History of WWE Title Belts

The history of the WWE title belt dates back to 1963; however, at that time the organization was not known as the WWE. The WWE was once known as the WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation) and then the WWF (World Wrestling Federation) before a lawsuit forced it to change its name. Over the years, many wrestlers have held the title belt, including Buddy Rogers, Hulk Hogan, and Bret Hart, though other popular wrestlers have never won the title belt.

  1. Early History

    • Early wrestling matches took place in New York.

      The first wrestler to win a WWE (then WWWF) title belt was Buddy Rogers in 1963 when he defeated Antonino Rocca in Rio de Janeiro. Rogers would lose the title belt later that year to Bruno Sammartino on May 17, 1963, in a match that took place in New York's Madison Square Garden. Sammartino held the belt for eight years, lost it in 1971, but regained it in 1973 when he defeated Stan Stasiak at the Garden. He lost it for good in 1977 to Superstar Billy Graham. Since the title belt was first introduced, it's been held by numerous wrestlers, including Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage and The Rock.

    Records

    • Triple H holds the record for most title belts won with eight.

      The wrestler with the most title belt wins in his career is Triple H, who has won the belt eight times. Prior to that, the record for most title belts ever won belonged to The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), who defeated The Undertaker and Kurt Angle in a three-way match to win his seventh. Triple H earned his eighth title belt after he defeated Jeff Hardy, Edge, The Undertaker, The Big Show, and Vladimir Kozlov in an elimination match on Feb. 15, 2009.

    Hulk Hogan

    • One of the most popular WWE wrestlers to ever hold the title belt was Hulk Hogan, who first won the belt in 1984 by defeating the Iron Sheik. Hogan would hold onto the title belt until 1988. In 1986, Hulk successfully defended his title against King Kong Bundy, Hercules Hernandez, Don Muraco, Paul Orndorff, and Terry Funk. Hogan would eventually lose the title belt to the Ultimate Warrior during WrestleMania VI and, after winning it back, to the Undertaker in the 1991 Survivor Series. Hogan has won the title belt a total of six times during his long career.

    Belts

    • Buddy Rogers had to put a $25,000 deposit down on his title belt.

      Since the WWF officially became the WWE, the title belt has had a variety of looks. The first title belt to feature the WWE logo was held by just three wrestlers: Hollywood Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, and Triple H. Earlier versions of the belt had the initials WWF engraved on the front. Some wrestlers, such as Edge, have had custom-made belts. Back in 1963, when Buddy Rogers held the title belt, he was required to make a deposit of $25,000 to ensure he wouldn't steal it.

    Losers

    • Some popular wrestlers have never won the WWE title belt.

      While some WWE wrestlers have won the title belt numerous times, other wrestlers, despite their popularity, have never won it. Such wrestlers include Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Mr. Perfect, "Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, Rowdy Roddy Piper, The British Bulldog, and "The Bird Man" Koko B Ware. Andre the Giant won the title belt once; however, he had it stripped after his fight was determined invalid.