Secondary championships in WWE explained

The American professional wrestling promotion WWE has maintained several secondary championships since Capitol Wrestling Corporation seceded from the National Wrestling Alliance in 1963 to become the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), which was later subjected to various name changes, including World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)—in April 2011, the company ceased using its full name and has since just been referred to as WWE. The company's first men's secondary championship was the NWA United States Television Championship, which was established in 1957 as a version of the NWA Television Championship, while the first and only women's secondary title, the NXT Women's North American Championship, was established in 2024. Whenever the WWE brand extension has been implemented (2002–2011; 2016–present), separate secondary championships have been created or allocated for each brand.

As of 2024, WWE promotes three men's and one women's secondary championships. The men's secondary championships include the WWE Intercontinental Championship and the WWE United States Championship on the main roster brands, Raw and SmackDown, respectively, and the NXT North American Championship for WWE's developmental brand, NXT. The NXT Women's North American Championship is the only secondary championship for women in WWE, and like its male counterpart, is also under the NXT brand.

Overview of titles

Male

No.NameYears
1NWA United States Television Championship1957 – 1962
2WWWF United States Heavyweight Championship1960 – 1976
3WWF North American Heavyweight Championship1979 – 1981
4WWE Intercontinental Championship1979 – 2002,
2003 – present
5WWE United States Championship1975 – 2001,
2003 – present
6WWF Canadian Championship1985 – 1986
7Million Dollar Championship1989 – 2021,
1995–1996,
2010,
2021
8WWE European Championship1997 – 2002
9WWF Light Heavyweight Championship1981–1997,
1997 – 2002
10WWE Speed Championship2024 – present

Male's Developmental

No.NameYears
1NXT North American Championship2018 – present
2NXT UK Heritage Cup2020 – 2023

Open

No.NameYears
1WWE Hardcore Championship1998 – 2002
2WWE 24/7 Championship2019 – 2022

Summary of championships

Male

NWA United States Television Championship (1957–1962)

See main article: NWA United States Television Championship. The NWA United States Television Championship was a singles title used in the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, the precursor to today's WWE. The title served as CWC's secondary singles championship, opposed to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship of the National Wrestling Alliance, which was considered the CWC's premier title. The first champion was Johnny Valentine, who may have won the title during a tournament in 1957, or by defeating Verne Gagne in 1958. Valentine was also the final champion as the title was retired on July 25, 1962, during his fifth reign.

WWWF United States Heavyweight Championship (1960–1976)

See main article: WWWF United States Heavyweight Championship. The WWWF United States Heavyweight Championship was a singles title used sporadically in the World Wide Wrestling Federation between 1960 and 1976. During the variable periods in which it was used, the title served as the promotion's secondary singles championship to the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship. This title has no connection to the current WWE United States Championship, the lineage of which dates back to the NWA/WCW United States Heavyweight Championship originally created in 1975 in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling. The inaugural champion was Buddy Rogers and the final champion was Bobo Brazil.

WWF North American Heavyweight Championship (1979-1981)

See main article: WWF North American Heavyweight Championship. The WWF North American Heavyweight Championship was a relatively short-lived title in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) from 1979 until 1981.[1] It was established as the WWWF North American Heavyweight Championship on February 13, 1979, before the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) was renamed to WWF the following month. The title replaced the WWWF United States Heavyweight Championship as the promotion's secondary championship. The inaugural champion was Ted DiBiase and the final champion was Seiji Sakaguchi.[2]

WWE Intercontinental Championship (1979–2002, 2003–present)

See main article: WWE Intercontinental Championship. The WWE Intercontinental Championship is a secondary championship established by WWE and is currently the secondary championship of the Raw brand. The championship was established as the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship by the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF) on September 1, 1979, as a result of the WWF North American Heavyweight Championship being unified with an apocryphal South American Heavyweight Championship,[3] with Pat Patterson as the inaugural champion.

In 2002, after the first brand split had begun and the WWF was renamed WWE, the title was renamed to the WWE Intercontinental Championship, and Raw general manager Eric Bischoff began unifying his brand's singles championships. On September 30, 2002, Bischoff scheduled a match to unify the Intercontinental Championship with the recently created Raw-exclusive World Heavyweight Championship. The unification match took place at No Mercy the following month and saw then-World Heavyweight Champion Triple H defeat then-Intercontinental Champion Kane, making him the Raw brand's sole male singles champion.[4] Over Bischoff's objections, Raw co-general manager Stone Cold Steve Austin reactivated the Intercontinental Championship on the May 5, 2003 episode of Raw and declared any former champion on the Raw roster eligible to enter a battle royal at Judgment Day for the title. Christian won the battle royal to win the championship and restore a secondary singles title for Raw wrestlers to compete for. The first brand extension ended on August 29, 2011, allowing the Intercontinental Championship, as well as all other titles, to be defended on both Raw and SmackDown.

In July 2016, WWE reintroduced the brand split. During the 2016 draft, then-Intercontinental Champion The Miz was drafted to SmackDown, thus making the title exclusive to SmackDown. During the following year's Superstar Shake-up, Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose was moved to the Raw brand, making the title exclusive to Raw. Two years later during the 2019 WWE Superstar Shake-up, Intercontinental Champion Finn Bálor moved to SmackDown, making the title exclusive back to SmackDown. Four years later during the 2023 draft, Intercontinental Champion Gunther moved to Raw, making the title exclusive back to Raw.

WWE United States Championship (2001, 2003–present)

See main article: WWE United States Championship. The WWE United States Championship is currently the secondary championship of the SmackDown brand. The championship was established on January 1, 1975, as the version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship that was defended in Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) and later assumed by JCP successor World Championship Wrestling (WCW), which eventually seceded from the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Harley Race was the inaugural champion. After WCW was purchased by the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 2001, the then-WCW United States Championship was defended in the WWF until it was unified with the Intercontinental Championship at that year's Survivor Series.

In July 2003, a year after the first brand extension went into effect in what is now World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the title was reactivated as the WWE United States Championship by then-SmackDown General Manager Stephanie McMahon. It was commissioned to be a secondary championship for the SmackDown brand, making the championship the only one from WCW to be reactivated as a WWE title (although the WCW Cruiserweight Championship had also become a WWE title, it was not deactivated and reactivated; it replaced the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship during the Invasion storyline). Eddie Guerrero became the first champion after its reactivation by winning a tournament at that year's Vengeance, defeating Chris Benoit in the final match. This was done shortly after the Intercontinental Championship was recommissioned by the Raw brand, making the title its equal counterpart. The first brand extension ended on August 29, 2011, allowing the United States Championship, as well as all other titles, to be defended on both Raw and SmackDown.

In July 2016, WWE reintroduced the brand extension; during the 2016 WWE draft, United States Champion Rusev was drafted to the Raw brand,[5] thus making the title exclusive to Raw.[6] On April 11, 2017, United States Champion Kevin Owens, along with the title, moved to SmackDown as a result of that year's Superstar Shake-up. Owens was already scheduled to defend the title against Chris Jericho at the Raw-exclusive pay-per-view Payback on April 30. Then-SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan declared that regardless of who won at Payback, the United States Championship would remain on SmackDown; Jericho defeated Owens for the title at Payback and he transferred to SmackDown.[7] During the 2018 Superstar Shake-up, the title briefly returned to Raw when champion Jinder Mahal was drafted to the brand. However, it was immediately returned to SmackDown after Jeff Hardy defeated Mahal for the title and was drafted to SmackDown the next night.[8] [9] The championship definitively returned to Raw in 2019 when champion Samoa Joe was drafted to the brand during that year's Superstar Shake-up.[10] Four years later during the 2023 draft, United States Champion Austin Theory moved to SmackDown, making the title exclusive to SmackDown again.

WWF Canadian Championship (1985–1986)

See main article: WWF Canadian Championship. In August 1985, the World Wrestling Federation took over the Montreal-based International Wrestling (Lutte Internationale) promotion. Upon joining the WWF roster, IW mainstay Dino Bravo was the inaugural WWF Canadian Champion in some Canadian cities until January 1986, when the title was abandoned.[11]

WWE Million Dollar Championship (1989–1992; 1995–1996; 2010; 2021)

See main article: WWE Million Dollar Championship. The title was originally introduced in 1989 by "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, who was unable to win or purchase the WWF Championship (now WWE Championship). In storyline, the title was an unsanctioned championship that DiBiase rarely defended. After DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster won the WWF Tag Team Championship in 1992, the Million Dollar Championship was abandoned.[12] On December 18, 1995 the title was once more reinstated as The Ringmaster/Stone Cold Steve Austin reintroduced it on Raw, but on May 28, 1996.[13] The title was once more introduced on the on WWE Raw and was Ted DiBiase Jr. but the title was later on abandoned.[14] [15] [16] The title was once more introduced on the WWE NXT roster but once more was retired as Cameron Grimes was the final holder.[17] [18]

WWE European Championship (1997–2002)

See main article: WWE European Championship. In 1997, the British Bulldog was crowned the first WWF European Champion by winning a tournament that was held over several shows in Germany, culminating in a finals victory over Owen Hart. On July 22, 2002 the title was deactivated.[19]

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship (1981–1997; 1997–2002)

See main article: WWF Light Heavyweight Championship. On March 26, 1981 Perro Aguayo became the inaugural champion by defeating Fisherman. On December 7, 1997 the title was recognized by WWE and the reinstated champion was Taka Michinoku for the vacant title. On March 8, 2002 the title was retired as X-Pac was the final holder.[20]

NXT North American Championship (2018–present)

See main article: NXT North American Championship. The NXT North American Championship is the secondary championship established for WWE's developmental brand, NXT. The title was established in April 2018 and the inaugural champion was Adam Cole.[21] [22] [23] [24] In September 2019, the title became one of WWE's three main secondary titles when NXT became WWE's third major brand,[25] [26] however, it reverted to a developmental brand in September 2021.[27] In January 2022, the NXT Cruiserweight Championship was unified into the North American Championship. At the special New Year's Evil episode of NXT on January 4, 2022, reigning North American Champion Carmelo Hayes defeated Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong. The Cruiserweight Championship was retired with Hayes going forward as North American Champion.[28] [29] [30] [31] Whenever the title is held by a main roster wrestler, it occasionally gets defended on main roster shows, such as when SmackDown wrestler Solo Sikoa defended it on SmackDown in September 2022.[32] Raw wrestler "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio has also defended it on Raw during his first reign in 2023.[33] [34] [35]

NXT UK Heritage Cup (2020–2023)

See main article: NXT Heritage Cup.

The NXT UK Heritage Cup was the secondary championship established for WWE's developmental brand, NXT UK in September 2020, and the inaugural champion was A-Kid. The title is defended just like any other championship but has a special stipulation in which all matches are contested under British Rounds Rules. However, after the closing of the brand in late 2022, instead of being unified or retired like the other NXT UK-branded championships, it transferred to the NXT brand in April 2023, and was then simply renamed to the NXT Heritage Cup, removing association with the retired NXT UK brand. The championship was then recognized as NXT's specialty championship, no longer being recognized as secondary.

WWE Speed Championship (2024–present)

See main article: WWE Speed Championship.

On February 9, 2024, the American professional wrestling promotion WWE announced a partnership with X to introduce WWE Speed, a weekly video series to stream exclusively on the social media platform where wrestlers would perform in matches with a five-minute time limit.[36] The following month on March 27, WWE commentator Corey Graves announced that Speed would premiere on April 3, 2024, but regular matches would instead be three minutes in length. An eight-man tournament was also announced to crown the inaugural WWE Speed Champion that would take place over the first few episodes of the program. It was also revealed that male wrestlers from all three of WWE's brand divisionsRaw, SmackDown, and the developmental brand NXT—were eligible to challenge for the title.[37]

On May 3, 2024 Ricochet defeated Johnny Gargano to become the inaugural champion in the inaugural Speed Championship tournament final, which was taped on April 26, 2024, and aired on tape delay.[38] [39]

Female

NXT Women's North American Championship (2024–present)

See main article: NXT Women's North American Championship. During Stand & Deliver on April 6, 2024, the WrestleMania week event for WWE's developmental brand NXT, the NXT Women's North American Championship was announced by the brand's General Manager Ava. This will be the equivalent to the men's NXT North American Championship, marking the first-ever secondary women's championship in WWE.[40] [41] At Week 2 of Spring Breakin', Ava announced that the inaugural champion will be crowned at Battleground in a six-woman ladder match.[42] [43] The inaugural champion was Kelani Jordan.[44]

WWE Speed Women's Championship (2024–present)

See main article: WWE Speed Women's Championship. On May 1, 2024, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque confirmed that the program would also eventually feature women's matches; this led to an official announcement on August 9, 2024, where he announced that the tournament for the championship will begin on September 4, 2024.[45] [46]

Open

WWE Hardcore Championship (1998–2002)

See main article: WWE Hardcore Championship. The WWE Hardcore Championship was established on November 2, 1998, with Mankind as the inaugural champion. The title is based off the 24/7 rule and was one of the most defining titles of the Attitude Era.[47] The Championship was retired on August 26, 2002 with Rob Van Dam unifying the title with the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Tommy Dreamer and defeating him becoming the final holder.

WWE 24/7 Championship (2019–2022)

See main article: WWE 24/7 Championship. The title was unveiled by Mick Foley on the May 20, 2019, episode of Monday Night Raw, where Titus O'Neil from Raw became the inaugural champion.[48] The title also goes by the 24/7 rule similar to the WWE Hardcore Championship. The final champion was Nikki Cross, also from Raw. She had won the title on the November 7, 2022, episode of Raw and then afterwards backstage, discarded the championship as trash. WWE subsequently retired the title on November 9.

Champions

Current champions

The following list shows the wrestlers that are currently holding all active secondary championships in WWE.

ChampionshipChampionReign Date wonDays held[49] LocationNotes
Men
WWE Intercontinental ChampionshipBron Breakker1August 3, 2024+Cleveland, Ohio
WWE United States ChampionshipLA Knight1August 3, 2024+Cleveland, Ohio
WWE Speed ChampionshipAndrade El Idolo1June 7, 2024+Louisville, KY
Men's Developmental
NXT North American ChampionshipOba Femi1January 9, 2024+Orlando, FL
Women
WWE Speed Women's ChampionshipTBDTBDTBDTBDTBD
Women's Developmental
NXT Women's North American ChampionshipKelani Jordan1June 9, 2024+Enterprise, NV

Retired championships

The following list shows retired secondary championships and the final title holders before the belts were deactivated or abandoned by WWE.

ChampionshipFinal championReignDate retiredDays heldNotes
NWA United States Television ChampionshipJohnny Valentine5July 25, 1962N/A
WWWF United States Heavyweight ChampionshipBobo Brazil7March 1, 19761,837
WWF North American Heavyweight ChampionshipSeiji Sakaguchi1April 23, 1981532
WWF Canadian ChampionshipDino Bravo1January 22, 1986157
WWE Million Dollar ChampionshipCameron Grimes1August 23, 20212
WWF Light Heavyweight ChampionshipX-Pac2March 8, 2002201
WWE European ChampionshipRob Van Dam1July 22, 2002<1
WWE Hardcore ChampionshipRob Van Dam4August 26, 2002<1
WWE 24/7 ChampionshipNikki Cross11November 7, 2022<1

Inaugural championship holders

The following list shows the inaugural holders for each secondary championship created and/or promoted by WWE.

ChampionshipHolder(s)DateNotes
Men
NWA United States Television ChampionshipJohnny Valentine1957 / 1958
WWWF United States Heavyweight ChampionshipBuddy RogersApril 20, 1960
WWF North American Heavyweight ChampionshipTed DiBiaseFebruary 13, 1979
WWE Intercontinental ChampionshipPat PattersonSeptember 1, 1979
WWE United States ChampionshipHarley RaceJanuary 1, 1975
WWF Canadian ChampionshipDino BravoAugust 18, 1985
WWE Million Dollar ChampionshipTed DiBiaseFebruary 15, 1989
WWF European ChampionshipThe British BulldogFebruary 26, 1997
WWF Light Heavyweight ChampionshipPerro Aguayo (UWA)
Taka Michinoku (WWF)
March 26, 1981 (UWA)
December 7, 1997 (WWF)
WWE Hardcore ChampionshipMankindNovember 2, 1998
NXT North American ChampionshipAdam ColeApril 7, 2018
WWE 24/7 ChampionshipTitus O'NeilMay 20, 2019
NXT UK Heritage CupA-KidNovember 26, 2020
WWE Speed ChampionshipRicochetApril 26, 2024
Women
NXT Women's North American ChampionshipKelani JordanJune 9, 2024
WWE Speed Women's ChampionshipTBDTBD

Superlative reigns

Ten longest

The following list shows the ten longest secondary championship reigns in WWE history.

No.ChampionTitleReignLength
(days)
Notes
1Bobo BrazilWWWF United States Heavyweight Championship71,837
2Bobo BrazilWWWF United States Heavyweight Championship31,335
3Bobo BrazilWWWF United States Heavyweight Championship6687
4GuntherWWE Intercontinental Championship1666
5Seiji SakaguchiWWF North American Heavyweight Championship1532
6Lex LugerWWE United States Championship3523
7Johnny ValentineNWA United States Television Championship2458
8The Honky Tonk ManWWE Intercontinental Championship1454
9Buddy RogersWWWF United States Heavyweight Championship1436
10The SheikWWWF United States Heavyweight Championship1429

Longest per championship

The following list shows the longest reigning champion for each secondary championship created and/or promoted by WWE.

No.ChampionTitleReignDates heldLength
(days)
Notes
1Bobo BrazilWWWF United States Heavyweight Championship7February 19, 1971 – March 1, 19761,837
2Ted DiBiaseWWE Million Dollar Championship1February 15, 1989 – August 26, 1991922
3Villano III (UWA)
Gillberg (WWF)
UWA / WWF Light Heavyweight Championship1May 20, 1984 – August 24, 1986 (UWA)
November 17, 1998 – February 8, 2000 (WWF)
826 (UWA)
448 (WWF)
4GuntherWWE Intercontinental Championship1June 10, 2022 – April 6, 2024
5Seiji SakaguchiWWF North American Heavyweight Championship1November 8, 1979 – April 23, 1981532
6Lex LugerWWE United States Championship3May 22, 1989 – October 27, 1990523
7Johnny ValentineNWA United States Television Championship2April 7, 1959 – July 8, 1960458
8Noam DarNXT UK Heritage Cup2July 7, 2022 – June 13, 2023341
9Wes LeeNXT North American Championship1October 22, 2022 – July 18, 2023269
10The British BulldogWWE European Championship1February 26, 1997 – September 20, 1997206
11Dino BravoWWF Canadian Championship1August 18, 1985 – January 22, 1986157
12ReggieWWE 24/7 Championship1July 19, 2021 – November 8, 2021112
12Big Boss ManWWE Hardcore Championship4October 12, 1990 – January 17, 202097
13Andrade El IdoloWWE Speed Championship1June 7, 2024 – present+
14Kelani JordanNXT Women's North American Championship1June 9, 2024 – present+

Most per championship

The following list shows the wrestlers with the most reigns for each secondary championship created and/or promoted by WWE.

No.ChampionTitleNo. of reignsNotes
1R-TruthWWE 24/7 Championship54
2RavenWWE Hardcore Championship26
3Chris JerichoWWE Intercontinental Championship9
4Bobo BrazilWWWF United States Heavyweight Championship7
Perro AguayoUWA / WWF Light Heavyweight Championship
Villano III
5Ric FlairWWE United States Championship6
6Johnny ValentineNWA United States Television Championship5
7William RegalWWE European Championship4
D'Lo Brown
Dean MalenkoUWA / WWF Light Heavyweight Championship
X-Pac
8Johnny GarganoNXT North American Championship3
Noam DarNXT UK Heritage Cup
9Ted DiBiaseWWE Million Dollar Championship2
10Kelani JordanNXT Women's North American Championship1
Pat PattersonWWF North American Heavyweight Championship
Seiji Sakaguchi
Ted DiBiase
Dino BravoWWF Canadian Championship

Most total reigns

The following list shows the wrestlers who have the most secondary championship reigns in total, combining all titles they have held as recognized by WWE. This list also shows the titles that they won to achieve this record (minimum five secondary championship reigns).

No.ChampionTitlesNo. of ReignsNotes
1R-Truth 58
2Raven 27
3Crash Holly 22
4Stevie Richards 21
5Bradshaw 17
6Shawn Stasiak 15
Akira Tozawa
Dana Brooke
7Chris Jericho 13
8Tommy Dreamer 14
9Rob Van Dam 11
Nikki A.S.H. / Nikki Cross
10The Miz 10
Goldust
Jeff Jarrett
11Chris Benoit 9
Tamina
12Bobo Brazil 8
Bubba Ray Dudley
Justin Credible
Dolph Ziggler
Drake Maverick
13Bret Hart 7
Spike Dudley
Kofi Kingston
Ric Flair
Jeff Hardy
Mojo Rawley
Drew Gulak
15Edge 6
Hardcore Holly
Al Snow
Steve Blackman
Johnny Valentine
Razor Ramon
16Bobby Lashley 5
Booker T
Dustin Rhodes
Lex Luger
John Cena
Kevin Owens
Rey Mysterio
Ricky Steamboat
Triple H
Wade Barrett
Wahoo McDaniel
Samir Singh

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: WWE Encyclopedia. Shields. Brian. Sullivan. Kevin. 227. Dorling Kindersley. 2009. 978-0-7566-4190-0.
  2. Ted DiBiase: The Million Dollar Man, p.108, Ted DiBiase with Tom Caiazzo, Pocket Books, New York, NY, 2008, .
  3. Web site: Brookhouse. Brent. December 2, 2020. WWE legend Pat Patterson, first intercontinental champion and creative force, dead at 79. February 2, 2022. CBSSports.
  4. Web site: No Mercy 2002 results. December 7, 2007. WWE.
  5. Web site: 2016 WWE Draft results: WWE officially ushers in New Era. WWE.com Staff. WWE. July 19, 2016. July 19, 2016.
  6. Web site: Caldwell. James. 7/24 WWE Battleground Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Report. Pro Wrestling Torch. July 24, 2016. July 24, 2016.
  7. Web site: Keller. April 11, 2017. Wade. Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 4/11: Superstar Shake-up Night 2 details. Pro Wrestling Torch. April 11, 2017.
  8. Web site: Powell. Jason. WWE Raw Live TV Review: The Superstar Shakeup Night One, Sasha Banks vs. Bayley, Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt vs. The Revival for a shot at the vacant Raw Tag Titles. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. April 16, 2018. April 16, 2018.
  9. Web site: Keller. Wade. Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 4/17: Superstar Shake-up concludes, tracking which Raw wrestlers will be added to Smackdown roster. Pro Wrestling Torch. April 17, 2018. April 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20230217015102/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/04/17/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-4-17-superstar-shake-up-concludes-tracking-which-raw-wrestlers-will-be-added-to-smackdown-roster/. February 17, 2023. live.
  10. Web site: 4/22 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of the first episode following the WWE Superstar Shakeup. April 22, 2019. Powell. Jason. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. April 23, 2019.
  11. Book: Royal Duncan & Gary Will . Wrestling Title Histories . Archeus Communications . 2006. 4th . 0-9698161-5-4 .
  12. Web site: Ted DiBiase. April 28, 2012. Online World of Wrestling.
  13. Web site: WWE In Your House: Beware of Dog Results: Part 2. Online World of Wrestling. 2010-11-13.
  14. Web site: WWE Superstars: Ted DiBiase. World Wrestling Entertainment. 2010-04-14.
  15. Web site: Raw: Cena's not on the A-List . https://archive.today/20120714110312/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/04/05/13477066.html. usurped. July 14, 2012. Plummer. Dale. 2010-04-05. Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. 2010-04-14.
  16. Web site: Keller's WWE Raw report 11/15: Special three-hour old school Raw with great angle at end, Jim Ross returns, Piper steps up, more. 2010-11-15. Keller. Wade. 2010-11-16. Pro Wrestling Torch.
  17. Web site: Moore. John. NXT Takeover 36 results: Moore's live review of Karrion Kross vs. Samoa Joe for the NXT Championship, Raquel Gonzalez vs. Dakota Kai for the NXT Women's Title, Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly in a best of three falls match, Walter vs. Ilja Dragunov for the NXT UK Championship. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. August 22, 2021. August 22, 2021.
  18. Web site: Superstars. 2021-09-26. WWE. en.
  19. http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/ WWE.com: "History of the Intercontinental Championship"
  20. Web site: Light Heavyweight Championship History. WWE.com. 2007-07-16.
  21. Web site: SPOILER: NEW WWE CHAMPIONSHIP CONFIRMED, HOW FIRST CHAMPION WILL BE CROWNED. Johnson. Mike. March 7, 2018. PWInsider. March 7, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180308103848/https://www.pwinsider.com/article/115958/spoiler-new-wwe-championship-confirmed-how-first-champion-will-be-crowned.html?p=1. March 8, 2018.
  22. Web site: NXT introducing new title belt during WrestleMania weekend (non match result TV taping spoiler). March 7, 2018. Powell. Jason. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. March 7, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180308070351/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/03/07/nxt-introducing-new-title-belt-wrestlemania-weekend-non-match-result-tv-taping-spoiler/. March 8, 2018.
  23. Web site: Breaking news: NXT to debut a new championship (CAUTION: SPOILER) . March 7, 2018. WWE. March 7, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180308103527/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/nxt-to-debut-new-title. March 8, 2018.
  24. Web site: Moore. John. 4/7 Moore's NXT Takeover: New Orleans live review – Andrade Almas vs. Aleister Black for the NXT Title, Ember Moon vs. Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's Championship, Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa in an unsanctioned match, ladder match for the new North American Championship. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 7 April 2018 . April 7, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180408073530/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/04/07/4-7-moores-nxt-takeover-new-orleans-live-review-andrade-almas-vs-aleister-black-for-the-nxt-title-ember-moon-vs-shayna-baszler-for-the-nxt-womens-championship-johnny-gargano-vs-tommaso-cia/. April 8, 2018.
  25. Web site: Triple H Discusses NXT as a Third Brand, Putting Talent in a Position to Succeed, More. May 10, 2016. Csonka. Larry. 411Mania.
  26. NXT moving to cable TV on Sept. 18. Rollins. Khadrice. Sports Illustrated. August 19, 2019. September 8, 2019.
  27. Currier. Joseph. Preview and Predictions for 'NXT WarGames'. Sports Illustrated. December 3, 2021. December 11, 2021. en-us.
  28. Web site: Title Unification Match Added to Nxt New Year's Evil. December 21, 2021. Currier. Joseph. Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. December 28, 2021.
  29. Web site: NXT Cruiserweight Championship Set To Be Retired. December 29, 2021. Holder. James. Inside the Ropes. December 30, 2021.
  30. Web site: Moore. John. 1/4 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Tommaso Ciampa vs. Bron Breakker for the NXT Title, Walter, Fabian Aichner, and Marcel Barthel vs. Riddle and MSK, Mandy Rose vs. Raquel Gonzalez vs. Cora Jade for the NXT Women's Title, Carmelo Hayes vs. Roderick Strong in a title unification match, AJ Styles confronts Grayson Waller. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. January 4, 2022. January 4, 2022.
  31. Web site: WWE Unifies Nxt North American and Cruiserweight Titles. January 4, 2022. Currier. Joseph. Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. January 5, 2022.
  32. Web site: SmackDown results, Sept. 16, 2022: Brawling Brutes win the right the challenge The Usos in chaotic Fatal 4-Way Match. September 16, 2022. WWE. September 16, 2022.
  33. Web site: Barnett. Jake. July 21, 2023. WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (7/21): Barnett's review of Roman Reigns and Jey Uso set the rules of engagement, LA Knight vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Sheamus vs. Cameron Grimes in a U.S. Title Invitational four-way . July 22, 2023. Pro Wrestling Dot Net.
  34. Web site: Bhat . Varun Anand . July 22, 2023. Did Dominik Mysterio accidentally create history following SmackDown appearance? What you might have missed! . July 22, 2023. Sportskeeda.
  35. Web site: Keller. Wade. WWE Raw Results (7/24): Keller's report on Seth-Balor contract signing, Logan Paul-Ricochet face-to-face, Stark vs. Lynch, Drew-Gunther face-to-face. July 24, 2023. Pro Wrestling Torch. July 24, 2023.
  36. Web site: WWE Speed To Air On X (Twitter) Beginning In Spring 2024. February 8, 2024. Defelice. Robert. Fightful. March 28, 2024.
  37. Web site: WWE Speed premiere date revealed, tournament will crown champion. March 27, 2024. Rose. Bryan. Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. March 28, 2024.
  38. Web site: Spoiler: First-Ever WWE Speed Champion Crowned. April 26, 2024. Lambert. Jeremy. Fightful. April 27, 2024.
  39. Web site: Ricochet Becomes First-Ever WWE Speed Champion, Special Friday Episode Airs. May 3, 2024. Lee. Joseph. 411Mania. May 3, 2024.
  40. Web site: WWE introducing Women's NXT North American Championship. Joseph. Currier. April 6, 2024. Wrestling Observer. April 6, 2024.
  41. Web site: Moore. John. NXT Stand & Deliver results: Moore's live review of Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes, Ilja Dragunov vs. Tony D'Angelo for the NXT Title, Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's Title. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. April 6, 2024. April 6, 2024.
  42. Web site: Moore . John . April 30, 2024 . NXT TV results (4/30): Moore's review of Spring Breakin' Night Two with Oba Femi vs. Ivar for the NXT North American Title, Axiom and Nathan Frazer vs. AOP for the NXT Tag Team Titles . May 1, 2024 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net .
  43. Web site: Powell . Jason . May 28, 2024 . NXT TV results (5/28): Moore's review of Trick Williams and Je'Von Evans vs. Mark Coffey and Wolfgang, Michin vs. Tatum Paxley and Kelani Jordan vs. Wren Sinclair in NXT Women's NA Title ladder match qualifiers . May 29, 2024 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net .
  44. Web site: Tessier . Colin . June 9, 2024 . Inaugural NXT Women's North American Crowned At WWE NXT Battleground . June 10, 2024 . Wrestlezone .
  45. Web site: Lambert . Jeremy . Triple H Says Women Will Eventually Compete In WWE Speed Matches . Fightful . August 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240501190732/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/triple-h-says-women-will-eventually-compete-wwe-speed-matches . May 1, 2024 . May 1, 2024.
  46. Web site: Rose . Bryan . WWE Speed Women’s Championship tournament to begin next month . . August 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240810145704/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-speed-womens-championship-tournament-to-begin-next-month/ . August 10, 2024 . August 9, 2024.
  47. Web site: Ring Rust Radio's Attitude Era Draft Results and Fantasy Cards . .
  48. Web site: Three 24/7 Champions crowned during title's first night. Wortman. James. WWE. May 20, 2019. May 21, 2019.
  49. As of, .