2011 Pro Wrestling Thread

So, is Ziggler officially a former World Heavyweight Champion?

 

Tito Santana, Greg Valentine, Curt Henig and Razor Ramon just collectively let out a cry of anguish.

 

I remember when back in the old days of WCCW, the U.S. champion was technically considered the No. 1 contender for the world title. Didn't always work out that way, but it helped elevate the belt. You knew the guy was getting a shot at the big strap at some point.

I think the IC and U.S. belts have been hurt by the elimination of a third title under them. Back in the days, you progressed up from the TV/European belt, to the IC/U.S., then to the world title. Now, you don't have that bottom-tier belt to make the IC belt look better.

Of course, the then-WWF didn't have the Euro belt back in the day, either, and they still managed to give the IC belt value. But I still think the three-belt system helped things in the '90s.

 

The problem is the lack of any meaningful feuds that don't involve the straps.

Think about it. When was the last time you can remember a good mid-card feud that wasn't about some championship title or position at all?

And I know part of that is the way wrestling fans have gotten smarter--I.E. It's almost impossible to randomly jump start a feud via a promo or vignette because they're a lot harder to write now--but still. I miss the days when something like the recent Sheamus-Morrison feud would go two-three months and tell a good story. Now a days, if it doesn't involve a title, it's almost like it's irrelevant.

 

Through the first 12 IC champs totaling 18 reigns from 1979-90, only two ended up going on to the WWE title (Savage and Warrior), plus Morales, who had already won the big belt.

In the mid-to late 80s, the WWF would hold at least two, and frequently three shows at a time. Hogan would main event one show (which all the wrestlers wanted to be on for the money), the IC champ would main event a second show and the tag champs would do a third show. They'd combine for big cards such as MSG.

The next six years, four IC champs did go on to win the big belt (Bret, HBK, Nash and HHH). After that, the belt changed hands so often, it's hard to keep track.

I think you mean WCW, not WCCW. World Class, when they were with the NWA, also had an American champion (who was their top belt) and a Texas champion. They ended up making the American champ the world champ when they left the NWA.

I do agree though, that having a third belt was helpful. In WCW, you had the TV title, which actually gave some meaning to watching their shows, rather than the WWF's squash jobs. I didn't care for the European belt so much, though. I prefered the Hardcore title.

 

According to WWE.com, his reign is recognized, I believe. (At least, that's what I read on another board.)

 

From Spirit Squad to (now former) holder of Goldie. Not bad.

 

You're right. I was thinking WCW.

I really wish they'd do a TV title for each show. Put it on someone you're building up, make them defend it each week. Some of the matches would be worthless, but some could be great. Someone could prove themselves as TV champ, then move up to the U.S. or Intercontinental belt. I remember some great matches between Sting, Arn Anderson and the Great Muta back in the day.

And I liked the Hardcore title, too, but it wouldn't fit in with the PG WWE. I kinda lost interest in it for when the 24-hour rule made it a total joke.

 

He is listed as a champion online, at least for now.

http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/

 

From 1995 on: Stone Cold, The Rock, Edge, Jericho, Angle, Benoit, Eddie, Jeff Hardy, Kane, RVD, Booker T, Orton and Punk all won the IC title before winning either Goldy or the WWE title. JBL and Rey also had IC runs, but both came after they won Goldy or WWE.

 

Here's a pretty good Mistico highlight tape (which means we'll never see any of this, so enjoy it while you can):

 

Holy crap, that video is awesome.