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Wikipedia

AEW TNT Championship

August 25, 2023

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 Luchasaurus, who is in his first reign. He won the title by defeating Wardlow on the debut episode of Collision on June 17, 2023.

AEW TNT Championship
The current TNT Championship belt
(2021–present)
Details
PromotionAll Elite Wrestling
Date establishedMarch 30, 2020
Current champion(s)Luchasaurus
Date wonJune 17, 2023
Statistics
First champion(s)Cody Rhodes[a]
Most reignsCody Rhodes, Sammy Guevara, and Wardlow
(3 reigns)
Longest reignDarby Allin
(1st reign, 186 days)
Shortest reignWardlow
(2nd reign, 3 days)
Oldest championSamoa Joe
(43 years, 321 days)
Youngest championDarby Allin
(27 years, 305 days)
Heaviest championSamoa Joe
(310 lb (140 kg))
Lightest championDarby Allin
(180 lb (82 kg))

History Edit

 
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 Edit

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 Edit

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 Edit

 
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 has a total of 1,577 rhinestones, which Edwardsen himself nicknamed the "TNT Bling" belt.[45]

Custom designs Edit

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.[46]

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".[47]

Reigns Edit

Main article: List of AEW TNT Champions

As of August 24, 2023, there have been 19 reigns between 10 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 Samoa Joe was the oldest, winning the title at 43.

Luchasaurus is the current champion in his first reign. He defeated Wardlow on the debut episode of Collision on June 17, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois.[48]

Notes Edit

  1. ^ During his inaugural reign and through the majority of his second reign, his ring name was just Cody.

References Edit

  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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b 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.
  14. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (January 7, 2022). "Cody Rhodes Off AEW Battle Of The Belts, Interim TNT Title Match Set For The Show". Fightful. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  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.
  23. ^ Young, Scott (March 10, 2022). "AEW DYNAMITE HITS & MISSES 3/9: Jericho with a convincing heel turn". PWTorch. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  24. ^ Scherer, Dave (April 25, 2023). "THE STUPID AND COWARDLY WAY THAT AEW SHOULD NOT HANDLE THE ELITE-PUNK SITUATION, THE MIZ, THE HOT POTATO TITLE AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  25. ^ Shoot Interviews (May 27, 2021). "Cody Rhodes AEW Double Or Nothing 2021 Pre-Show Media Call". Fightful. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  26. ^ AEW Staff (March 30, 2020). "AEW Announces Inaugural "TNT CHAMPIONSHIP" Tournament Beginning April 8 on AEW: DYNAMITE". All Elite Wrestling. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  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.
  32. ^ All Elite Wrestling [@AEWonTNT] (October 6, 2021). "Two years of #AEWDynamite and one more belt to add to @AEW: The TBS Championship" (Tweet). Retrieved October 6, 2021 – via Twitter.
  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. ^ a b 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.
  38. ^ Ashish (May 24, 2020). "Cody Rhodes Praises Lance Archer, Reveals Meaning Behind House on TNT Title Belt, Calls Mike Tyson Moment Surreal". 411Mania. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  39. ^ Droste, Ryan (May 23, 2020). "First Look: AEW Unveils TNT Championship Belt". ComicBook.com. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  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. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (July 15, 2021). "Details On Miro's New AEW TNT Championship, How It Represents Bulgarian History". Fightful. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  47. ^ 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.
  48. ^ Defelice, Robert (June 17, 2023). "Luchasaurus Captures AEW TNT Title On Debut Episode Of AEW Saturday Collision". Fightful. Retrieved June 18, 2023.

External links Edit

  • Official AEW TNT Championship Title History

August 25, 2023
championship, professional, wrestling, television, championship, created, promoted, american, promotion, elite, wrestling, established, march, 2020, named, after, television, network, which, currently, airs, weekly, programs, collision, rampage, well, promotio. 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 Luchasaurus who is in his first reign He won the title by defeating Wardlow on the debut episode of Collision on June 17 2023 AEW TNT ChampionshipThe current TNT Championship belt 2021 present DetailsPromotionAll Elite WrestlingDate establishedMarch 30 2020Current champion s LuchasaurusDate wonJune 17 2023StatisticsFirst champion s Cody Rhodes a Most reignsCody Rhodes Sammy Guevara and Wardlow 3 reigns Longest reignDarby Allin 1st reign 186 days Shortest reignWardlow 2nd reign 3 days Oldest championSamoa Joe 43 years 321 days Youngest championDarby Allin 27 years 305 days Heaviest championSamoa Joe 310 lb 140 kg Lightest championDarby Allin 180 lb 82 kg Contents 1 History 1 1 Name 1 2 Inaugural tournament 2 Belt designs 2 1 Custom designs 3 Reigns 4 Notes 5 References 6 External linksHistory Edit Inaugural and record setting three time champion Cody RhodesIn 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 Edit 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 Edit 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 QuarterfinalsDynamite April 8 15 22 2020 SemifinalsDynamite April 29 2020 FinalDouble or Nothing May 23 2020 CodyPinShawn Spears21 38 35 CodyPinDarby Allin20 10 5 Sammy Guevara10 50 36 Darby AllinPinCodyPinLance Archer22 00 6 Dustin RhodesPinKip Sabian14 10 36 Dustin Rhodes22 45 5 Lance ArcherPinColt Cabana12 42 37 Lance ArcherPinBelt designs Edit 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 has a total of 1 577 rhinestones which Edwardsen himself nicknamed the TNT Bling belt 45 Custom designs Edit 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 Dreven i Vechen Bulgarian Dreven i Vechen which means Ancient and Eternal Miro s custom belt was made by Belts By Dan 46 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 47 Reigns EditMain article List of AEW TNT Champions As of August 24 2023 there have been 19 reigns between 10 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 Samoa Joe was the oldest winning the title at 43 Luchasaurus is the current champion in his first reign He defeated Wardlow on the debut episode of Collision on June 17 2023 in Chicago Illinois 48 Notes Edit During his inaugural reign and through the majority of his second reign his ring name was just Cody References Edit Fowler Matt September 7 2019 AEW on TNT Cody Rhodes Wants Quality Over Quantity IGN First IGN Retrieved March 31 2020 Guzzo Gisberto February 11 2020 Cody Rhodes Says AEW Secondary Title Is Being Discussed Fightful Retrieved March 31 2020 Currier Joseph March 30 2020 AEW INTRODUCING TNT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT TO BEGIN ON APRIL 8 Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online Retrieved March 31 2020 a b 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 a b c 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 a b c 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 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 a b 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 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 Acero Tony January 6 2021 Join 411 s Live AEW Dynamite New Year s Smash Night One Coverage 411Mania Retrieved January 6 2021 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 Rose Bryan January 3 2022 TNT TITLE MATCH ADDED TO AEW BATTLE OF THE BELTS Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online Retrieved January 3 2022 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 Lambert Jeremy January 7 2022 Cody Rhodes Off AEW Battle Of The Belts Interim TNT Title Match Set For The Show Fightful Retrieved January 8 2022 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 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 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 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 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 Sachdev Tathya February 4 2023 Bully Ray On The TNT Championship Changing Hands Frequently eWrestlingNews Retrieved April 21 2023 Scherer Dave March 14 2023 THE SALE OF WWE THE HOT POTATO TITLE BOOKER OF THE YEAR AND MORE PWInsider Retrieved August 14 2023 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 Young Scott March 10 2022 AEW DYNAMITE HITS amp MISSES 3 9 Jericho with a convincing heel turn PWTorch Retrieved August 14 2023 Scherer Dave April 25 2023 THE STUPID AND COWARDLY WAY THAT AEW SHOULD NOT HANDLE THE ELITE PUNK SITUATION THE MIZ THE HOT POTATO TITLE AND MORE PWInsider Retrieved August 14 2023 Shoot Interviews May 27 2021 Cody Rhodes AEW Double Or Nothing 2021 Pre Show Media Call Fightful Retrieved June 1 2021 AEW Staff March 30 2020 AEW Announces Inaugural TNT CHAMPIONSHIP Tournament Beginning April 8 on AEW DYNAMITE All Elite Wrestling Retrieved March 31 2020 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 Otterson Joe September 23 2021 AEW Dynamite Sets January Date for TBS Move Rampage to Remain on TNT Variety Retrieved September 23 2021 Lambert Jeremy May 20 2021 Report AEW TNT Championship Won t Undergo Name Change Despite Move To TBS Fightful Retrieved May 24 2021 Chase Stephanie May 17 2023 AEW announces new weekly show Collision Digital Spy Retrieved May 20 2023 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 All Elite Wrestling AEWonTNT October 6 2021 Two years of AEWDynamite and one more belt to add to AEW The TBS Championship Tweet Retrieved October 6 2021 via Twitter Currier Joseph March 31 2020 AEW REVEALS FIRST HALF OF TNT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT BRACKET Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online Retrieved April 1 2020 Nason Josh April 1 2020 AEW REVEALS FULL BRACKET FOR TNT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online Retrieved April 2 2020 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 a b 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 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 Ashish May 24 2020 Cody Rhodes Praises Lance Archer Reveals Meaning Behind House on TNT Title Belt Calls Mike Tyson Moment Surreal 411Mania Retrieved May 24 2020 Droste Ryan May 23 2020 First Look AEW Unveils TNT Championship Belt ComicBook com Retrieved May 26 2020 Heel N May 23 2020 BACKSTAGE NEWS ON AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP NOT BEING FINISHED Heel By Nature Retrieved May 26 2020 Cody CodyRhodes July 28 2020 August 12th saw a nice video of the plates very elegant Tweet Retrieved July 29 2020 via Twitter 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 Casey Connor January 6 2021 AEW Debuts New Version of the TNT Championship ComicBook com Retrieved January 7 2021 Rueter Sean September 30 2021 Sammy Guevara already got his own TNT title belt Cageside Seats Retrieved September 30 2021 Edward Ron September 30 2021 AEW TNT Bling belt 1577 stones YouTube Retrieved October 9 2021 Lambert Jeremy July 15 2021 Details On Miro s New AEW TNT Championship How It Represents Bulgarian History Fightful Retrieved July 26 2021 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 Defelice Robert June 17 2023 Luchasaurus Captures AEW TNT Title On Debut Episode Of AEW Saturday Collision Fightful Retrieved June 18 2023 External links EditOfficial AEW TNT Championship Title History Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title AEW TNT Championship amp oldid 1171054404, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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