Skip to main content

The Pondering 10 - All-Time Favorite Championship Belts

With the WWE finally moving on from the ridiculousness that was the appearance of the WWE championship (Really, they kept a spinning title for eight years), and of course the unveiling the look of the title, it got the wheels turning on the best looks for championship belts. From pro wrestling, boxing (although, don't expect to see any on this list as they are usually ugly), and mixed martial arts, there are plenty of different models, types, and appearances that come with them. The following Pondering 10 list is my favorite all-time championship belts.




10. TNA X-Division Title - The current version of TNA's X-Division title is an innovative look, and one that pulls of the "X" in the nameplate in a cool manner. Great title that represents the ever evolving division.



9. Bellator MMA Championship Titles - The number two company in the MMA industry also provides it's champions with some pretty nice hardware to wear. 



8. IWGP Heavyweight Championship - The older version of the IWGP title has always been a favorite of mine. Usually Japanese title belts are infused with a bit of Asian influence that sometimes doesn't really move me, but the IWGP strap has always been a good version of it.



7. WCW/WWE World Heavyweight Championship - The original WCW title which was remade once the company was bought by WWE is a lot nicer that the original "big gold belt" once was. It is a bit smaller and a bit more fit for human wear than the original WCW title.



6. WCW United States Championship - Much better than the remade WWE one, unlike the company's remake of the World Title. The title embodies it's purpose in perfect design. 



5. TNA World Heavyweight Championship - The second version of the title, this belt, modeled after the awesome UFC titles is a great look.



4. UFC Championship Titles - A huge fan of these title belts, and quite frankly, is probably my favorite today.



3. WWF "Eagle" Championship Belt - A great belt that represented the WWE (then WWF) championship for many, many, years. The eagle is a design that worked well, and was used again in another design. More on that in a bit...



2. WWF/WWE Intercontinental Title - This design was awesome, and it really was a shame when the WWE went away from it. Kudos to them for bringing the design back, albeit with a white leather strap, which isn't quite the best look.



1. WWF Championship (Attitude Era) - This WWF/E championship design took the eagle design to another level. The design was larger, bu as the same time well designed. The face plate also worked with different colored leather straps (especially blue) which we have seen in the past. A very good looking title, and a design that is timeless. 
Labels:

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Future Self

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?
Read more

Knicks Trauma - Ugh Not Again

Well, that was a kick in the stomach.  Coming off a week where the word "catharsis" was used as the description for the euphoria and release of joy from two and a half decades of suffering, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers brought about another word - trauma.  Watching the Knicks collapse was the kind of moments that come with these deep runs and moments. NBA Playoff basketball will do that. Yet, this loss - this one - feels about as bad as the 2004 ALCS when the Yankees collapsed in the series to the Boston Red Sox.  That one carries some serious trauma. Luckily, the series isn't over.  Some other quick thoughts from this awful, awful night, New York Knicks Basketball.  - Not to conjure up hyperbole, or even contribute to "hot take" sports reaction culture - but this might have been the worst loss in Knicks franchise history. I cannot think of another in my lifetime, or historically.  - Tyrese Haliburton's "choke"...
Read more

Knicks Back in ECF Causing Catharsis

I've certainly shared my emotions and thoughts regarding the New York Knicks on this site over the years. There have been plenty of those to sort through - most of them are rants. Tonight, the New York Knicks ultimately destroyed the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, 119-81. I sat on my couch, afraid to allow myself to feel joy until that final buzzer. As a Knicks fan, I've been through too much to allow myself to do anything else, to make any assumption, until it was final. Until it was confirmed. Until something couldn't fall through...the way we're used to.  Once it was final, it was unreal.  The New York Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the first time since 2000.  I was 15 years old the last time that happened. And that was a run with a squad that I consider (still) to be my favorite Knicks team of all-time.  I sat on my couch with all sorts of feelings. My wife was likely trying to understand the moment. My son, exci...
Read more