Throughout the fascinating and usually unpredictable whole world of specialist fumbling, championship belts hold a value that transcends simple ornamentation. They are the utmost signs of achievement, hard work, and prominence within the squared circle. Among one of the most distinguished and historically rich titles in the sector are the WWF Champion Belts, a lineage that goes back to the extremely foundation of what is currently referred to as copyright. These belts have not just represented the peak of wrestling prowess yet have actually additionally progressed in layout and significance along with the promo itself, becoming famous artefacts treasured by fans worldwide.
The journey of the WWF Championship started in 1963 when the Whole World Wide Fumbling Federation (WWWF), the precursor to the WWF and at some point copyright, was created. Adhering to a disagreement with the National Wrestling Partnership (NWA), Northeast promoters established their very own banner and recognized Friend Rogers as their inaugural WWWF Globe Heavyweight Champ on April 25, 1963. Interestingly, some accounts recommend that Rogers was granted the WWWF title belt, which was an old United States title he already possessed, as a placeholder up until a new design could be produced.
Throughout the WWWF age (1963-1979), the champion belt went through a number of versions, typically coinciding with the periods of its most noticeable holders. Bruno Sammartino, the legendary "Living Tale," held the title for an amazing mixed total amount of over 4,000 days across 2 regimes. Throughout his time, various layouts were seen, including one formed like the contiguous USA, highlighting the local origins of the promo. Later, a much more standard layout including two wrestlers grappling over an eagle ended up being associated with Sammartino's 2nd regime and the champions that followed him, such as "Superstar" Billy Graham and Bob Backlund.
The year 1979 marked a substantial shift as the WWWF formally became the Whole world Wrestling Federation (WWF). This rebranding would ultimately result in adjustments in the championship's name and look. In the early 1980s, as the WWF began its climb in the direction of ending up being a global sensation, a bigger, green natural leather belt with giant gold plates was introduced. This style featured a wrestler holding a championship with the globe behind him, absolutely proclaiming the owner as the "World Champ." Significantly, the side plates of this version noted the family tree of previous champs, a custom that recognized the title's rich background. This renowned belt was held by numbers like Bob Backlund, The Iron Sheik, and, most famously, Hulk Hogan, who brought it during the "Hulkamania" age, a duration of extraordinary mainstream success for the WWF.
The mid to late 1980s saw the introduction of what lots of take into consideration one of one of the most cherished layouts in battling background: the "Winged Eagle" champion. Debuting in early 1988, with Hunk Hogan as the initial holder, this layout included a majestic eagle with outstretched wings as the centerpiece, flanked by smaller side plates. The "Winged Eagle" belt ended up being a sign of quality throughout the late 1980s "Rock 'n' Wrestling" period and well into the 1990s "New Generation" period. Famous champions such as Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, Bret " Hit Man" Hart, and Shawn Michaels all proudly held this variation of the title. The "Winged Eagle" also transitioned into the very early years of the " Mindset Period," with " Rock Cold" Steve Austin being the last full-time champion to wear it.
The " Perspective Era," which blew up in popularity in the late 1990s, brought with it a much more aggressive and edgy visual, reflected in the WWF Champion style. In late 1998, the "Big Eagle" belt was introduced. This style included a larger main plate with a famous WWF " scrape" logo design, signifying the business's modern identification. While maintaining a sense of status, the "Big Eagle" layout lined up with the rebellious spirit of the period and was held by legendary numbers like " Rock Cold" Steve Austin, The Rock, and Mick Foley.
As the calendar turned to the new millennium, the WWF underwent another improvement, coming to be World Wrestling Enjoyment (copyright) in 2002. This era additionally saw the unification of the WWF Champion with the copyright Championship ( obtained after copyright's purchase of Entire world Championship Wrestling). The "Undisputed" championship was stood for by both the " Huge Eagle" and the copyright's "Big Gold Belt" being held all at once. This marriage was short-term, as the re-established copyright divided its roster into two brands, Raw and copyright, leading to the development of a new Globe Heavyweight Championship for the Raw brand, while the initial title came to be unique to copyright and was relabelled the copyright Championship.
Since then, the copyright Champion has remained to advance in name and style. In the mid-2000s, John Cena presented the "Spinner" belt, a debatable however undeniably eye-catching style including a large copyright logo design that can rotate. This reflected Cena's character and interest a more youthful audience. Subsequent designs have actually aimed to mix contemporary aesthetics with a sense of history and stature.
In recent years, particularly since April 2022, the copyright Championship has actually been defended along with the copyright Universal Champion as the Undisputed copyright Universal Championship, though both titles preserved their specific family trees. At first stood for by both belts, a solitary, unified design ultimately arised, decorated with black rubies and the holder's customized side plates. Since April 13, 2025, Cody Rhodes holds the Undisputed copyright Championship, having combined it after beating Roman Regimes at copyright wwf belts XL in 2024. Following his victory, copyright officially relabelled the merged title to the Undisputed copyright Championship.
The WWF Championship Belts, throughout their various versions, have acted as greater than just rewards. They represent legacies, periods, and the numerous stories informed within the fumbling ring. Each layout is intrinsically linked to the champs that held them and the periods they defined. From the timeless magnificence of the "Winged Eagle" to the bold statement of the " Rewriter" and the current unified layout, these belts are tangible pieces of wrestling history, immediately well-known icons of greatness on the planet of specialist wrestling. Their development mirrors the advancement of the firm itself, regularly adapting to the moments while permanently recognizing the rich tradition upon which they were built.