WWE & Sport
The WWE is filled with titles, but do you know the difference?
There are eight major championships in the WWE, each awarding blingy belts covered with real gold and gems. But what’s the difference between the US Championship and the WWE Universal title? Presenting part 1 of our guide to WWE gold – we start with the five Raw titles:
UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Created: 25 July 2016, when it replaced the WWE Championship title.
What it is: the main belt in the Raw stable, worn by the biggest-name star at the moment. It’s normally for the Raw entrant in the WrestleMania main event match the following year.
Holder: Brock Lesnar, who beat Goldberg at WrestleMania 33 in April 2017.
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Created: 1 September 1979 – it’s the third-oldest WWE championship actively used today. What it is: a mid- card title that keeps rising wrestlers hungry and established Superstars satisfied with a belt when their storylines run flat.
Holder: The Miz, who beat Dean Ambrose at Extreme Rules in June 2017.
RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Created: 3 April 2016, when it replaced the WWE Divas Championship during the brand split event. What it is: Raw’s major title for its women wrestlers. It was called the Women’s Championship until September 2016. Holder: Alexa Bliss, only the second- ever holder after beating Sasha Banks on an episode of Raw in August 2017.
CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Created: 4 September 2016, replacing the original title used from ’91 to ’07 in the WWE and WCW. What it is: a championship for wrestlers weighing 93kg and under. It’s often called the light heavyweight title too. Holder: Enzo Amore, who defeated Neville at No Mercy in September.
RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Created: 20 October 2002 What it is: the championship title for duo teams, who tag each other in and out of matches. Holders: Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, who beat Cesaro and Sheamus at SummerSlam in August 2017.