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Post by endo on Aug 17, 2012 17:09:08 GMT -5
Figured I'd start this off with probably the most recognized belt in wrestling, "The Big Gold" belt, that Ric Flair debuted in 1986.  Notice the misspelled name plate the reads Rick Flair, rather than Ric Flair. And, I think it was Flair himself that coined the name "The Big Gold" for the belt, though the original was actually silver, with gold plating added to give it a dual plated effect. The original BG was made by Charles Crumrine who had a company that did rodeo buckles in Reno Nevada. Pic of the original BG with the fixed spelling on the name plate.  Numerous figures are out there as to what the original cost to be made by Jim Crockett Promotions, but most say around $15,000. But, as with the Domed Globe belt that preceded it, there was a $25,000 deposit on the belt by whoever held it at that time. If a champion was to lose, he would get his deposit back when the switch went as planned, or when the belt was returned to JCP. When Ted Turner bought them out and JCP officially became WCW, they brought in Jim Herd to run things. To make a long story short, he and Flair did not get along and Flair was leaving for the WWF. Herd wanted the belt, and Flair wanted his deposit back with interest which came to about $38,000, to which Jim Herd responded, "You know what, screw it. Keep the belt." So, Flair did and brought it onto WWF TV calling himself "The Real World Champion". WCW was eventually able to reach a settlement with Flair for the belt, but the Real World Champion angle was going so well, they wanted to keep going. So Flair was made what is called "The Vegas Big Gold".   Some differences between the Vegas belt and the original can be seen in the pics, notably the lack of the crown and wrestlers on the main plate. This is when they started pixelating the belt on TV when Flair brought it to the ring. The original went back to WCW and eventually became their main belt again, then it was casted by Dave Millican, and rumor has it Scott Steiner stole the original and still has it today. Many wrestlers have cast copies of the belt, including DDP, and Hulk Hogan who swears he has the original. After the WWF/E bought WCW out, the belt went there, and was used in it's current form until they got an updated version with the WWE logo on on it made by Joe Marshall, or J-Mar, and later by Dave Millican who currently makes the belts for the WWE. |
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Post by NDX on Aug 17, 2012 21:18:21 GMT -5
Definitely in a top 5 for belts. A great design, I love the look of it.
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Post by endo on Aug 19, 2012 12:28:50 GMT -5
Oh, when Flair debuted it, I was floored. I remember thinking this is what a championship belt should be. It was also one of the few belts that had no organizations letters on it. No NWA or WCW. Just world heavyweight wrestling champion.
Of course when the E began using it full time as their title belt, Vince had to have the WWE logo put on it.
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Post by NDX on Aug 19, 2012 12:34:26 GMT -5
Still, Vince kept most of it intact, and paid a lot of respect to that belt for a long time. He didn't have to, considering he obliterated everything else WCW, so seeing that belt still around is a good piece of nostalgia and respect. Still consider it the better title overall because of it's lineage compared to the WWE title (although that has a hell of a history as well).
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Post by endo on Aug 19, 2012 12:40:25 GMT -5
I think Vince keeping this belt says a lot about how great a design it is. It boggles my mind that he would keep something this classy as a title belt and then bring in the spinner.
That's quite possibly the worst belt I've ever seen. Rumor has it a new one to replace it is on the way, but pics were leaked of it, so he may have scrapped that particular one and is having one made no one has seen yet.
Oh, one more thing about the Big Gold. The original was dropped during an interview with Heenan and Flair. Hennan dropped the belt and it landed on the top of the main plate, bending it.
So, that's an easy way when re-watching WCW matches to tell if the belt involved is the actual original belt or a copy.
I'll see if I can find the video of Heenan dropping it.
Here's a video of Heenan introducing Flair, and you can see the bent part of the main plate.
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Post by gorepolice on Aug 26, 2012 8:13:26 GMT -5
That "Vegas Big Gold" is a pretty nice looking belt.
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Post by endo on Aug 26, 2012 10:16:51 GMT -5
That "Vegas Big Gold" is a pretty nice looking belt. Very nice looking belt. I think this is the one Flair gave to Triple H. And it actually is a better choice to use in the the wrestling world than the original Big Gold, since the Big Gold is made of silver and is much softer than an etched belt made from zinc and then gold plated. Supposedly there's a pic somewhere of Paul Wight bending the Big Gold with his hand and laughing about it. Of course, no one has seen the original in years, as it was replaced with a zinc, cast copy made by Dave Millican. And now, WWE has their own copies with their logo, a few made by Millican and a few by J-Mar. |
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Post by gorepolice on Aug 26, 2012 20:22:24 GMT -5
Can they replace the WWE title with the Vegas Big Gold? That would be great.
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Post by endo on Aug 26, 2012 20:28:46 GMT -5
Sure, Dave Millican made the original Vegas belt, and there are no promotion ties to it, but it would end up looking like this  |
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Post by gorepolice on Aug 26, 2012 20:29:56 GMT -5
I'll still take that over the bling bling belt we have now.
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Post by endo on Aug 27, 2012 12:30:35 GMT -5
I'll still take that over the bling bling belt we have now. I would too Tomas. The Spinner proves, at least to me, that the powers that be could care less what their champion carries to the ring as long as they're making money on it. The belt that was meant to accentuate Cena's thug style has turned into a money making machine for the WWE. Many wrestlers have said they hate the belt, including CM Punk. Be interesting to hear what Cena himself thinks of it. |
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Post by NDX on Aug 27, 2012 16:44:17 GMT -5
Give me the Winged Eagle any day. That was the pinnacle of belts in the 'E, and nothing will ever top that. Followed by the 1990s IC title, white strap of course.
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Post by endo on Aug 27, 2012 19:42:48 GMT -5
The Winged Eagle was a beauty. As much as I associated Flair with the Domed Globe and the Big Gold, he looked freaking great with the WE when he got it.
That was one of my favorite times watching the WWF, when Flair first came in.
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Post by NDX on Aug 27, 2012 20:17:30 GMT -5
I look back on that time with fond memories. Watching it now, that 1992 Rumble he won is one of the all time bests. 2004 might be the only one to trump that, but that's because I wanted He Who Shall Not Be Named win that Rumble and headline WM20.
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Post by gorepolice on Aug 27, 2012 21:15:24 GMT -5
I can imagine many wrestlers hate that belt. Carrying that hideous thing must make the person feel like they're just keeping it warm for Cena. Nobody else looks good with that thing. When Austin lost, they got rid of that stupid Smoking Skull belt, so they should do the same with that ugly thing.
The Eagle belt is so classic. Definitely one of the most amazing belts ever. The Undisputed title was a beauty as well. Wish they'd bring that one back, or at least make one in that style.
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