We all know what pro wrestling is. Those that claim that championships are meaningless in the world of pro wrestling should stop watching or reading any form of entertainment.
Why do I say that? Let me give an example.
In Star Wars the goal is to defeat the empire. It gives our heroes something to achieve and fight for, and it gives the villains a reason for their actions. Since it is just a movie, they shouldn’t do anything at all, right.
Championships in the world of pro wrestling are that goal all the wrestlers are motivated for, it is what they must achieve. For this who have it, they must defend it.
The WWE has five titles: DIVAS, US, Intercontinental, World Tag Team and World Heavyweight. Let’s take a quick look at them.
DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP
This started life as a separate title from the Women’s title, and eventually became the main title. It does not have the prestige of the women’s title. Yes, Nattie, Beth Phoenix, Mickie James and AJ Lee do ad prestige to the title, but when the most reigns are held by Eve Torres and her name is held up as a premiere DIVAS champion (tied with AJ Lee) that doesn’t mean much.
None of them have the prestige of Mullah or Medusa (Alyndra Blaze).
It doesn’t help how the WWE treats the DIVAS as an afterthought. Give the divas better treatment and the title will mean more.
US CHAMPIONSHIP
This is a major title with a long heritage and history that could almost rival the NWA and WCW World Titles. Harley Race, Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Dusty Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes, Sting, Magnum TA, Lex Luger are just a few of the great names who have held it prior to the WWE.
There have also been some great WWE US champions, MVP for One. Rusev for another.
This is a MAJOR title in the history of pro wrestling, and it being treated like such at the moment. It still has meaning.
WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The sad fact is that these are not the original World Tag Titles, but the second version introduced few years ago. Still, right now these titles are gaining prestige – except for being put down to the Mania Pre-Show.
We have not had this strong of a field going for the titles in a long time. This is good and it gives the title more meaning.
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The second most important and prestige title in the WWE. Arguable the second most important and prestige in all of pro wrestling.
Perhaps the greatest WrestleMania Match of all Time (Savage versus Steamboat) was for the IC Title. Perhaps the greatest Summerslam match of all time (Bulldog versus Hitman) was for the IC Title. The IC Title is the only other WWE Title to headline a PPV.
There are many times in the history of the WWE that the Intercontinental title has be more hotly contested for then the World title. Right now is one of those times.
The Intercontinental title is an important part of the history of the WWE. How it is being treated right now, with so many talent vying for and demanding the title for themselves, its future looks bright.
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE CHAMPIONSHIP
What I am going to write actually pains me. The WWE World Title, despite being unified with a version of the WCW World titled twice, is still the same title held by Sammartino, Morales, Backlund, Hogan, Savage, Warrior, Hart, Michaels, Austin, Rock.
Almost every champion held this title with pride. It meant something . . . until Summerslam 2014.
Brock Lesnar has defended the title only twice in 7 months. WrestleMania will mark only his third title defense.
Because of Lesnar’s absence, there has been no feud for the world title. No one has been fighting for a chance to face the champion. Rollins has only tried to cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase once.
Instead, what did we get? Five months of Cena versus the authority.
I wrote in the opening that titles are the goal for any wrestler. But what if there is no goal, nothing to achieve? Then one has nothing to do and they have no direction.
This is what it pains me to write: The World Title has been too absent, and it is currently meaningless and worthless.
RANKING THE TITLES:
The following is a ranking of the titles from least important to most important.
LEAST IMPORTANT:
WORLD: Rarely around, rarely defended, rare importance.
DIVAS: At least this is around on a regular basis.
WORLD TAG: Hotly contest right now.
US: Rusev takes on all comers and doesn’t back down, and wins in dominate fashion.
MOST IMPORTANT:
INTERCONTINENTAL: Right now this is the most important title in the WWE. What other titles are seven men fighting for?
Ace Masters
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