Three-time WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes has disclosed his favorite championship belt. While “The American Nightmare” has long expressed admiration for classic wrestling title designs, his personal choice may surprise some fans.
Rhodes has previously lauded the iconic Winged Eagle WWF Championship, even reintroducing the design briefly in 2024 during his rivalry with Kevin Owens. The title holds additional historical weight for Rhodes; his father, Dusty Rhodes, held a similar championship in 1977, though he never captured that specific iteration.
Why the WWE Championship Stands Above the Rest for Rhodes
During an appearance on the “Double Coverage” podcast, Rhodes evaluated several legendary championship designs. He highlighted the Big Gold Belt and its deep ties to wrestling history, stating, “Big Gold gets such an extra chapter when the nWo happens. Because I think people had kind of not — Big Gold doesn’t make it all the way to, it’s in everyone’s hearts now.”
Addressing fan suggestions that he pursue the Big Gold Belt, Rhodes noted, “People tell me all the time, ‘Oh, you should try and win the title and do Big Gold, because it’s the one you never had.’ And I don’t think they realize the NWA [Worlds Heavyweight] Title is technically Big Gold. That lineage is NWA, 10 Pounds [Of Gold] becomes Big Gold.”
He continued, “But the nWo gave Big Gold another chapter. Because when they put nWo on there and the disrespect—history being disrespected—that’s one that’s up there, hard to beat. The Winged Eagle in all its forms, hard to beat. Intercontinental Title, that’s another one. The NWA TV Title, the red and silver. Yeah, there’s some hitters.”
Despite his appreciation for numerous legendary designs, Rhodes identified his personal favorite. He explained that the championship he captured holds unique significance, remarking, “So to me, my number one—and everyone’s going to go, ‘Ah!’ And they’ll think it’s such a corporate answer: it’s the one I won. It’s the WWE Championship.”
He added, “Also, in 10 years, complain all you want; in 10 years when these kids are talking about, ‘That’s my favorite title,’ it’s because it’s the one that they had; it’s the one they grew up with. You see these merch reports at the end of the night—people love the old-school little Velcro belts and it’s always the WWE Title. Always the Big Dub.”
Acknowledging criticism of the belt’s corporate branding, Rhodes said, “And I get it—people say, ‘Oh, it’s a walking billboard.’ Yeah, but it’s also connected to people. It’s connected to John Cena; it’s connected to Roman Reigns. It’s connected to me. And I love that. I think time will tell that it’s a winner.”
Championship Perceptions Evolve Over Time, Rhodes Argues
To illustrate his point, Rhodes cited John Cena’s Spinner WWE Championship—a design heavily criticized during its original run. “The Spinner is a great example. The Spinner at the time—I don’t know if you remember—was heavily panned and criticized. And today, when I did this big title presentation, I remember people saying, ‘Oh, thank gosh he has the Spinner. They should do it for the Spinner.’ Where were you guys? Time will be it.”
Also Read
- Bears Secure Narrow Victory Over Buccaneers Following Last-Second Field Goal Amid Turnover Struggles
- Vancouver Canucks Look to Snap Home Slide Against Flyers with Renewed Purpose
- Friedel Group Takes Over Shrewsbury Town, Ushering New Era of Ambition
- Jaguars Acquire Falcons Safety Jessie Bates Ahead of NFL Deadline
