AEW TNT Championship

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
AEW TNT Championship
New AEW TNT Title.jpg
The standard TNT Championship belt
(2021–present)
Details
PromotionAll Elite Wrestling
Date establishedMarch 30, 2020
Current champion(s)Cody Rhodes
Date wonDecember 22, 2021
(aired December 25, 2021)

The AEW TNT Championship is a professional wrestling television championship created and promoted by the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Established on March 30, 2020, it is named after the TNT television network, which currently airs AEW's primary programs, Dynamite and Rampage. Cody Rhodes, then known simply as Cody, was the inaugural champion, and he is also the current champion in his record third reign.

History[]

Inaugural, record three-time, and current champion Cody Rhodes

In September 2019, a month before All Elite Wrestling (AEW) launched their first weekly television program, Dynamite, AEW Executive Vice President and wrestler Cody teased that the promotion would eventually debut a television championship, but their focus at that time was on their other recently established titles.[1] In February 2020, wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer directly asked Cody on the possibility of the promotion adding a secondary championship. Although he did not confirm or deny it, Cody did not rule out the possibility of a secondary or "mid-card" title debuting that year.[2] The following month on March 30 on AEW's YouTube series Road to Dynamite, a secondary championship was officially announced. AEW play-by-play commentator and senior producer Tony Schiavone revealed that there would be an eight-man, single-elimination tournament to crown the first-ever AEW TNT Champion.[3] The tournament began on the April 8 episode of Dynamite with the final scheduled for Double or Nothing on May 23.[4] On the April 29 episode, Cody and Lance Archer won their respective semifinals matches, setting up the inaugural championship match.[5]

At Double or Nothing, Cody defeated Archer to become the inaugural champion. Former professional boxer Mike Tyson presented the championship to Cody.[6] His first reign with the title included an 'open challenge' where he would defend the title on a near weekly televised basis, even to independent wrestlers outside the promotion. These performances notably led to the signings of Ricky Starks and Eddie Kingston. In November during Cody's second reign as TNT Champion, his ring name was lengthened to Cody Rhodes following a legal battle with WWE over the trademark for the name.[7]

During the Jon Huber Memorial Show, which was the December 30, 2020 episode of Dynamite, AEW announced that they had retired the red strap version of the title belt that had been used up to that point to honor Huber, whose ring name was Mr. Brodie Lee, the second TNT Champion, who unexpectedly died on December 26; Lee's final match was on the October 7 episode of Dynamite where he unsuccessfully defended the TNT Championship against Cody Rhodes in a Dog Collar match. The retired TNT Championship belt was given to Huber's son, Brodie Lee Jr. (real name Brodie Huber), who was honored as being "TNT Champion for life" by AEW President and Chief Executive Officer Tony Khan. AEW commentator Tony Schiavone clarified that only the belt design was retired, not the championship itself;[8][9] a new black strap version of the belt was debuted by champion Darby Allin during Night 1 of the special New Year's Smash episode of Dynamite on January 6, 2021.[10]

Name[]

The championship is named after the TNT television network, which currently airs AEW's primary programs, Dynamite and Rampage, the latter of which premiered in August 2021. TNT's parent company WarnerMedia requested AEW to create the title and have it named as the TNT Championship.[11] In the press release about the title, Tony Khan stated "it's only fitting that the champion and the title belt will carry the logo of the globally-respected TNT brand, and that they'll represent not only AEW but also the great quality programming, massive reach, and storied history in the wrestling business that are all associated with TNT."[12]

In January 2022, Dynamite will move to TNT's sister channel TBS, which is also owned by WarnerMedia, while Rampage will remain on TNT.[13][14] Despite Dynamite moving to TBS, Dave Meltzer reported that the TNT Championship would not be renamed. Additionally, while Rampage will remain on TNT, AEW will still produce quarterly television specials on the channel, and the championship will be defended on these specials.[15] Cody Rhodes also affirmed that there were no plans to rename the championship and that there were no plans for a separate TBS Championship for male wrestlers.[16] In October 2021, however, the promotion did introduce the AEW TBS Championship, but as a secondary championship for their women's division.[17]

Inaugural tournament[]

The first half of the TNT Championship Tournament bracket was announced on the March 31, 2020 episode of Dark,[18] with the second half revealed on the following night's Dynamite.[19] The tournament began on the April 8 episode of Dynamite and concluded at Double or Nothing on May 23.[4]

Quarterfinals
Dynamite
(April 8, 15, 22, 2020) 		Semifinals
Dynamite
(April 29, 2020) 		Final
Double or Nothing
(May 23, 2020)
         
Cody Pin
Shawn Spears 21:38[20]
Cody Pin
Darby Allin 20:10[5]
Sammy Guevara 10:50[21]
Darby Allin Pin
Cody Pin
Lance Archer 22:00[6]
Dustin Rhodes Pin
Kip Sabian 14:10[21]
Dustin Rhodes 22:45[5]
Lance Archer Pin
Colt Cabana 12:42[22]
Lance Archer Pin

Belt design[]

The original red strap version of the TNT Championship belt; in honor of the late Mr. Brodie Lee (Jon Huber), the championship's second title holder, this red strap version of the title belt was retired on December 30, 2020, and given to Lee's son Brodie Lee Jr. (Brodie Huber), who was named honorary "TNT Champion for life"

The TNT Championship belt has six plates, which were originally on a red leather strap. The center plate prominently features the TNT network logo at the center. Above the TNT logo is AEW's logo, while below the TNT logo is a red banner that says "CHAMPION". The two inner side plates feature "Tara on Techwood", 1050 Techwood Drive in Atlanta, the building that was the original home of TNT. The two outer side plates feature AEW's logo, while a third smaller side plate on the far right side also features the promotion's logo. When the belt was initially unveiled at Double or Nothing on May 23, it was on a red leather strap but had no plating as production of the belt had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; it was also revealed that the final version would have gold plating and be unveiled at a later date.[6][23][24] The belt was produced by Ron Edwardsen of Red Leather, who also made the AEW World Tag Team Championship belts. He further said that there would also be nickel plating in addition to gold on the final version of the TNT Championship as well as a relief TNT logo.[25] The completed version of the belt was shown on AEW's Twitter just a few hours before the August 12 episode of Dynamite where the finished design was debuted for Cody's match against Scorpio Sky, where Cody retained.[26][27]

Following the unexpected death of the championship's second title holder Mr. Brodie Lee in December 2020, AEW retired the red strap version of the championship belt that had been used up to that point to honor Lee (similar to how sports teams retire a number).[8] During Night 1 of the special New Year's Smash episode of Dynamite on January 6, 2021, a new belt was unveiled by Darby Allin, featuring the same design as the previous belt but on a black leather strap as opposed to red.[28]

Customized designs[]

During Night 1 of Fyter Fest on July 14, 2021, reigning champion Miro introduced his own custom version of the championship belt that represented his hometown of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, as well as his persona change as "The Redeemer." The plates were on a white leather strap. The center plate was the same, however, the red banner was changed to green. Additionally, the two inner side plates were changed to feature the Coat of Arms for Plovdiv. The text below the Coat of Arms said "Древен и Вечен" (Bulgarian: Dreven i Vechen), which means "Ancient and Eternal". Miro's custom belt was made by Belts By Dan.[29]

After Sammy Guevara defeated Miro to win the title on the September 29, 2021, episode of Dynamite, Guevara was presented with a new championship belt. This belt returned to the design of the standard black strap version introduced by Darby Allin, but with rhinestones added in the circular area behind the relief TNT logo, matching Guevara's bedazzled ring gear.[30] The TNT Championship's original designer, Ron Edwardsen, also designed Guevara's belt, which has a total of 1,577 rhinestones, which Edwardsen himself nicknamed the "TNT Bling" belt.[31]

Reigns[]

As of December 26, 2021, there have been seven reigns between five champions. Cody Rhodes, then known simply as Cody, was the inaugural champion. He also has the most reigns at three, with his second reign being the shortest in the title's history at 31 days. Darby Allin's reign is the longest at 186 days. Allin is also the youngest champion at the age of 27, while Mr. Brodie Lee was the oldest, winning the title at 40.

Cody Rhodes is the current champion in his record-setting third reign. He won the title by defeating Sammy Guevara on December 22, 2021, in Greensboro, North Carolina, which aired on tape delay on December 25 as the special Holiday Bash episode of Rampage.

Key
No. Overall reign number
Reign Reign number for the specific champion
Days Number of days held
Days recog. Number of days held recognized by the promotion
+ Current reign is changing daily
No. Champion Championship change Reign statistics Notes Ref.
Date Event Location Reign Days Days recog.
1 Cody May 23, 2020 Double or Nothing Jacksonville, FL 1 82 91 Defeated Lance Archer in a tournament final to become the inaugural champion. AEW recognizes Cody's reign as ending on August 22, 2020, when the following episode aired on tape delay. [3][6]
2 Mr. Brodie Lee August 13, 2020 Dynamite Jacksonville, FL 1 55 46 AEW recognizes Lee's reign as beginning on August 22, 2020, when the episode aired on tape delay. [32]
3 Cody Rhodes October 7, 2020 Dynamite:
Chris Jericho's 30th Anniversary Celebration 		Jacksonville, FL 2 31 31 This was a Dog Collar match.
Previously known as Cody. 		[33]
4 Darby Allin November 7, 2020 Full Gear Jacksonville, FL 1 186 186 [34]
5 Miro May 12, 2021 Dynamite Jacksonville, FL 1 140 140 [35]
6 Sammy Guevara September 29, 2021 Dynamite Rochester, NY 1 84 87 AEW recognizes Guevara's reign as ending on December 25, 2021, when the following episode aired on tape delay. [36]
7 Cody Rhodes December 22, 2021 Rampage:
Holiday Bash 		Greensboro, NC 3 4+ 1+ AEW recognizes Rhodes' reign as beginning on December 25, 2021, when the episode aired on tape delay. [37]

Combined reigns[]

Darby Allin holds the record for the longest reign at 186 days

As of December 26, 2021.

† Indicates the current champion
Rank Wrestler No. of
reigns 		Combined
days 		Combined days
rec. by AEW
1 Darby Allin 1 186
2 Miro 1 140
3 Cody Rhodes † 3 117+ 123+
4 Sammy Guevara 1 84 87
5 Mr. Brodie Lee 1 55 46

Notes[]

  1. ^ During his inaugural reign and through the majority of his second reign, his ring name was just Cody.

References[]

  1. ^ Fowler, Matt (September 7, 2019). "AEW on TNT: Cody Rhodes Wants Quality Over Quantity - IGN First". IGN. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  2. ^ Guzzo, Gisberto (February 11, 2020). "Cody Rhodes Says AEW Secondary Title Is Being Discussed". Fightful. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Currier, Joseph (March 30, 2020). "AEW INTRODUCING TNT CHAMPIONSHIP, TOURNAMENT TO BEGIN ON APRIL 8". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Powell, Jason (March 30, 2020). "AEW introducing the TNT Championship belt, winner to be crowned in a tournament". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Powell, Jason (April 29, 2020). "4/29 AEW Dynamite TV results: Powell's live review of Cody vs. Darby Allin and Dustin Rhodes vs. Lance Archer in TNT Title tournament semifinal matches, Best Friends vs. Jimmy Havoc and Kip Sabian, Brodie Lee vs. Marko Stunt, AEW Champ Jon Moxley's promo". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d Powell, Jason (May 23, 2020). "AEW Double Or Nothing results: Powell's live review of Cody vs. Lance Archer to become the first TNT Champion (Mike Tyson presents the belt), Jon Moxley vs. Brodie Lee for the AEW Championship, The Elite vs. The Inner Circle in a Stadium Stampede match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  7. ^ Powell, Jason (November 5, 2020). "AEW executive Cody comments on regaining the Cody Rhodes name from WWE". Pro Wresting Dot Net. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Droste, Ryan (December 30, 2020). "AEW Retires Current TNT Title Belt Design In Honor Of Brodie Lee, New Belt In Development". ComicBook.com. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  9. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (December 30, 2020). "Brodie Lee Jr Crowned As AEW TNT Champion For Life In Honor Of Brodie Lee, Brodie Jr's Belt Retired". Fightful. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  10. ^ Acero, Tony (January 6, 2021). "Join 411's Live AEW Dynamite New Year's Smash (Night One) Coverage". 411 Mania. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  11. ^ "Cody Rhodes AEW Double Or Nothing 2021 Pre-Show Media Call". Fightful. May 27, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  12. ^ AEW Staff (March 30, 2020). "AEW Announces Inaugural "TNT CHAMPIONSHIP" Tournament Beginning April 8 on AEW: DYNAMITE". All Elite Wrestling. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  13. ^ Nason, Josh (September 23, 2021). "AEW DYNAMITE MOVING TO TBS ON JANUARY 5, RAMPAGE STAYING ON TNT". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  14. ^ Joe Otterson (September 23, 2021). "'AEW: Dynamite' Sets January Date for TBS Move, 'Rampage' to Remain on TNT". Variety.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  15. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (May 20, 2021). "Report: AEW TNT Championship Won't Undergo Name Change Despite Move To TBS". Fightful. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  16. ^ Nason, Josh (May 27, 2021). "CODY RHODES AEW MEDIA CALL AUDIO: IN-FIGHTING RUMORS, NEW TITLES, MORE". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  17. ^ All Elite Wrestling [@AEWonTNT] (October 6, 2021). "Two years of #AEWDynamite and one more belt to add to @AEW: The TBS Championship" (Tweet). Retrieved October 6, 2021 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ Currier, Joseph (March 31, 2020). "AEW REVEALS FIRST HALF OF TNT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT BRACKET". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  19. ^ Nason, Josh (April 1, 2020). "AEW REVEALS FULL BRACKET FOR TNT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  20. ^ Barnett, Jake (April 8, 2020). "4/8 AEW Dynamite TV results: Barnett's live review of Cody vs. Shawn Spears in a TNT Title tournament quarterfinal match, Hikaru Shida vs. Britt Baker, Lance Archer and Brodie Lee in action". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  21. ^ a b Powell, Jason (April 22, 2020). "4/22 AEW Dynamite TV results: Powell's live review of Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara and Dustin Rhodes vs. Kip Sabian in TNT Title tournament matches, Orange Cassidy vs. Jimmy Havoc, Kenny Omega and Wardlow in action". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  22. ^ Barnett, Jake (April 15, 2020). "4/15 AEW Dynamite TV results: Barnett's live review of Jon Moxley vs. Jake Hager in a No Holds Barred empty arena match for the AEW Title, Colt Cabana vs. Lance Archer in a TNT Title tournament quarterfinal match, Chuck Taylor vs. Kip Sabian, Sammy Guevara vs. Sugar D". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  23. ^ Ashish (May 24, 2020). "Cody Rhodes Praises Lance Archer, Reveals Meaning Behind House on TNT Title Belt, Calls Mike Tyson Moment Surreal". 411mania.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  24. ^ Droste, Ryan (May 23, 2020). "First Look: AEW Unveils TNT Championship Belt". ComicBook.com. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  25. ^ Heel, N. (May 23, 2020). "BACKSTAGE NEWS ON AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP NOT BEING FINISHED". Heel By Nature. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  26. ^ Cody [@CodyRhodes] (July 28, 2020). "August 12th (saw a nice video of the plates, very elegant)" (Tweet). Retrieved July 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ All Elite Wrestling [@AEWrestling] (August 12, 2020). "#TNTChamp @CodyRhodes just a few hours away from his title defense against @ScorpioSky, and he gets a surprise from @RefTurnerAEW" (Tweet). Retrieved August 12, 2020 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ Casey, Connor (January 6, 2021). "AEW Debuts New Version of the TNT Championship". ComicBook. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  29. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (July 15, 2021). "Details On Miro's New AEW TNT Championship, How It Represents Bulgarian History". Fightful. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  30. ^ Rueter, Sean (September 30, 2021). "Sammy Guevara already got his own TNT title belt". Cageside Seats. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  31. ^ Edward, Ron (September 30, 2021). AEW TNT Bling belt 1577 stones. YouTube. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  32. ^ Barnett, Jake (August 22, 2020). "8/22 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of Cody vs. Brodie Lee for the TNT Championship, FTR vs. Private Party, Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks vs. Alex Reynolds, John Silver, and Alan "Five" Angels, Brandi Rhodes and Allie vs. Ivelisse and Diamante in the Deadly Draw tournament finals". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  33. ^ Powell, Jason (October 7, 2020). "10/7 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of 30 years of Chris Jericho celebration, Brodie Lee vs. Cody in a dog collar match for the TNT Championship, Brian Cage vs. Will Hobbs, Chris Jericho and Jake Hager vs. Luther and Serpentico, Serena Deeb vs. Big Swole". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  34. ^ Powell, Jason (November 7, 2020). "AEW Full Gear results: Powell's live review of Jon Moxley vs. Eddie Kingston in an I Quit match for the AEW Championship, FTR vs. The Young Bucks for the AEW Tag Titles, Cody vs. Darby Allin for the TNT Title, Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose for the AEW Women's Title, Kenny Omega vs. Hangman Page in the eliminator tournament finals". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  35. ^ Powell, Jason (May 12, 2021). "5/12 AEW Dynamite results: Powell's live review of Pac vs. Orange Cassidy for a shot at the AEW Championship, Darby Allin vs. Miro for the TNT Title, The Young Bucks vs. Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian for the AEW Tag Titles, Jon Moxley vs. Yuji Nagata for the IWGP U.S. Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  36. ^ Barnett, Jake (September 29, 2021). "9/29 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review Miro vs. Sammy Guevara for the TNT Championship, Jungle Boy vs. Adam Cole, Cody Rhodes and Lee Johnson vs. Dante Martin and Matt Sydal, Penelope Ford and The Bunny vs. Tay Conti and Anna Jay, sixteen-man tag match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  37. ^ "AEW Rampage spoilers for December 25th 2021 episode".

External links[]

Retrieved from ""