WWE Universal Championship Belts: The Rise of a Modern Legacy
The WWE Universal Championship is one of the most prestigious titles in professional wrestling today. Introduced in 2016, it was created as a counterpart to the WWE Championship after the brand split, establishing a top-tier title for both Raw and SmackDown. Over the years, the Universal Championship has undergone multiple design changes and has been held by some of WWE’s biggest superstars.
The Birth of the WWE Universal Championship
In 2016, WWE reintroduced the brand split, separating Raw and SmackDown into two distinct brands with exclusive rosters. Since the WWE Championship became a SmackDown-exclusive title, Raw needed its own world championship. As a result, the WWE Universal Championship was unveiled by WWE Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and General Manager Mick Foley at SummerSlam 2016.
The name "Universal Championship" was chosen as a tribute to the WWE Universe—the fans.
The First-Ever Universal Champion
At SummerSlam 2016, a match was held to determine the inaugural Universal Champion. Finn Bálor defeated Seth Rollins, making history as the first-ever Universal Champion. Unfortunately, Bálor suffered a shoulder injury during the match and had to relinquish the title the next night on Raw.
Evolution of the Universal Championship Belt Design
The Original Red Belt (2016–2019)
When the Universal Championship was first introduced, it featured a bright red leather strap to represent Raw, with the WWE logo prominently displayed in the center. The design was similar to the WWE Championship, but the red color received mixed reactions from fans.
The Blue Universal Championship (2019–2022)
In 2019, after "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt won the title at Crown Jewel, the Universal Championship moved to SmackDown. To match SmackDown's color scheme, WWE introduced a blue leather strap, replacing the original red design. This version became one of the most recognizable championship belts in WWE.
The Undisputed Universal Championship (2022–Present)
In 2022, Roman Reigns unified the WWE Championship and Universal Championship after defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38. For over a year, he carried both belts until WWE introduced the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in June 2023. This new title featured a black leather strap with a gold WWE logo, symbolizing the unification of both world championships.
Notable Universal Champions and Their Reigns
Finn Bálor (2016) – The First Champion
Bálor’s reign lasted only one day due to injury, but his victory cemented him as a top star.
Kevin Owens (2016–2017) – The Prizefighter’s Dominance
After Bálor vacated the title, Kevin Owens won a Fatal 4-Way match (with help from Triple H) and held the championship for over 180 days. His reign included a memorable rivalry with Chris Jericho and Roman Reigns.
Brock Lesnar (2017–2018, 2018–2019) – The Beast’s Era
Lesnar held the Universal Championship for a record-breaking 503 days, making it the longest reign in the title’s history at the time. He later regained the title in 2018 and remained a dominant force.
Roman Reigns (2020–Present) – The Tribal Chief’s Historic Reign
Roman Reigns won the Universal Championship at Payback 2020 and transformed into "The Tribal Chief." His reign became the longest in modern WWE history, surpassing 1,000 days. Reigns unified the Universal and WWE Championships at WrestleMania 38, creating the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Significance of the Universal Championship
The Universal Championship has quickly established itself as one of the most prestigious titles in WWE. It has been held by top-tier superstars and has headlined major pay-per-view events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble.
Conclusion
The WWE Universal Championship has evolved from a secondary world title to one of the most dominant prizes in wrestling. With legendary champions like Brock Lesnar, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns, the title continues to shape WWE’s future. Whether as a red, blue, or undisputed gold belt, the Universal Championship remains a symbol of greatness in WWE
