World Tag Team Championship Belts: The Legacy of WWE’s Iconic Tag Titles
The World Tag Team Championship is one of the most prestigious and historic titles in WWE history. First introduced in 1971, these championship belts were the premier tag team titles in WWE for nearly four decades. Over the years, they were held by some of the most legendary teams in wrestling history, including The Hardy Boyz, The Dudley Boyz, Edge & Christian, The Hart Foundation, and D-Generation X.
History of the WWE World Tag Team Championship
The World Tag Team Championship was first established on June 3, 1971, when Luke Graham and Tarzan Tyler became the first recognized champions. Before this, WWE (then known as the WWWF) used the United States Tag Team Championship, which was retired in 1967. The creation of the World Tag Team Titles solidified the importance of tag team wrestling in WWE and led to decades of competitive and memorable matches.
For decades, the World Tag Team Championship was the top prize for WWE’s tag teams. However, with the introduction of the WWE Tag Team Championship in 2002, the company had two sets of tag titles, which eventually led to the unification of both championships in 2010.
Unification and Retirement
In 2009, WWE began a process to unify the World Tag Team Championship with the newer WWE Tag Team Championship. At WrestleMania 25, The Colóns (Carlito & Primo) defeated The Miz & John Morrison to unify both championships. By 2010, WWE fully retired the World Tag Team Championship, officially recognizing only the WWE Tag Team Championship as the top prize in the tag team division.
In 2016, WWE introduced new Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Championships, replacing the previous WWE Tag Team Titles.
Most Legendary World Tag Team Champions
The Dudley Boyz (8-time champions)
The Dudley Boyz were one of the most dominant teams in WWE history. Known for their table-breaking, hardcore style, they became one of the most decorated tag teams, winning the World Tag Team Championship eight times. Their legendary feuds with Edge & Christian and The Hardy Boyz defined tag team wrestling in the Attitude Era.
Edge & Christian (7-time champions)
Edge & Christian brought charisma, humor, and innovation to WWE’s tag team division. They were a key part of the TLC (Tables, Ladders & Chairs) match revolution, delivering unforgettable performances in matches against The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz.
The Hardy Boyz (6-time champions)
The Hardy Boyz took high-flying wrestling to new heights in WWE. Their extreme style, daredevil stunts, and iconic Swanton Bombs made them fan favorites and multiple-time World Tag Team Champions.
The Hart Foundation (2-time champions)
Comprising Bret "The Hitman" Hart and Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, The Hart Foundation was one of the most technically sound tag teams in wrestling history. Their mix of power (Neidhart) and technical wrestling (Bret Hart) made them a dominant team in the 1980s and early 1990s.
The New Age Outlaws (5-time champions)
Part of D-Generation X, The New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg & Billy Gunn) were one of the most popular teams during the Attitude Era. Their mic skills and in-ring chemistry made them one of the greatest duos in WWE history.
Demolition (3-time champions, longest reign)
Demolition (Ax & Smash) was WWE’s answer to The Road Warriors. They held the World Tag Team Championship for a record 478 days, the longest reign in the title’s history. Their unique look and hard-hitting style made them one of the most feared teams of the 1980s.
World Tag Team Championship Belt Design
The World Tag Team Championship belts went through several design changes over the years.
- 1971-1985 Design: Simple silver plates with a classic wrestling design.
- 1985-2002 Design: A gold-plated design with the WWE logo and "World Tag Team Champions" engraved. This became the most recognized version.
- 2002-2010 Design: A slightly modernized version of the classic 1985 design, with a more polished look.
After 2010, the championship was officially retired in favor of the WWE Tag Team Championship belts.
Impact of the World Tag Team Championship on WWE’s Tag Team Division
- The World Tag Team Championship was the top tag team title in WWE for nearly 40 years.
- It helped establish legendary teams like The Hart Foundation, The Dudley Boyz, The Hardy Boyz, and Edge & Christian.
- It played a key role in some of WWE’s most iconic tag team matches, including TLC matches, steel cage matches, and WrestleMania classics.
- The championship’s legacy continues through WWE’s current tag team titles, which were influenced by the legendary teams that once held the World Tag Team Championship belts.
Conclusion
The World Tag Team Championship belts remain one of the most historic and prestigious tag team titles in WWE history. Though they were officially retired in 2010, their legacy lives on through the incredible matches, unforgettable teams, and championship moments that shaped WWE’s tag team division. Many of today’s top tag teams in WWE, AEW, and other promotions were inspired by the legendary teams that once held the World Tag Team Championship.