Top 20 Belt Designs In Professional Wrestling History

20- AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1960-1990)

The AWA World Heavyweight Championship is a classic territorial belt, most famously held by Verne Gagne and Nick Bockwinkel. Its design is notable for its simplicity and the distinctive shape of its plates. It features a prominent eagle and a traditional globe, signifying the championship's early roots and legitimacy. It's respected for being a traditional, no-nonsense representation of a world champion.

19- Million Dollar Championship (1989-2021)

The Million Dollar Championship was a purely visual masterpiece of excess, created for "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. It wasn't officially sanctioned, but was a fantastic piece of storytelling. It was covered in gold plating and adorned with fake diamonds, featuring dollar signs prominently. It was loud, ostentatious, and perfectly captured the arrogance and over-the-top character of its owner.

18- ECW World Heavyweight Championship (1992-2001 in ECW and 2006-2008 in WWE)

The original ECW World Heavyweight Championship stood apart with its raw, almost amateurish look that perfectly matched the company's anti-establishment, gritty style. Its design featured distinct 'E', 'C', and 'W' letters dominating the main plate. It was less about gold and more about rebellion, representing "Extreme" wrestling. It looked legitimate, hard-fought, and was a defiant symbol against the corporate polish of WWE and WCW.

17- WWE European Championship (1997-2002)

The design for the short-lived European Championship was bright and distinctive. It featured a map of the European countries prominently on the central plate. This intricate detailing made it feel unique and specialized, unlike many other secondary titles. It's often praised for its clean, colorful, and detailed look that truly represents its geographical significance within the company and held by the likes of Shawn Michaels, William Regal and Jeff Jerrett.

16- WWE United States Championship (2020-Present)

The modern WWE United States Championship belt is celebrated for its sleek, patriotic design. The main plate features a large eagle and a central, striking American flag design. It’s a clean, prestigious, and instantly recognizable belt that conveys importance. It maintains the prestige of a national championship while looking like a top-tier modern prize, a significant improvement over some earlier designs.

15- NXT Championship (2014-2017)

The original NXT Championship design, with its black strap and bold gold plates featuring the large 'NXT' logo, perfectly embodied the brand's 'underground' yet elite status. It looked serious, hard-earned, and prestigious. It had a clean, modern, and distinct identity, making it feel like a true prize for the company's best young talent, setting it apart from the main roster titles. Moreover, it was held by top stars like Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens.

14- WWE Tag Team Championship (2002-2010)

These Ruthless Aggression Era Tag Team belts featured a sleek, blue aesthetic that was reminiscent of the Undisputed Title's boldness. They looked like proper, important championships, with distinct plates that complemented each other. They possessed a sharp, contemporary look that conveyed the seriousness of the tag team division, feeling like genuine, synchronized titles for a top-tier duo on the SmackDown brand.

13- Lucha Underground Gift of the Gods Championship (2015-2018)

This championship from the mystical Lucha Underground promotion had one of the most unique concepts: it was a belt formed by seven smaller medallions, each won separately. The belt itself had a distinctive, ancient, almost Aztec-inspired aesthetic. This inventive design and unique winning structure made it a standout, blending the wrestling prize with a high-fantasy, collectible concept.

12- NXT UK Championship (2016-2022)

In an era where championship designs are rather simplistic in WWE, the NXT UK Title was introduced with an eye to the classics, with an intricate golden design with glimmers of red jewels, encapsulating the traditions and integrity of British wrestling, and didn't fall into the trap of WWE's other designs from around the company. Held by the likes of Gunther and Pete Dunne, it was one of the more special belts of its day, despite the misgivings of the NXT UK brand itself.

11- WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (1991-2001)

This version of the WCW U.S. Heavyweight Championship was a substantial and attractive title. Its large plate featured prominent eagles and a detailed globe. It looked incredibly prestigious, adding significant value to the mid-card, especially during the height of the Monday Night Wars. It looked like a legitimate, major championship, helping to establish the title's standing beneath the Big Gold Belt.

10- IWGP United States Championship (2017-2023)

This one may certainly be down to the taste, but the IWGP United States Championship was one of the most unique yet gorgeous-looking titles in wrestling. It has intricate designs on the center plate, a deep red strap, and it encapsulates the US better than most American promotions have managed to do with their own US Title, particularly WWE. It looked different from all other NJPW belts, making it stand out. Moreover, it was held by the likes of Cody Rhodes, Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega.

9- WWE Intercontinental Championship (1985-1997)

The traditional black-strap Intercontinental Championship belt is arguably the most beautiful secondary title ever. Its smaller size and elegant, colorful central globe plate framed by two detailed plates gave it a distinct look. It felt like a true "workhorse" title for the company’s best in-ring competitors, including Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. It was a sophisticated design that perfectly balanced athleticism and artistry.

8- NWA World's Heavyweight Championship (1973-1986, 1994-Present)

Known affectionately as the "Ten Pounds of Gold," this traditional design represents the history of professional wrestling itself. Its prominent, rounded globe center plate emphasizes its 'World' title status, with side plates featuring the various competing territories. This belt is simple yet authoritative, lacking the flash of later belts but exuding a peerless sense of tradition, legacy, and undeniable prestige. Moreover, it was held by legends like Harley Race and Ric Flair during its heyday.

7- AEW World Championship (2019-Present)

AEW spared no expense when creating its World Championship. Loaded with gold, gems, and massive plates, the title was designed to look like a million bucks—and its debut by Bret Hart only added to its prestige. Always gleaming under the lights, the belt symbolizes AEW’s emphasis on legitimacy and competition. With major names like Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, Kenny Omega, Hangman Page, CM Punk, and MJF holding the gold, it remains one of wrestling’s most exclusive prizes.

6- TNA World Heavyweight Championship (2007-2010)

The first major TNA World Heavyweight Championship belt, used from 2007–2010, offered a distinctively modern, sharp look. Its massive, uniquely shaped plates featured the TNA logo prominently, set against bold gold and silver. It was a clear attempt to establish a new, formidable world title outside of the WWE aesthetic and was held by legends such as Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, and Samoa Joe.

5- IWGP Heavyweight Championship (2008-2021)

The IWGP V4 belt is a sleek, modern, and highly respected design that exudes toughness and legitimacy. Its shield-like main plate and unique angular design with prominent company emblems differentiate it from American belts. This version is beloved for its balanced aesthetic—it looks strong and prestigious without being overly flashy. It is the championship of legends like Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi.

4- "Big Eagle" WWF Championship (1998–2002)

Replacing the Winged Eagle, the Big Eagle design grew larger, bolder, and more detailed, perfectly suiting the brash Attitude Era. It retained the central eagle motif but was more aggressive in appearance, featuring prominent company logos. It is most closely associated with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock, embodying the rebellious, main event-level intensity of that period. It looked less refined and more like a massive, undeniable prize.

3- Undisputed WWE Championship (2002-2005)

When the WWF and WCW titles were unified, the Undisputed Championship was born. It featured a large, multi-layered center plate with a globe and eagle, symbolizing total dominance. This belt looked heavy, serious, and all business, blending classic and modern elements. Held by Brock Lesnar, Triple H, Kurt Angle and Eddie Guerrero, it represented a new era of competitive excellence and unified company strength.

2- Big Gold Belt (1986-2001 in WCW and 2002-2014 in WWE)

Originating in the NWA and most famously used in WCW and later WWE, the Big Gold Belt is synonymous with sophistication and history. Its intricate design features a central globe and detailed laurel wreaths, giving it an aura of worldwide importance and pure class. Carried by champions such as Ric Flair, Edge, Batista and The Undertaker, its sheer size and ornate craftsmanship made it look like the most formidable and expensive prize in wrestling.

1- Winged Eagle WWF Championship (1988–1998)

The Winged Eagle is widely considered the gold standard of championship belts. Its elegant, majestic design features a large central eagle with its wings majestically spread wide across the main plate, perfectly symbolizing prestige and dominance. Held by legends like Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold Steve Austin, it represents the heart of WWE's "Golden Era" and "New Generation." It has a timeless, classic look that truly screams "World Champion."