Fiend Championship Belts: The Legacy of Bray Wyatt’s Dark Persona
Bray Wyatt, one of WWE’s most creative and mysterious superstars, introduced The Fiend in 2019, a terrifying alter ego that changed the landscape of WWE. As The Fiend gained popularity, WWE released a special custom championship belt to represent his sinister persona. This article explores The Fiend’s championship belts, including the unique Fiend Custom Universal Championship, his title reigns, and their significance in wrestling history.
The Fiend’s Universal Championship Reign
Bray Wyatt’s alter ego, The Fiend, made his in-ring debut at SummerSlam 2019, quickly establishing dominance. Soon after, he set his sights on the WWE Universal Championship, which led to one of the most unique title reigns in WWE history.
First Universal Championship Reign
Date Won: October 31, 2019 (WWE Crown Jewel)
Opponent Defeated: Seth Rollins (Falls Count Anywhere Match)
Reign Duration: 118 days
Key Defenses: Against Daniel Bryan and The Miz
After an intense rivalry with Seth Rollins, The Fiend captured the WWE Universal Championship at Crown Jewel 2019 in Saudi Arabia. This victory marked a turning point in Wyatt’s career, as he embraced the supernatural persona of The Fiend. His reign saw battles against top stars like Daniel Bryan and The Miz, further solidifying his dominance.
However, The Fiend lost the championship at Super ShowDown 2020 to Goldberg, in a controversial match that many fans believe weakened his character.
Second Universal Championship Reign
Date Won: August 23, 2020 (SummerSlam)
Opponent Defeated: Braun Strowman
Reign Duration: 7 days
Key Defenses: None (Lost to Roman Reigns at Payback 2020)
The Fiend regained the Universal Championship at SummerSlam 2020 by defeating Braun Strowman. However, this reign was short-lived as Roman Reigns returned at Payback 2020, capturing the title and beginning his historic championship run.
The Fiend Custom Universal Championship
One of the most unique aspects of The Fiend’s title run was his custom Universal Championship belt, released in late 2019. Unlike traditional title designs, this belt was a fully customized piece of horror-inspired artwork, reflecting The Fiend’s disturbing personality.
Design and Features
- Face of The Fiend: Instead of a traditional championship plate, the belt featured a terrifying replica of The Fiend’s face, sculpted in high detail.
- Leather Strap: The strap was made of cracked, dark leather, giving it a worn-out, eerie look.
- "Hurt" and "Heal" Messaging: Inspired by The Fiend’s gloves, the belt emphasized his psychological themes.
- Limited Edition Release: WWE produced a limited number of these belts, making them rare collectibles.
Price and Collectibility
The Fiend Custom Championship was sold through WWE Shop at a premium price of $6,499.99, reflecting its limited-edition nature. Each belt was handcrafted by Tom Savini’s studio, the legendary special effects artist known for horror films. Due to its high price and unique design, the belt became a coveted item among collectors.
Why The Fiend’s Championship Belt Was Special
- First Fully Custom WWE Championship – While WWE has released special-edition belts before, The Fiend’s championship was a complete departure from traditional designs.
- Horror Influence in Wrestling – The belt’s design, combined with The Fiend’s character, blurred the line between wrestling and horror storytelling.
- Limited Availability – With only a few produced, this belt became one of WWE’s rarest collectibles.
- Symbol of The Fiend’s Legacy – Despite The Fiend’s short championship reigns, this belt remains an iconic piece of WWE history.
Conclusion
The Fiend Championship Belt is one of WWE’s most unique title designs, representing the dark and creative genius of Bray Wyatt. Although The Fiend’s in-ring run was cut short, his championship reigns and custom belt remain legendary among fans. Whether as a Universal Champion or a collector’s item, The Fiend’s legacy lives on through this haunting title.