/download/-RsbK893PTozhJBiQBr_vg/20416/204155903/IWGP%20Heavyweight%20Title%20(Version%202%20-%20Detailed%20Strap).jpg
Tatsumi Fujinami sets the record for most title reigns of six when he defeats Kensuke Sasaki on 4/4/1998. The record stands for just over 14 years until the 16/6/2012, when Hiroshi Tanahashi equals it.
Masahiro Chono vacates the title just 44 days into his first and only reign due to a severe neck injury. The title was vacated on the 21/9/1998.
Scott Norton becomes the third gaijin to hold the title when he defeats Yuji Nagata on the 23/9/1998 to win the vacant title.
The title is vacated on the 9/10/2000 when then champion Kensuke Sasaki loses to Toshiaki Kawada in a non title match. The vacation of the title is unclear but it is thought to be due to Sasaki's honour and respect towards the championship. Sasaki regains the title on the 4/1/2001 by defeating Kawada in a tournament final.
Yuji Nagata becomes the fourth person to surpass a year plus during a title reign with 392 days, he also breaks Shinya Hashimoto's defences record of nine by defending the title ten times.
On the 4/1/2004, youngest ever IWGP Heavyweight champion, (23 years and 288 days old.) Shinsuke Nakamura, unifies the title with Yoshihiro Takayama's NWF World Heavyweight title.
Bob Sapp becomes the fourth gaijin to hold the title when he defeats Kensuke Sasaki for the title on the 28/3/2004.
On the 20/2/2005, Satoshi Kojima becomes the first and only man to hold the AJPW Triple Crown and IWGP Heavyweight titles at the same time when he defeats Hiroyoshi Tenzan in a champion vs champion match.
Following Shinya Hashimoto's death on the 11/7/2005, NJPW decide to retire the second generation title and use it until the third generation is introduced.
Brock Lesnar becomes the fifth and final, to date, gaijin to hold the title. He becomes the first holder of the third generation title on the 8/10/2005 when he defeats then champion Kuzuyuki Fujita and Masahiro Chono.
The third generation title was made by Dave Millican and featured quadruple stacked plates on the main plate, with all featuring a form of dual plating. Stacked side plates where each name of the titles previous champions were etched into name plates and attached to them. It also featured a logo plate which was made to look like the first generation of the titles main plate.
http://61.imagebam.com/download/NO-laBpMzJlcsbzU-HbBXw/20416/204155899/IWGP%20Heavyweight%20Title%2028%20(Logo%20Plate).jpg
(IWGP Heavyweight Title Generation Three Logo Plate.)
Brock Lesnar is stripped of the title on the 15/7/2006 due to contractual problems. NJPW say the issue arose due to work visa problems but it is rumoured he wanted more than the $50,000 per match fee he was contracted to. Brock Lesnar refused to return the title. He later loses the title to Kurt Angle in the main event of the first Inoki Genome Federation card. (NJPW partially funded the first few IGF cards.) As of the 15/7/2006, no title changes are recognised relating to/within the third generation belt.
On the 17/7/2006, Hiroshi Tanahashi wins his first IWGP Heavyweight title by defeating Giant Bernard in a six-man tournament final and is awarded the previously retired second generation title belt.
On the 17/2/2008 during Shinsuke Nakamura's second reign as IWGP Heavyweight champion, he unified the second and third generations of the IWGP Heavyweight title by defeating Kurt Angle.
During February 2008, NJPW officials announce the creation of a fourth generation heavyweight title and the retirement of the second and third generation titles. NJPW claim to have given the original second generation title to Shinya Hashimoto's family but it is still in NJPW possession. The Hashimoto family do have one version of the second generation title though.
The fourth generations title design is bigger than the previous three and features a quadruple stacked main plate, the IWGP initials taking centre stage across a globe. The plates are dual plated and the side plates are of the same principle as the third generation. The title debuts during March 2008 and is awarded to then champion, Shinsuke Nakamura.
During Hiroshi Tanahashi's fifth reign as champion, he becomes the fifth and final, to date, champion to have held the belt for a year plus. His reign lasted 404 days and during that time he surpassed Yuji Nagata's record of ten successful defences by making eleven.
On the 16/6/2012 Hiroshi Tanahashi equals Tatsumi Fujinami's record of six reigns as champion.
Additional notes:
The first belt can be made by the Midwest team but costs in the region of $8,000.
The first and second generation titles are available in replica form but are very expensive for what they are. Akin to replica WWE belts you can get for around £200-250, the IWGP belts cost around $3500 (Around £2,250.) before shipping and can cost considerably more if shipped with their presentation case (A wooden display box.) which weighs a lot and would raise the price up further.
The third and fourth generation titles made by Dave Millican have been quoted as costing anything between $8,000-12,000.
according to the guy who wrote these, the WWE title plate picture that "leaked" not long ago is legit
http://cdn0.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/4272192/wwebelt_large.jpg
It was no hoax, the maker, Dave Millican has publicly admitted that the main plate shown was the new WWE title in production. As far as I've been told, production is finished but no further details can be released to the public. People who I knew before they started work with the WWE (And are now under contract to them.) say that its a possibility that the new title could debut around Summerslam or the RAW afterwards. That is just talk though and not to be taken seriously as the WWE often changes plans and usually does so at the drop of hat.
Dave has no idea on when the belt will debut if it does at all due to the problems it caused. The leak was no fault of Dave's or Midwest's as the belt was still at the etchers/platers. The belt wasn't meant to be seen by anyone, however someone was left alone in its vicinity and took a picture on his mobile phone of it. From there the person passed it on to a few other people he thought he could trust and one leaked it by accident. This caused a shit storm and has caused untold problems to a few people. Dave and Midwest are ok though.
ooTin
08-02-2012, 12:52 PM
that was really god damn informative.
DLVH84
08-02-2012, 04:04 PM
The original NWA World title belt was also used as the UWFi's Real Pro Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship belt between 1992 and 1995, as Lou Thesz was the commissioner over there. And in that promotion, there were only two champions: Nobuhiko Takada (who held the title twice) and Super Vader (Big Van Vader).
And originally, the Nobuhiko Takada vs. Keiji Mutoh match on October 9, 1995, at the Tokyo Dome was supposed to be a title vs. title unification match, but a week before the event, Lou Thesz withdrew his support of the UWFi and took the belt with him, leaving just the IWGP Heavyweight title on the line.
according to the guy who wrote these, the WWE title plate picture that "leaked" not long ago is legit
http://cdn0.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/4272192/wwebelt_large.jpg
This is sad.
ORIGINAL WWF TITLE FOUND...IN AN ATTIC
A major piece of wrestling history was recently discovered: The title belt that Buddy Rogers (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/03/11/1483388.html) dropped toBruno Sammartino (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/sammartino.html) to start off the World Wide Wrestling Federation in May 1963.
It was in Johnny Barend (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/08/04/6349696.html)'s attic.
After Barend died in September 2011, it fell to his widow, Annie, to start going through their accumulated assets in their home in Avon, New York. She has plans to eventually move back to her native Hawaii.
She was as surprised as anyone to come across two title belts in the couple's attic, unglamorously wrapped in a bath towel. Johnny had never mentioned them to her, though she was more than familiar with his career.
Intrigued, Annie contacted me and got me a photo of the "World's Champion" title belt, that had a small, circular photo of Johnny Barend in the centre.<TABLE style="CLEAR: both" border=0 cellPadding=1 width=1 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
After consulting a few historians and beltmakers, it was quickly established that it had to be the United States title that "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers brought from Ohio to New York, the belt that was used when Vince McMahon Sr. decided to created a new world title.
"I'm not always that great with the older belts, but I recognized that one immediately," said beltmaker extraordinaire Dave Millican, who makes the belts for the WWE, among other contracts.
"It makes you wonder what else is stashed away in people's attics. It really does," Millican mused. "It makes you wonder what other historical belts, and not just belts, but pieces of wrestling history, are stashed away in attics that people don't even realize they have. Annie didn't even realize what she had -- and why would she?"
Millican decided that he wanted to own the piece of history, with the added bonus of the second belt, a United States tag team title belt, with "1962" burned into the leather.
<TABLE border=0 cellPadding=2 width=200 align=right height=441><TBODY><TR><TD>
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2012/08/11/Bruno_Sammartino_Rogers_Belt.jpg
</TD></TR><TR><TD>Bruno Sammartino with the title.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>A deal was struck, and he flew up from Memphis on Friday to get the titles. "It's been an anxious couple of weeks to get to see this thing, both of them, especially the U.S. one, in person," said Millican.
As the matchmaker, I was invited along, and got to (briefly) wear the same title belt as Buddy Rogers and Bruno Sammartino.
In a phone interview, Sammartino admitted that he never knew what happened to the belt itself.
"That belt that Buddy had, they thought, I don't know what they thought, they felt it wasn't a good belt. I don't know who had it, who gave it to them, whatever, but they didn't think anything of it. They went and made the one that I wore all those years," said Sammartino, who does have the original title belt that was created for his first title reign that lasted just short of eight years. It turns out that title, which was retired after a new belt was made for Pedro Morales, was languishing in an office. "Phil Zacko and [Gorilla] Monsoon (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios2/monsoon.html) gave it to me. That one I have. I had it polished up, because it was kind of worn."
Worn would describe both of the belts found at the Barend home. But nowhere near worn out. Someone along the way had the foresight to use plastic ratchet straps to hold the leather in tight with the belt. The plates all need a good polishing, but are not significantly dented or worn in other ways.
<CENTER style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LETTER-SPACING: normal; FONT: 15px Geneva, Arial; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px"><TABLE border=0 cellPadding=2 width=400 height=189><TBODY><TR><TD>
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2012/08/11/barend_belt.jpg
</TD></TR><TR><TD>The World title.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>It was fascinating listening to Millican explain things to Annie and I, just having gotten to see the belt in person. He made note of the 1962 plate on the tag belt, and how it had to have been used for more years than that, since there was evidence that another plate had been on the leather. Though we were all reluctant to do so, Millican swore that if the plate at the bottom of the "World's champion" belt was screwed off, it would say "United States champion" underneath.
Given that Rogers and Barend were very good friends, Millican said that it made sense that the title belt ended up where it did.
"I think that really the fact that it was obviously transferred back to Buddy, even though Bruno never lost the title back to Buddy, shows that it was really Buddy's belt," said Millican. "At some point, Johnny, because of the connection with Buddy, got the belt. I don't have those answers, but that's clearly how it happened -- it has to be part of the connection."
Beyond that, there are still many unanswered questions, some of which will never be answered.
- Why is Johnny Barend's photo on the belt? When and why was it put there? He was never a recognized world champion, but he did defend the title as a U.S. belt apparently.
- Did Barend get the title belt before or after Rogers died in 1992?
- What jeweler made the belt? When and where? It probably came out of Columbus, Ohio, where Rogers was established for so long and was the U.S. champion.
- Where is the other tag team title?
<CENTER style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LETTER-SPACING: normal; FONT: 15px Geneva, Arial; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px"><TABLE border=0 cellPadding=2 width=400 height=183><TBODY><TR><TD>
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2012/08/11/UStitle.jpg
</TD></TR><TR><TD>The U.S. tag team title.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>For the immediate future, Millican is going to put the belts in his safe, and plans to "dig up what I can find in way of old film or old photos."
"This was from an era when even Buddy probably didn't think the belt was worth very much," said Millican.
Fortunately, it is now in the hands of someone who thinks otherwise.
ECW World Tag-Team Titles
23/6/1992 27/8/1994 NWA Eastern Championship Wrestling Tag-Team Titles
27/8/1994 4/2001 Extreme Championship Wrestling World Tag-Team Titles
First Holders:The Super Destroyers (A.J. Petrucci & Doug Stahl.)
Last Holders:Danny Doring & Roadkill
First Maker: Mike Vartanian 1992 - 1997
http://65.imagebam.com/download/Zoy7VgaiW8D_I57P35NJnw/20583/205821448/Public%20Enemy.jpg
Second Maker: Mike Vartanian 1997 - 1998
http://86.imagebam.com/download/8whncswCkIr_AvLDe4ZU6w/20583/205821453/ECW%20World%20Tag-Team%20Title%207.jpg
Third Maker: Joe Marshall 1998 - 2001
http://84.imagebam.com/download/eZLSKMLKfQ90g03SKcBdMg/20583/205821463/ecw-tag-title.jpg
(Picture courtesy of Judge Jeff Jones. This is one of the real ECW World Tag-Team titles.)
http://65.imagebam.com/download/76fBmdPp6_Afpz_HeGU2_A/20583/205821450/Bubba%20Ray%20Dudley%20With%20The%20ECW%20World%20Tag-Team%20Title.jpg
The first tag-team titles were known as the National Wrestling Alliance Eastern Championship Wrestling Tag-Team titles. The belts were made by Mike Vartanian, a local independent wrestler who had made belts for NWA ECW's forerunner/predecessor Tri-State Wrestling Alliance. (TWA) The tag-team belts were the exact design as the ones he had made for TWA with just the changing of lettering to ECW.
http://80.imagebam.com/download/aGQLIkaoybBkTlj8qqMsqA/20583/205821471/TWA%20Tag-Team%20Title%202.jpg
(TWA Tag-Team Title made by Mike Vartanian.)
The titles first champions were the Super Destroyers (A.J. Petrucci (Super Destroyer #1) & Doug Stahl. (Super Destroyer #2) ) who defeated The Night Breed (Glen Osbourne & Max Thrasher) in the tournament final to crown the new champions on the 23/6/1992.
http://21.imagebam.com/download/YSJda0j3Wj-QX6DR4TfB1A/20583/205821469/The%20Super%20Destroyers%20With%20The%20ECW%20Tag-Team%20Titles.jpg
During their reign The Super Destroyers set record for longest title reign in ECW history with 283 days. (23/6/1992 2/4/1993)
Also in this period they unified the titles with the WWA (World Wrestling Association) Tag-Team titles by beating the Lords Of Darkness (Duane Gill & Barry Hardy) on the 23/1/1993. They would go on to lose the titles to Tony Stetson & Larry Winters on the 2/4/1993.
Tony Stetson & Larry Winters reign would only last a day as the Suicide Blondes (Chris Candido & Johnny Hotbody) defeated the duo on the 3/4/1993.
During the Suicide Blondes reign, the team became a trio with the addition of Chris Michaels who together defended the titles under 'Freebird Rules' which allowed them to defend the titles in any combination of the trio.
Despite having the numerical advantage, the Suicide Blondes were defeated by the Super Destroyers on the 15/3/1993. However the same night, they win a return match and retrieve the titles. This made both teams champions for the second time with the Super Destroyers being the first team to do so.
The titles are vacated for the first time due to Chris Candido leaving ECW for Smoky Mountain Wrestling and the other two members of the team dissipating.
The titles are won by Eddie Gilbert and the Dark Patriot (Doug Gilbert) on the 8/8/1993 after they beat the Super Destroyers in a tournament final.
The titles are once again vacated just 54 days on the 1/10/1993 after Eddie Gilbert and the Dark Patriot win them due the team leaving the promotion.
On the same day, (1/10/1993) ECW award Johnny Hotbody and Tony Stetson the titles.
Public Enemy win the titles from Kevin Sullivan and the Tazmaniac (AKA: Taz/Tazz) on the 6/3/1994. During their reign they become the second team to surpass 100 days.
Public Enemy's 174 day reign comes to an end on the 27/8/1994 after they are defeated by the makeshift team of Cactus Jack and Mikey Whipwreck. Terry Funk was initially Cactus Jack's partner for the match but he left the promotion before the event/match took place. After the event in which Eastern Championship Wrestling seceded the NWA, they would rename the promotion Extreme Championship Wrestling and the tag-team titles were branded to be world tag-team titles.
On the 7/10/1995, Raven & Stevie Richards win the titles but later that same night lose the belts to the Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge & 'Flyboy' Rocco Rock, Ted Petty) who in turn break the record at that time for most reigns with four.
During the Eliminators (John Kronus & Perry Saturn) second title reign (20/12/1996 15/3/1997) ECW awards them with new tag-team title belts. The belts were made by Mike Vartanian and blatantly ripped off Reggie Parks WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight title. The titles were five plates, all nickel with slight changes to the art on the main plate. They featured on WWF television during February 1997 as part of an invasion angle by ECW.
At ECW's Hardcore Heaven event on the 17/8/1997, the Dudley Boys (Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley) are awarded the titles due to one of their opponents, Mustafa Saed, leaving the promotion before the event. The Dudley Boys successfully defend the titles against PG13 (Wofie D & J.C. Ice) on the show.
Chris Candido and Lance Storm win the titles from Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon on the 6/12/1997. Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon had only won the titles from the Full Bloodied Italians (Little Guido & Tracy Smothers) the previous day. (5/12/1997)
Chris Candido and Lance Storm become the second and final team to surpass 200 days as champions. Their long but only reign ends (203 days.) when they lose the titles to Rob Van Dam and Sabu on the 27/6/1998.
During Rob Van Dam and Sabu's reign, ECW award them with the third and final incarnation of the titles. The belts were made by Joe Marshall and were five plates, all gold, with a circular saw design on the main plate being its main feature. The barbed wire and walled entrance ECW was famous for is also on the main plate. The Dudley Boys are said to have the second set of ECW World Tag-Team titles but they themselves have never confirmed or denied this, it is pretty much a silent issue from them.
http://41.imagebam.com/download/Amr907_PfnrW-sxXVRdakA/20583/205821457/ECW%20World%20Tag-Team%20Title%208%20(Main%20Plate).JPG
(ECW World Tag-Team title in production.)
On 13/12/1998, Rob Van Dam and Sabu defeat the Dudley Boys to win the titles in Tokyo, Japan on a card promoted by Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling. (FMW) It is the only time the titles changed hands outside of the United States of America.
On the 17/4/1999, D-Von Dudley defeats Rob Van Dam in a singles match to reclaim the titles for the Dudley Boys.
On the 26/8/1999, the Dudley Boys win their record breaking eighth title reign by defeating Spike Dudley and Balls Mahoney, it is also their last. The very same night, a returning Raven would assist Tommy Dreamer in defeating the Dudley Boys for the titles.
http://83.imagebam.com/download/kuzG4Oq8Ao2IzNJj_Mf-qQ/20583/205821458/ECWCRS63.jpg
At ECW's Cyberslam event on the 22/4/2000 the titles are vacated for the third and final time in their history. The tag-team of the Impact Players (Justin Credible & Lance Storm) separate when Justin Credible throws down one half of the title to declare himself free for a shot at the ECW World Heavyweight title which he would win later that evening from Tommy Dreamer. Lance Storm leaves the company shortly after for World Championship Wrestling. (WCW)
The titles laid vacant for four months before Tajiri and Mikey Whipwreck win them on the 25/8/2000 defeating Tommy Dreamer and Jerry Lynn as well as Simon Diamond and Johnny Swinger in a three way dance.
The Full Bloodied Italians (Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke) defeat the newly crowned champions just a day later on the 16/8/2000 to win the titles they would go on to hold the titles for 99 days.
The titles change hands for the final time on the 3/12/2000 when Danny Doring and Roadkill defeat the Full Bloodied Italians at ECW's Massacre on 34th Street event.
ECW ceases operations as of 4/2001, Danny Doring and Roadkill are listed as the final ECW World Tag-Team champions.
The first set of titles whereabouts are unknown but were in a relatively bad state when they were replaced.
http://64.imagebam.com/download/dgPzIP1HcnhGhuLZ3i7Y8g/20583/205821468/The%20Gangstas%20With%20The%20ECW%20World%20Tag-Team%20Titles.jpg
(As you can see, the side plates are off and the general state of the titles isn't good.)
The second set are said to be in the possession of the Dudley Boys.
The third and final set are in the possession of Danny Doring and Roadkill.
ECW World Television Title
12/8/1992 – 27/8/1994 – NWA – Eastern Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Television Title
27/8/1994 – 4/2001 – Extreme Championship Wrestling World Television Title
First Holder:Johnny Hotbody
Last Holder:Rhino
First Maker:Mike Vartanian
http://54.imagebam.com/download/axcwem5ytApQkCt2eu3WQA/20597/205968086/ECW%20Television%20Heavyweight%20Title%201.jpg
Second Maker:Mike Vartanian
http://ukff.com/style_images/1/img-resized.png Reduced: 70% of original size [ 974 x 498 ] - Click to view full image
http://20.imagebam.com/download/2HlCkM0JqWtpC-LEJRQ5ZA/20597/205968092/ECW%20World%20Television%20Title.jpg
Third Maker:Joe Marshall
http://80.imagebam.com/download/jgF2abHmHEfX5sj7crPXNw/20597/205968094/ECW%20World%20Television%20Title%206.jpg
The first title was originally promoted as the National Wrestling Alliance – Eastern Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Television title. The belt was made by Mike Vartanian and featured only a single plate which incorporated elements of Mike Vartanian's ECW and TWA Heavyweight and Tag-Team titles designs.
The titles first champion was Johnny Hotbody who defeated Larry Winters on the 12/8/1992 within that he became the first man to hold both of NWA – ECW's singles titles. In 1993 he would become the promotions first triple crown winner when he wins the tag-team titles alongside Chris Candido and Chris Michaels as part of the Suicide Blondes trio.
Johnny Hotbody relinquishes the title due to and ankle injury and cannot defend it within ECW's 30 day defence ruling. The title is declared vacant on the 12/9/1992.
Glen Osbourne become the second champion by defeating the Sandman after the two were the finalists in a battle royal on the 30/9/1992.
During February 1992, Glen Osbourne is forced to vacate the title but the reasons were never fully disclosed as to why although he was later allowed to enter the forthcoming tournament to crown a new champion.
Jimmy 'Super-fly' Snuka wins the tournament final by defeating Glen Osbourne on the 12/3/1993. He becomes the second man in ECW's history to have held both NWA- ECW's singles titles.
Sabu wins the title on the 13/11/1993 in a tag-team match also involving his partner Hawk against King Kong Bundy and then champion Terry Funk where the stipulations of the match allowed the title to change hands. Sabu pinned Terry Funk.
2 Cold Scorpio becomes the first person to win the title twice when he defeats Dean Malenko on the 18/3/1995.
Mikey Whipwreck wins the title from 2 Cold Scorpio on the 29/12/1995 in a match which was for 2 Cold Scorpio's World Television and World Tag-Team titles which he and the Sandman held. Cactus Jack imposes himself as Mikey's World Tag-Team title partner.
2 Cold Scorpio would take the World Television title back just seven days later on the 5/1/1996. It was 2 Cold Scorpio's final reign with title in which he broke the record for most reigns with four. This stood until ECW ceases operations during April 2001.
During Shane Douglas's second reign as champion, ECW award him with the second version of the title. The belt was made by Mike Vartanian and the main plate was a virtual copy of Reggie Parks WWF World Heavyweight title. (1988 – 1998) The four side plates were circular and featured the flags of Canada, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States of America. (Plate order went: Canada – United States of America – United Kingdom – Japan)
Taz defeats the then longest reigning champion of 329 days, Shane Douglas at ECW's Wrestlepalooza event on the 7/6/1997 in under five minutes.
During his reign Taz uses a customised version of the second title design which was made by Mike Vartanian. The belt is same design apart from the top area of the main plate featured Taz's name and the strap was orange. The belt would later become the first ECW Fuck The World - World Heavyweight title.
http://63.imagebam.com/download/9uGXc6H9LVAsp7w8HfBy0w/20597/205968098/ECW%20World%20Television%20Title%207%20(Taz%20Version).jpg
Rob Van Dam wins the title on the 4/4/1998 from Bam Bam Bigelow which started his record breaking reign.
During Rob Van Dam's reign which spanned 23 months over three calender years (1998/1999/2000) and lasted 700 days, he defended the title over 100 times. It was also during his reign that the third and final design was awarded however there were problems before the title was awarded to Rob Van Dam. The belt was made by Joe Marshall and was originally nickel plated (Silver) and rumour has it that Rob Van Dam thought it not only devalued himself and his reign as champion but also the title itself. The nickel design was never used and the secondary title was kept in place until the revamped third design was ready. The third and final design debuted during the early months of 1999.
http://oi45.tinypic.com/262w45i.jpg
(Original versions of the third designs of the ECW championships. The World Heavyweight and World Tag-Team titles pictured were used, however the nickel plated World Television title, was not.)
On the 29/1/2000, Rob Van Dam suffers a serious leg injury during a title defence against Rhino.
On the 4/3/2000, exactly 700 days, 23 months to the day he won the title, Rob Van Dam is forced to vacate the title due to the injury he sustained on the 29/1/2000. The vacation was played as part of an angle featuring 'The Network' who sought the titles vacation for their pre-approved champion. (Rhino)
At ECW's Living Dangerously event on the 12/3/2000, Super Crazy upsets tournament favourite, Rhino, to win the title.
At ECW's Cyberslam event on the 22/4/2000, 'The Network' approved Rhino wins the title from former stable mate, Tajiri, who won the title from Super Crazy on the 8/4/2000 and refused to hand it over to the network.
Rhino becomes the final ECW World Television champion when he defeats Kid Kash on the 9/9/2000. Rhino would hold the title until ECW ceased operations in April 2001. During his reign Rhino would also win the ECW World Heavyweight title from the Sandman on the 7/1/2001 at ECW's Guilty As Charged event.
The first titles whereabouts is unknown.
The second title is in possession of Rob Van Dam.
http://82.imagebam.com/download/EGIhYiRiR9Ien0-FbtqnEQ/20597/205968101/Rob%20Van%20Dam%20With%20The%20ECW%20World%20Television%20Title%204.jpg
The third title was in the possession of Rhino but was later stolen from his bag at an event.
BeltFanDan
08-23-2012, 10:34 PM
Not sure who "Rule One" is, but most of that information, some of it copied word for word from me, and some of the pictures, were posted exclusively on my website BeltTalk.com
Guess he might be a member of my site?
Mr. Nerfect
09-14-2016, 07:27 AM
Since the new belts brought in by the WWE have sparked conversation about belts, I thought this could use a bump for those looking to get educated and enjoy some belt history and look at some classic titles.
I just read a tidbit on Ask 411 Wrestling about Joe Marshall creating Unified WWE Tag Team Championships that the company didn't like, so the current belts were designed in-house. This explains why they are more "graphicy" than other belts.
Simple Fan
09-14-2016, 12:15 PM
Cool thread
SlickyTrickyDamon
09-14-2016, 01:42 PM
This thread faded away and declared itself as OBSOLETE!
Anybody Thrilla
09-14-2016, 02:17 PM
Don't let Noid see this.
Great thread can't wait to read through all this later on.
Also Jesus Christ @TNA smh
Anybody Thrilla
09-14-2016, 03:56 PM
I will say that the Jeff Hardy belt leaves more than a bit to be desired.
Mr. Nerfect
09-14-2016, 06:23 PM
Don't let Noid see this.
Lol, I'm the one who brought it back up.
Mr. Nerfect
09-14-2016, 06:24 PM
I like the deep purple in the Intercontinental Title that The Rock had. I also like the orange in Taz's TV Title.
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