AEW TNT Championship

The AEW TNT Championship is a men's 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 weekly programs, Collision and Rampage, as well as the promotion's Battle of the Belts quarterly television specials. The inaugural champion was Cody Rhodes. The current champion is Christian Cage, who is in his first reign. He won the title by defeating previous champion Luchasaurus and Darby Allin in a three-way match on the September 23, 2023, episode of Collision.

AEW TNT Championship
The current TNT Championship belt
(2021, 2023–present)
Details
PromotionAll Elite Wrestling
Date establishedMarch 30, 2020
Current champion(s)Christian Cage
Date wonSeptember 23, 2023
Statistics
First champion(s)Cody Rhodes[lower-alpha 1]
Most reignsCody Rhodes, Sammy Guevara, and Wardlow
(3 reigns)
Longest reignDarby Allin
(1st reign, 186 days)
Shortest reignWardlow
(2nd reign, 3 days)
Oldest championChristian Cage
(49 years, 297 days)
Youngest championDarby Allin
(27 years, 305 days)
Heaviest championSamoa Joe
(310 lb (140 kg))
Lightest championDarby Allin
(180 lb (82 kg))

History
Inaugural and record-setting three-time champion Cody Rhodes

In September 2019, a month before All Elite Wrestling (AEW) launched their first weekly television program, Dynamite, then-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 Brodie Lee Celebration of Life, which aired as 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. Lee unexpectedly died on December 26 and his 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]

During the special Holiday Bash episode of Rampage on December 25, 2021, Cody Rhodes defeated Sammy Guevara to become a record three-time TNT Champion.[11] The two were scheduled to have a rematch for the championship at Battle of the Belts I on January 8, 2022;[12] however, Cody was pulled from the event as he had been in contact with family who had tested positive for COVID-19, thus requiring him to quarantine.[13] Guevara instead faced Cody's brother Dustin Rhodes to determine an interim champion.[14] Guevara defeated Dustin[15] and served as the interim champion until the January 26 episode of Dynamite. That episode, which was a special episode titled Beach Break, Guevara faced and defeated Cody in a ladder match to determine the undisputed TNT Champion.[16]

On March 5, 2023, at Revolution, Wardlow defeated Samoa Joe to win the championship for a second time. Three days later, and initially not as part of a storyline, Wardlow's rental car was broken into; both his gear and the championship belt were stolen as a result.[17] This was turned into a storyline for his title defense against Powerhouse Hobbs on the March 8 episode of Dynamite, as the week prior, Hobbs had won the Face of the Revolution ladder match to earn a title shot against Wardlow. Q. T. Marshall and his QTV crew took credit for the crime with Wardlow requesting his title defense against Hobbs to be a Falls Count Anywhere match which Hobbs won by technical knockout thanks to an assist by Marshall.[18]

Although viewed as a secondary title to the AEW World Championship by fans and media of the professional wrestling industry, Tony Khan stated that he takes exception to calling it a secondary or mid-card title. He said that he does not book the championship as a mid-card title, saying that "I'm looking at it as a top championship that stars hold".[19] Despite this, Samoa Joe called himself the "King of Television" for his TNT Championship reigns when he simultaneously held it with the ROH World Television Championship.[20]

Between 2022 and 2023, the championship had several title changes with short reigns, with journalists subsequently calling it a "hot potato" championship.[21][22][23][24]

Name

The championship is named after the TNT television network, which originally aired AEW's then-two weekly programs, Dynamite and Rampage, the latter of which premiered in August 2021. TNT's parent company at the time, WarnerMedia, requested AEW to create the title and have it named as the TNT Championship.[25] 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."[26]

In January 2022, Dynamite moved to TNT's sister channel TBS, which was also owned by WarnerMedia (later becoming Warner Bros. Discovery), while Rampage remained on TNT.[27][28] In addition to Rampage remaining on the channel, AEW agreed to produce quarterly television specials on TNT (Battle of the Belts), with the championship defended on these specials.[29] Another weekly program on TNT called Collision also premiered in June 2023.[30] While it had been speculated that the title would be renamed to the TBS Championship, Cody Rhodes confirmed that it would not be renamed,[31] and instead, a separate AEW TBS Championship was established for the women's division.[32]

Inaugural tournament

The first half of the TNT Championship Tournament bracket was announced on the March 31, 2020 episode of Dark,[33] with the second half revealed on the following night's Dynamite.[34] 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[35]
Cody Pin
Darby Allin 20:10[5]
Sammy Guevara 10:50[36]
Darby Allin Pin
Cody Pin
Lance Archer 22:00[6]
Dustin Rhodes Pin
Kip Sabian 14:10[36]
Dustin Rhodes 22:45[5]
Lance Archer Pin
Colt Cabana 12:42[37]
Lance Archer Pin

Belt designs
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][38][39] 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.[40] 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.[41][42]

Following the unexpected death of Mr. Brodie Lee, the championship's second title holder, 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 one 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.[43]

After Sammy Guevara defeated Miro to win the title on the September 29, 2021, episode of Dynamite, Guevara was presented with an updated design of the standard championship belt to replace Miro's custom belt. This new 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.[44] The TNT Championship's original designer, Ron Edwardsen, also designed the updated belt, which had a total of 1,577 rhinestones, which Edwardsen himself nicknamed the "TNT Bling" belt.[45] While originally a custom belt for Guevara, subsequent champions would also hold this version until January 2023. That month after Allin defeated Samoa Joe to win his second TNT Championship, the title's design reverted to the mirror finish nickel plating behind the TNT logo.[46]

Custom designs

During night one of Fyter Fest on July 14, 2021, reigning champion Miro introduced his own custom version of the championship belt in the colors of the Bulgarian flag, as well as his persona change as "The Redeemer." The plates were on a white leather strap and 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 of his hometown of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The text below the arms said "Древен и Вечен" (Bulgarian: Dreven i Vechen), which means "Ancient and Eternal". Miro's custom belt was made by Belts By Dan.[47]

On the May 20, 2022, episode of Rampage, Sammy Guevara, Tay Conti, and Frankie Kazarian destroyed the standard belt that they stole from reigning champion Scorpio Sky. The following week on the May 27 episode, Dan Lambert and Ethan Page presented Sky with a custom version of the championship belt in the colors of Sky's hometown and favorite National Basketball Association team, the Los Angeles Lakers. The "Laker belt" had a gold strap, and the word "Champion" on a purple banner. Emblazoned on the end of the strap between the snap buttons was "8-24", referring to the numbers worn by late Lakers star Kobe Bryant. The title's original designer, Ron Edwardsen, also designed the "Laker belt".[48]

Reigns
Main article: List of AEW TNT Champions
Current champion Christian Cage

As of October 24, 2023, there have been 20 reigns between 11 champions. Cody Rhodes, then known simply as Cody, was the inaugural champion. He is also tied with Sammy Guevara and Wardlow for the most reigns at three. Darby Allin's first reign is the longest at 186 days and he also has the longest combined reign at 214 days, while Wardlow's second reign is the shortest at three days. Allin is also the youngest champion at the age of 27, while Christian Cage is the oldest, holding the title at 49.

Christian Cage is the current champion in his first reign. He defeated previous champion Luchasaurus and Darby Allin in a three-way match on the September 23, 2023, episode of Collision in Grand Rapids, Michigan.[49]

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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". 411Mania. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  11. McGuire, Colin (December 25, 2021). "12/25 AEW Rampage results: McGuire's live review of Sammy Guevara vs. Cody Rhodes for the TNT Championship, Hook vs. Bear Bronson, Leyla Hirsch vs. Kris Statlander, and Jungle Boy vs. Isiah Kassidy". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  12. Rose, Bryan (January 3, 2022). "TNT TITLE MATCH ADDED TO AEW BATTLE OF THE BELTS". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  13. Holder, James (January 8, 2022). "Cody Rhodes Says He And Brandi Are Isolating With Family Who Have COVID-19". Inside the Ropes. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
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  15. McGuire, Colin (January 8, 2022). "1/8 AEW Battle of the Belts results: McGuire's review of Britt Baker vs. Riho for the AEW Women's Championship, Dustin Rhodes vs. Sammy Guevara for the Interim TNT Championship, Ricky Starks vs. Matt Sydal for the FTW Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  16. Barnett, Jake (January 26, 2022). "1/26 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of the Beach Break themed episode with Cody Rhodes vs. Sammy Guevara in a ladder match for the TNT Title, Adam Cole vs. Orange Cassidy in a Lights Out match, Chris Jericho, Santana, and Ortiz vs. Daniel Garcia and 2point0, Red Velvet vs. Leyla Hirsch". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  17. Tessier, Colin (March 8, 2023). "Wardlow Reveals His Rental Car Was Broken Into, His Gear And TNT Title Were Stolen". Fightful. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  18. Knight, Cain A. (March 8, 2023). "Powerhouse Hobbs is the new TNT champion thanks to the reveal of QTV". Cageside Seats. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  19. Pritchard, Bill (September 2, 2021). "Tony Khan: The TNT Championship Is Not A 'Mid-Card' Title, I Will Never Book It Like That". Wrestle Zone. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  20. Sachdev, Tathya (February 4, 2023). "Bully Ray On The TNT Championship Changing Hands Frequently". eWrestlingNews. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  21. Scherer, Dave (March 14, 2023). "THE SALE OF WWE, THE HOT POTATO TITLE, BOOKER OF THE YEAR AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  22. Powell, Jason (March 9, 2023). "Powell's AEW Dynamite Hit List: Wardlow vs. Powerhouse Hobbs for the TNT Title, Orange Cassidy vs. Jay Lethal for the AEW All-Atlantic Title, Chris Jericho, Daniel Garcia, and Sammy Guevara vs. AR Fox and Top Flight, Ruby Soho vs. Skye Blue, Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli vs. John Silver and Alex Reynolds". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
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  27. 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.
  28. Otterson, Joe (September 23, 2021). "'AEW: Dynamite' Sets January Date for TBS Move, 'Rampage' to Remain on TNT". Variety. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  29. Lambert, Jeremy (May 20, 2021). "Report: AEW TNT Championship Won't Undergo Name Change Despite Move To TBS". Fightful. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  30. Chase, Stephanie (May 17, 2023). "AEW announces new weekly show Collision". Digital Spy. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  31. 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.
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  33. Currier, Joseph (March 31, 2020). "AEW REVEALS FIRST HALF OF TNT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT BRACKET". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  34. Nason, Josh (April 1, 2020). "AEW REVEALS FULL BRACKET FOR TNT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  35. 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.
  36. 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.
  37. 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.
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  40. Heel, N. (May 23, 2020). "BACKSTAGE NEWS ON AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP NOT BEING FINISHED". Heel By Nature. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  41. Cody [@CodyRhodes] (July 28, 2020). "August 12th (saw a nice video of the plates, very elegant)" (Tweet). Retrieved July 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
  42. 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.
  43. Casey, Connor (January 6, 2021). "AEW Debuts New Version of the TNT Championship". ComicBook.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  44. Rueter, Sean (September 30, 2021). "Sammy Guevara already got his own TNT title belt". Cageside Seats. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  45. Edward, Ron (September 30, 2021). AEW TNT Bling belt 1577 stones. YouTube. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  46. Washington, Will [@WillWashington] (January 6, 2023). "Darby has the old version of the TNT title back that he introduced at the start of 2021 after Brodie's passing. The main difference is the TNT logo having a mirror finish, rather than the diamond studding" (Tweet). Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Twitter.
  47. Lambert, Jeremy (July 15, 2021). "Details On Miro's New AEW TNT Championship, How It Represents Bulgarian History". Fightful. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  48. Faria, Colby (May 27, 2022). "AEW Rampage Results (5/27/22): Ruby Soho Faces Kris Statlander In Owen Hart Cup Semifinals + More!". Fightful. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  49. Keller, Wade (September 23, 2023). "AEW Collision results (9/23): Keller's report on Danielson vs. Starks in a Texas Death Match, Luchasaurus vs. Christian Cage vs. Darby Allin for TNT Title, White vs. Andrade, RVD & Hook vs. Parker & Mendard". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
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