In a recent survey conducted by Wrestling Republic, it was revealed that a staggering 81% of wrestling fans believe that the TNT Championship in AEW has lost its prestige.
The midcard title, introduced by AEW in 2020 during the early days of the pandemic, has faced criticism regarding its status and importance within the promotion.
From the inception of the TNT Championship, there has been debate among fans and wrestlers about its significance. While many viewed it as a midcard title, Cody Rhodes, the inaugural champion, vehemently claimed it was not a secondary title and should be regarded as equal to the AEW Championship.
Cody Rhodes’ first reign as the TNT Champion lasted 82 days before he lost the title to Brodie Lee, who held it for 55 days. Cody then reclaimed the championship in a 31-day reign, only to lose it to Darby Allin, who went on to have an impressive 186-day reign. Subsequently, Miro emerged as the champion and held the title for 140 days, until Sammy Guevara defeated him and held it for 84 days. Notably, the average reign length of the first six champions was 97 days.
How Has The TNT Championship Lost Its Prestige?
In recent times, the TNT Championship has seen a rapid turnover of titleholders, with shorter reigns becoming the norm. The most recent champion, Wardlow, lost the title after a mere 59 days during his third reign, following a second reign that lasted only three days. This continuous swapping of champions has led to a growing sentiment among wrestling fans that the title no longer carries the same importance it once did, with the past 14 champions averaging only 39 days.
To gauge fan sentiment, Wrestling Republic conducted a Instagram story survey, receiving nearly 300 votes. The results were resounding, with a striking 81% of participants expressing their belief that the TNT Championship has indeed lost its prestige.
Despite the prevailing dissatisfaction, AEW remains committed to elevating the TNT Championship’s status. The newest titleholder, Luchasaurus, recently claimed the belt on the debut episode of AEW Collision by defeating Wardlow. As the promotion moves forward, it will be interesting to see how AEW addresses the concerns raised by fans and strives to restore the championship’s former glory.
The TNT Championship, once regarded as a significant accolade within AEW, now faces the challenge of reestablishing its prestige in the eyes of both the fans and the wrestling community at large.
