5 Retired WWE Belt Designs We Want Back (& 5 We Don't)

One of the most iconic symbols of this world-renowned organization is its championship belts. From the classic designs of the '80s and '90s to the modern, sleek styles of today, these belts represent the pinnacle of success and achievement in WWE.

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But with so many different belt designs over the years, it's only natural that some have stood the test of time while others have fallen by the wayside. In this article, we'll take a look at 5 retired WWE belt designs that we'd love to see back in action, as well as 5 that are best left in the past.

10 We Want Back: WWE World Tag Team Championship

During the Golden Era, WWE boasted the strongest tag team division in wrestling history, with legendary teams such as The British Bulldogs, The Hart Foundation, and Demolition all competing for the prestigious WWE World Tag Team Championship. The championship belt itself was a masterpiece, with an eagle perched atop a globe and intricate designs etched into the rectangular center plate. Despite several updates to the side plates over the years, the belt's beauty remained unrivaled. It is a huge step up from the current "Fruit Roll-up" tag team titles.

9 We Don't Want: WWE Divas Championship

Back in 2008, Vickie Guerrero, the general manager of SmackDown, came up with the idea of creating the Divas Championship, as a countermeasure to Raw's Women's Championship. This new belt featured a stunning butterfly backdrop cover adorned with sparkling gems, complemented by delicate pastel hues.

Although the Divas Championship lasted for nearly eight years, until 2016, it was frequently changing hands, with a total of twenty-six title exchanges, and lacking noteworthy reigns or defenses. Unfortunately, the belt served as a tangible reminder of how marginalized the women's division was during that period.

8 We Want Back: Winged Eagle

The privilege of holding the WWE Championship belt was bestowed upon some of the WWE's most accomplished performers, including Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, and Shawn Michaels. At the heart of the belt's design is a circular center plate adorned with a globe and an eagle. The eagle's wings break through the belt lending the belt its now-legendary moniker.

Rectangular side plates, etched with the WWE logo and other designs, complete the ensemble. Cody Rhodes has even mentioned bringing the belt back. The current design of WWE's top prize is great, but the "Winged Eagle" seems like the standard for modern audiences.

7 We Don't Want: John Cena’s Spinning US Title

John Cena's introduction of two WWE titles, the spinner version of the United States Championship and the gaudy WWE Championship featured spinning centerpieces that made them appear like cheap toys.

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While breaking away from tradition can be successful, WWE's attempt to create titles for Cena went too far and resulted in designs that were too flashy and lacked the serious tone that championship belts should embody. They did sell well though. It's a relic that deserves to not be seen.

6 We Want Back: World Heavyweight Championship

The retirement of the big gold belt that defined WCW, left many wondering if the successor could ever measure up to its legendary predecessor. Upon its reveal, the new NWA World Championship proved to be even greater than its predecessor. "Big Gold," with its two side plates and one central plate, truly lives up to its name as a stunning, sizable golden belt.

The intricate etching and gemstones adorning all three plates add to its allure. Remarkably, the title lasted for an extended period and is the only significant World Championship to have been contested in NWA, WCW and WWE.

5 We Don't Want: The Original WWE Championship

The WWE Championship's inaugural design holds a significant place in history as it marked the beginning of a legendary wrestling legacy. While its uniqueness was notable for the time, its design pales in comparison to subsequent championship titles. The loosely fitted strap and less-than-neatly affixed plates are not as refined as later designs.

Nevertheless, its place in history cannot be denied. Active for 10 years from 1963, the first WWE champion was Buddy Rodgers, and the last was Bruno Sammartino. The title's iconic status endures, despite its dated aesthetics, making it a cornerstone of the WWE's rich heritage.

4 We Want Back: '80s WWE Intercontinental Championship

For many years, the Intercontinental Championship held a prestigious status as the "workhorse" championship in WWE. Holding the belt was a clear indication of being one of the best performers in the promotion at the time. Despite not being a world title, the Intercontinental Championship became highly coveted by many.

The 80's belt's rectangular triple-stacked center plate with four side plates featured an etched WWE logo and grappling designs. The center plate had a blue-filled globe and the WWE logo alternated between gold and red. A version of this title was revived at the WWE and it will always be welcomed.

3 We Don't Want: Hardcore Championship

The WWE Hardcore title, created in 1998, marked the inception of a hardcore wrestling division within WWE. It was defended on TV shows, house shows, and pay-per-views before being retired in 2002. The title kept undercard wrestlers busy when WWE had a stacked roster. In 2000, a rule was applied to the belt where it had to be defended at all times. This led to several backstage skits where champion Crash Holly fought off other wrestlers in various locations.

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The title's design was changed by JBL and Tommy Dreamer, both making it look even worse. JBL changed it to the Texas Hardcore Championship, featuring the state flag of Texas, while Tommy Dreamer's version was the New York Hardcore Championship, with a centerpiece of a New York License Plate. Most of them were all equally bad and no one is longing for this title to return.

2 ​​​​We Want Back: Big Eagle Title (1998-2002)

The WWE Championship title design from 1998-2002 (aka the Big Eagle) is one of the more memorable ones for wrestling fans. Its stunning appearance is undoubtedly a reason why it's held in high regard, particularly due to its classy look and prominent big eagle feature.

This design's popularity was further enhanced by its association with WWE's hottest period, which is remembered fondly by many fans. The circle design in the middle adds to its appeal, and the pop of blue color makes it stand out. Notable titleholders such as Steve Austin, The Rock, Mankind, The Undertaker, Triple H, and Kurt Angle all held this iconic title.

1 We Don't Want: Unified WWE Tag Team Championships (2010 - 2016)

While the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship may share some similarities with contemporary championship titles, the difference in their color scheme fails to distinguish them significantly. Although the unified titles represented a slight advancement, they swiftly regressed when they were split into the Raw and Smackdown Championships. Overall, it is safe to say that no one desires a championship title in this form in WWE, and revival of these would not do much for fans.