With the exciting and usually unpredictable world of professional wrestling, championship belts hold a value that goes beyond simple embellishment. They are the ultimate symbols of achievement, effort, and supremacy within the settled circle. Amongst the most prestigious and traditionally abundant titles in the sector are the WWF Championship Belts, a lineage that dates back to the very foundation of what is now called copyright. These belts have not just stood for the peak of wrestling prowess but have also advanced in style and significance along with the promo itself, becoming iconic artefacts treasured by followers worldwide.
The journey of the WWF Championship started in 1963 when the Globe Wide Fumbling Federation (WWWF), the forerunner to the WWF and ultimately copyright, was created. Following a disagreement with the National Wrestling Partnership (NWA), Northeast marketers established their own banner and recognized Buddy Rogers as their inaugural WWWF Globe Heavyweight Champion on April 25, 1963. Interestingly, some accounts suggest that Rogers was granted the WWWF title belt, which was an old United States title he currently had, as a placeholder until a brand-new layout could be produced.
Throughout the WWWF period (1963-1979), the championship belt went through numerous iterations, typically accompanying the periods of its most noticeable holders. Bruno Sammartino, the fabulous "Living Tale," held the title for an amazing consolidated overall of over 4,000 days throughout 2 powers. Throughout his time, numerous styles were seen, including one formed like the adjoining United States, highlighting the local roots of the promotion. Later on, a more conventional layout including two wrestlers grappling above an eagle became associated with Sammartino's 2nd power and the champs that followed him, such as "Superstar" Billy Graham and Bob Backlund.
The year 1979 marked a considerable change as the WWWF officially came to be the Globe Fumbling Federation (WWF). This rebranding would at some point lead to changes in the champion's name and look. In the early 1980s, as the WWF began its ascent in the direction of ending up being a worldwide phenomenon, a larger, green natural leather belt with huge gold plates was presented. This design featured a wrestler holding a champion with the world behind him, absolutely proclaiming the holder as the " Entire world Champ." Notably, the side plates of this version detailed the family tree of previous champs, a tradition that recognized the title's abundant history. This renowned belt was held by numbers like Bob Backlund, The Iron Sheik, and, the majority of notoriously, Hunk Hogan, who lugged it during the "Hulkamania" age, a duration of unprecedented mainstream success for the WWF.
The mid to late 1980s saw the introduction of what many take into consideration one of the most cherished layouts in battling background: the "Winged Eagle" champion. Debuting in early 1988, with Hulk Hogan as the initial owner, this layout included a magnificent eagle with outstretched wings as the centerpiece, flanked by smaller sized side plates. The "Winged Eagle" belt came to be a sign of quality throughout the late 1980s "Rock 'n' Wrestling" period and well into the 1990s "New Generation" period. Iconic champs such as Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, Bret " Hit Man" Hart, and Shawn Michaels all happily held this version of the title. The "Winged Eagle" also transitioned right into the very early years of the " Mindset Period," with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin being the last full time champ to use it.
The "Attitude Period," which exploded in popularity in the late 1990s, brought with it a more hostile and edgy visual, mirrored in the WWF Championship design. In late 1998, the "Big Eagle" belt was presented. This layout featured a bigger central plate with a popular WWF "scratch" logo, symbolizing the firm's contemporary identification. While preserving a feeling of prestige, the " Huge Eagle" layout lined up with the defiant spirit of the era and was held by legendary figures like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, The Rock, and Mick Foley.
As the calendar turned to the new millennium, the WWF underwent one more transformation, becoming Globe Wrestling Enjoyment (copyright) in 2002. This age likewise saw the unification of the WWF Champion with the copyright Championship ( gotten after copyright's purchase of Whole world wwf belts Championship Wrestling). The " Indisputable" champion was stood for by both the " Huge Eagle" and the copyright's "Big Gold Belt" being held concurrently. This marriage was short-lived, as the re-established copyright split its roster right into 2 brands, Raw and copyright, leading to the development of a brand-new Entire world Heavyweight Championship for the Raw brand name, while the original title ended up being unique to copyright and was relabelled the copyright Championship.
Ever since, the copyright Championship has actually continued to advance in name and style. In the mid-2000s, John Cena presented the " Rewriter" belt, a controversial but undoubtedly eye-catching design including a large copyright logo that might spin. This reflected Cena's personality and interest a younger audience. Subsequent designs have aimed to blend modern-day looks with a feeling of history and stature.
Over the last few years, especially considering that April 2022, the copyright Championship has been defended along with the copyright Universal Champion as the Undeniable copyright Universal Champion, though both titles maintained their individual lineages. Initially represented by both belts, a single, unified style eventually emerged, adorned with black rubies and the holder's custom-made side plates. As of April 13, 2025, Cody Rhodes holds the Indisputable copyright Championship, having actually combined it after beating Roman Reigns at copyright XL in 2024. Following his victory, copyright officially relabelled the unified title to the Undeniable copyright Champion.
The WWF Champion Belts, throughout their different models, have acted as more than just prizes. They stand for traditions, periods, and the many tales informed within the wrestling ring. Each design is intrinsically connected to the champions who held them and the durations they defined. From the traditional magnificence of the "Winged Eagle" to the bold declaration of the " Rewriter" and the present unified layout, these belts are concrete pieces of battling background, promptly well-known symbols of success on the planet of specialist wrestling. Their evolution mirrors the evolution of the firm itself, regularly adjusting to the times while forever recognizing the rich practice upon which they were built.