TNA Championship Belts: The Legacy of Impact Wrestling’s Titles
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), now known as Impact Wrestling, has been a major player in professional wrestling since its founding in 2002. Over the years, the promotion has introduced some of the most iconic championship belts, helping to establish its identity as a credible alternative to WWE. TNA’s championship titles have evolved, with unique designs, legendary champions, and historical significance shaping their legacy.
In this article, we’ll explore the history, significance, and evolution of TNA championship belts, from the early days of the NWA-TNA era to the modern Impact Wrestling titles.
The Evolution of TNA’s Championship Belts
1. The NWA-TNA Era (2002–2007)
When TNA was founded in 2002, it operated under the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) banner, using the historic NWA World Heavyweight Championship and the NWA World Tag Team Championship as its top titles. During this period, TNA’s champions were recognized as NWA champions, and wrestlers like AJ Styles, Jeff Jarrett, and Raven held the NWA World Heavyweight Title while competing under the TNA banner.
2. TNA Introduces Its Own Championship Belts (2007–2017)
In 2007, TNA parted ways with the NWA and introduced its own TNA-branded championship belts. The promotion unveiled:
- TNA World Heavyweight Championship (Replacing the NWA World Title)
- TNA World Tag Team Championship (Replacing the NWA Tag Titles)
- TNA X Division Championship (Carried over from the early days of TNA)
- TNA Knockouts Championship (First introduced in 2007 for the women's division)
3. The Impact Wrestling Era (2017–Present)
After rebranding to Impact Wrestling, the company redesigned its championships multiple times, eventually introducing the Impact World Championship, Knockouts Championship, and X Division Championship as the company's top titles. Despite these changes, many fans and wrestlers still refer to the belts as TNA Championship Titles, especially with the return of the TNA brand in 2024.
A Look at TNA's Most Iconic Championship Belts
1. TNA World Heavyweight Championship
The TNA World Heavyweight Championship was introduced in 2007 as TNA’s top prize for male wrestlers. Over the years, the belt has undergone multiple design changes, with some of the most memorable versions including:
- Original 2007 Design – A gold-plated belt with the TNA logo in the center, held by legends like Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, and AJ Styles.
- Immortal Championship (2010–2011) – A custom red belt introduced by Jeff Hardy during his heel run in the Immortal faction.
- 2017 GFW Unified Belt – When TNA rebranded as Impact Wrestling and briefly merged with Global Force Wrestling (GFW), the title was redesigned to feature both companies' logos.
- Current Impact/TNA World Championship – The modern design, introduced in 2021, blends elements of past belts while emphasizing Impact Wrestling’s branding.
2. TNA X Division Championship
One of TNA’s most unique and revolutionary titles, the X Division Championship, has been a staple since 2002. Unlike traditional mid-card titles, the X Division belt represented fast-paced, high-flying action, with the famous motto: "It’s not about weight limits, it’s about no limits." The belt has undergone several redesigns, but its prestige remains, with legendary champions like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, and Austin Aries making the title famous.
3. TNA Knockouts Championship
Introduced in 2007, the TNA Knockouts Championship became one of the most respected women’s titles in professional wrestling. Unlike WWE’s Divas Championship era, TNA focused on in-ring skill, with champions like Gail Kim, Awesome Kong, and Mickie James elevating the title’s prestige. Over the years, the belt has been redesigned multiple times, reflecting the evolution of women’s wrestling in Impact Wrestling.
4. TNA World Tag Team Championship
Tag team wrestling has always been a strong part of TNA, and the TNA World Tag Team Championship (introduced in 2007) has been held by legendary teams such as:
- Beer Money Inc. (James Storm & Bobby Roode)
- Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)
- Team 3D (Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley)
- LAX (Homicide & Hernandez, later Santana & Ortiz)
The belts have seen multiple redesigns, but the black and gold classic design from 2007 remains the most beloved by fans.
5. TNA Legends/Global/TV/King of the Mountain Championship
This mid-card title went through several rebrands, starting as the TNA Legends Championship (2008), then becoming the Global Championship (2009), the TV Championship (2010), and finally the King of the Mountain Championship (2015) before being retired. While it never had a long-lasting identity, it was held by major stars like Booker T, AJ Styles, and Eric Young.
6. TNA Digital Media Championship
Introduced in 2021, the Impact Digital Media Championship is one of the newest titles, designed to be defended across social media and digital platforms. While still establishing its legacy, it follows the tradition of TNA creating unique and innovative championships.
The Return of TNA in 2024 & Future of the Championship Belts
With TNA officially returning in 2024, the company has started bringing back classic branding and designs. Fans are speculating whether TNA will:
- Reintroduce classic title designs from the golden era of TNA (2005–2013).
- Unify the Impact and TNA legacy belts into a new championship lineage.
- Continue expanding their roster and featuring X Division and Knockouts matches on a bigger stage.
Conclusion: The Legacy of TNA Championship Belts
From the NWA-TNA days to the Impact Wrestling era, TNA’s championship belts have been an integral part of the company’s history. Whether it’s the prestigious TNA World Championship, the innovative X Division Title, or the historic Knockouts Championship, these belts have been held by some of the greatest wrestlers in the industry. With TNA making a major comeback, its championship belts will continue to evolve, creating new moments and new legends for years to come.