Championship belts are a vital part of professional wrestling, symbolizing prestige, legacy, and dominance in the ring. Over the years, various titles have come and gone, either retired, rebranded, or completely forgotten by fans. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most fascinating lost and forgotten championship belts in wrestling history.

1. The WWE European Championship (1997 - 2002)

The WWE European Championship was introduced in 1997, with The British Bulldog becoming the first champion. The title was created to give WWE’s European tours more significance, but over time, it became a secondary mid-card belt. Some of the greatest superstars, including Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and Eddie Guerrero, held the title. However, by 2002, the championship lost relevance and was unified with the Intercontinental Championship by Rob Van Dam, marking its end.

2. The WWE Hardcore Championship (1998 - 2002)

A title that defined the Attitude Era, the WWE Hardcore Championship was introduced in 1998 and became famous for its 24/7 rule, allowing it to be defended anytime, anywhere. Memorable champions included Mick Foley (as Mankind), Crash Holly, and The Big Boss Man. While it provided entertaining and chaotic moments, WWE retired the belt in 2002 after it was unified with the Intercontinental Championship. The 24/7 concept was revived in 2019 with the WWE 24/7 Championship, but even that was discontinued in 2022.

3. The WCW Television Championship (1974 - 2000)

Originally introduced in the NWA as the NWA Television Championship, this belt became a WCW staple before its demise in 2000. The title was created to showcase rising stars and mid-card wrestlers on weekly TV broadcasts. Legendary holders like Arn Anderson, Sting, and Steve Austin (as Stunning Steve) helped elevate its prestige. Unfortunately, after WCW was bought by WWE in 2001, the belt was never reinstated.

4. The WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991 - 2007, 2016 - 2022)

The Cruiserweight Championship had multiple incarnations, first appearing in WCW before WWE took it over. The title was a platform for high-flying, fast-paced wrestling, with greats like Rey Mysterio and Chavo Guerrero holding it. After being retired in 2007, WWE revived it in 2016, only to once again phase it out by 2022, with the NXT North American Championship taking its place.

5. The Million Dollar Championship (1989 - 1992, sporadically revived)

Created by “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, the Million Dollar Championship was never officially recognized as an active WWE title but was used as a symbol of wealth and power. It was briefly brought back in 2010 for Ted DiBiase Jr. and again in 2021 for NXT’s LA Knight and Cameron Grimes. Despite its brief revivals, the belt remains more of a gimmick title than a true championship.

6. The WCW Hardcore Championship (1999 - 2001)

In an attempt to replicate WWE’s successful Hardcore division, WCW introduced the Hardcore Championship in 1999. However, due to WCW’s disorganization, the title never gained much credibility. It was retired when WWE acquired WCW in 2001, and it was never acknowledged in WWE history.

7. The AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1960 - 1990)

The American Wrestling Association (AWA) was once a major promotion, rivaling WWE and NWA. Its world championship was held by legends like Verne Gagne, Nick Bockwinkel, and Curt Hennig. However, as the AWA declined in the late 1980s, the title was abandoned in 1990. Unlike WCW and ECW titles, WWE never officially acknowledged or revived the AWA belt.

8. The WWE Women's Tag Team Championship (1983 - 1989, Revived in 2019)

Before the modern Women’s Tag Team Titles were introduced in 2019, WWE had an earlier version in the 1980s. Teams like The Jumping Bomb Angels and The Glamour Girls fought for these titles, but due to the lack of depth in the women’s division at the time, the belts were abandoned in 1989. WWE later introduced a new Women’s Tag Team Championship in 2019, giving the division a fresh start.

Conclusion

Wrestling history is filled with championship belts that once held great prestige but ultimately faded away. Whether due to company buyouts, division changes, or shifts in fan interest, these belts serve as reminders of past eras in wrestling. While some might never return, their legacy remains in the memories of wrestling fans.

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FAQs About Lost & Forgotten Championship Belts

1. Why do wrestling championships get retired?

Championships are usually retired due to changes in branding, lack of competition, or company mergers. Sometimes, a title is unified with another championship, making it unnecessary.

2. Could any of these forgotten titles make a comeback?

Yes! WWE has revived several championships before, such as the Cruiserweight and Women’s Tag Team Championships. However, some belts, like the AWA World Title, are unlikely to return due to ownership issues.

3. What was the most famous lost championship belt?

The WWE Hardcore Championship is one of the most famous lost titles, primarily due to its wild 24/7 rule and memorable moments during the Attitude Era.

4. Why was the European Championship discontinued?

The WWE European Championship lost its importance over time and was eventually unified with the Intercontinental Championship in 2002 to reduce the number of mid-card titles.

5. What happened to the Million Dollar Championship?

The Million Dollar Championship was never an official title but rather a prop used by Ted DiBiase. It has made occasional appearances in WWE, most recently in NXT in 2021.

6. Is there a market for replica belts of retired championships?

Absolutely! Many fans love collecting replicas of classic and retired championships. Some rare or limited-edition replicas can even become valuable collectibles.

7. Were there any other forgotten championships not listed here?

Yes, there have been many lesser-known titles over the years, such as the WCW Six-Man Tag Team Championship and the WWF Canadian Championship, which had very short lifespans.

8. What is the rarest wrestling championship belt?

One of the rarest is the WWF North American Heavyweight Championship, which existed for a brief time in the late 1970s before being replaced by the Intercontinental Championship.