Ranking the WWE Belts (1980-Current)

[The Doctor]

The Attitude era WWE Championship is a work of art. I love that belt!

[Todd Pettengill]

The Top 4 WWE Belts 1980 - Current

Here we are. The Final Four. These are the cream of the crop.

#4 - The Classic "Winged Eagle"


OOOOH YEAH!

The Winged Eagle was the top belt in the WWF. This beauty was around for 11 years, and it was never held by anyone less than legendary. Hulk Hogan was the first to hoist the "Winged Eagle" over his head, and Stone Cold Steve Austin was the last. The strap was generally black, but it did come in a variety of candy colors for certain champions.



The "Winged Eagle" remains many peoples favorite. It's unknown how the belt got the strange nickname, (When aren't eagles generally winged?), But that's not important. What is important, this is one of the finest belts to ever grace WWE programming.











#3 - The Million Dollar Championship


Money. Money. Money. Money. Money.

Everybody's got a price if your carrying this bad boy. After numerous failed attempts to win, steal, & buy the Winged eagle (#4) off of Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage, Ted Dibiase had his own custom championship belt commissioned. The resulting Million Dollar Championship may be one of the most breathtaking belts ever created. The belt had various runs in the 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s. Because the belt wasn't sanctioned by the WWF, the champion decided if he was putting it on the line. Dibiase lost the belt to his former servant Virgil, after Roddy Piper rid the WWF of slavery & freed Virgil from his master. Winning this title was easily the biggest moment of Virgil's career. The title was later the launching pad for the "Ringmaster" Steve Austin. Recently, Ted Dibiase Jr brought the belt back to the WWE. Goldust captured/stole the Million Dollar Championship & was the last superstar regularly featured on TV with the belt. Ted Dibiase had the belt on display front & center when he was inducted to the Hall of Fame. The Million Dollar Belt was made of gold, cubic zirconia, and diamonds. It's rumored to have a value in the range of six figures. The Million Dollar Championship proves everybody's got a price.












#2 - The Classic Intercontinental Championship


#2 is #2

The Intercontinental Championship was for the #2 guy in WWF, and it comes in at #2 on this list. The classic Intercontinental Belt was beautiful. It had well designed plates that popped out on TV a little better than the Winged Eagle (#4). Strangely, the belt was a little bigger than the Winged Eagle as well. At certain points, the IC belt was more coveted than the World Title. Like the Winged Eagle, the IC belt came in a variety of cotton candy colors, which increased it's aura. Shawn Michaels & Razor Ramon had a famous feud where both wrestlers appeared on TV with their own copies of the title. The dispute was settled in one of the most famous ladder matches of all time, on the biggest stage of them all. After a dozen years of use, this model was retired in March 1998, but it's still remember as one of the best looking belts of all time.









We are left with one belt.




Here it is....





#1 - The Stone Cold Smoking Skull



Gimme a Hell Yeah!

The Smoking Skull Belt may not only be the best looking belt ever to grace the WWE, but it's also the coolest, and perfectly defines the attitude era. The Smoking Skull was commissioned by Federation Champion Steve Austin without the knowledge of Vince McMahon. The belt had gold plates that featured snakes and skulls, the motifs of Austin. The back of the strap was made with snakehide, giving it an extra cool look when carried, which is how Austin wore belts. The Smoking Skull did end up in the hands of that dastardly Rock. Legend has it, McMahon was furious with Austin for showing up unannounced on TV with the Smoking Skull. But, it was too late. The Fans had spoken. They wanted to see their favorite belt back on TV, and Vince relented. The Smoking Skull is the best looking, and coolest belt to ever appear on WWE programming, and that's the Bottom line cuz Stone Cold said so!





Thanks for checking out this list. I hope you enjoyed it!

[The Doctor]

Nice read. Thanks for putting that together, very entertaining.

Have to say I was surprised by #1. When I started reading the thread my money was on the 'Big Gold', 'Winged Eagle' or the Attitude Era belt to get #1.

[gnr123]

The...Stone Cold belt.

Really?

[BigJerichool222]

Jul 4, 2011 18:51:22 GMT -5 gnr123 said:

The...Stone Cold belt.

Really?

It's a work.

[percymania]

What a swerve! Entertaining read though. Good job.

[Hit Girl]

The "Winged Eagle" remains many peoples favorite. It's unknown how the belt got the strange nickname, (When aren't eagles generally winged?),

The "wings" refer to the bent bars on the sides of the eagle.

[mrjl]

You've invalidated your entire thread.

[wcw]

While I don't hate the divas title (Its not a serious title so there is no harm in it being the way it is) it still isn't the best designed title. Also number 32 should be the John Cena US title belt seriously that thing looked so ugly, it was like they put a ugly collectible plate on a title belt.

Spinner belt should be much lower its so freaking shitty.

1- Big Gold Belt
2- Classic IC title
3- Undisputed title

[Hit Girl]

People are always going to disagree on the exact order of the rankings.

Personally, I'm just glad to look at the pictures and enjoy them. Some nice looking belts.

[Cronant]

Hahaha glad I'm not the only one who likes the divas titles over the generic womens belt. It was just a big oval with "Womens champion" in red. And black and silver are awesome for a belt.

I don't feel so dirty now.

[King Ghidorah]

I did not start reading this thread until the entire rankings was posted, very nice read. Thanks Govna.

[Todd Pettengill]

Jul 4, 2011 19:34:31 GMT -5 Hit Girl said:

People are always going to disagree on the exact order of the rankings.

Personally, I'm just glad to look at the pictures and enjoy them. Some nice looking belts.

This is the attitude that I hope anyone who reads this has. This was a real fun list to compile, and research. I was hoping it would promote good, fun discussion.

Jul 4, 2011 18:48:54 GMT -5 The Doctor said:

Nice read. Thanks for putting that together, very entertaining.

Have to say I was surprised by #1. When I started reading the thread my money was on the 'Big Gold', 'Winged Eagle' or the Attitude Era belt to get #1.

Thanks. Those are all great belts & I love em. I've always felt the SCSA Belt was awesome & it's something that really stuck out, in a good way.


I also agree on your earlier comments about belts generally being brash & over the top in wrestling (overkill isn't good though).

[Shaun2k5]

I stopped reading when I realized the divas belt was somewhere above the womens belt.

The Divas belt is tacky and represents how far the division has fallen in recent years. From being a credible division of fighters to a barbie quartet of non-wrestler models.

[Citizen Zero]

Dispute about the rankings aside it was neat seeing some of the older belt designs.

[Ringmaster]

smoking skull belt.............

[klapaucius]

nice list.

[T.J. "the Crippler" Stevens]

Cool list. Whether I agree with the rankings or not, that was a fun read and I appreciate all of the pictures. Thank you.

[froggyfrog]

Jul 5, 2011 1:11:22 GMT -5 Ringmaster said:

smoking skull belt.............

[Cronant]

Jul 4, 2011 23:20:40 GMT -5 Shaun2k5 said:

I stopped reading when I realized the divas belt was somewhere above the womens belt.

The Divas belt is tacky and represents how far the division has fallen in recent years. From being a credible division of fighters to a barbie quartet of non-wrestler models.

That old womens belt has changed hands and was often defended in evening gown pool matches.

Lets not act like its the NWA title for women.