Introduction

The WWE Universal Championship was one of the most talked-about titles in professional wrestling, not just for its prestigious lineage but also for its unique and sometimes controversial design. Introduced in 2016, the Universal Championship belt went through several changes in appearance, reflecting brand identity, champion personas, and WWE’s evolving branding strategies.

In this blog, we’ll explore the design history of the WWE Universal Championship, from its debut to its retirement in 2024. Whether you're a wrestling fan, a collector, or just curious about WWE’s iconic belts, this breakdown will give you all the details—plus, stick around for a special offer on championship replicas in our store.

The Original Design: The Red Brand Era (2016–2019)

When the Universal Championship was first introduced in 2016, it was created as the top title for WWE’s Monday Night Raw brand. The design was based on the WWE Championship’s "Network Logo" belt, but with a key difference—the strap was bright red to match Raw’s branding 13.

  • Center Plate: Featured the WWE logo in silver with a black outline, surrounded by gold detailing.

  • Side Plates: Customizable with the champion’s logo (similar to the WWE Championship).

  • Initial Reception: Fans weren’t thrilled with the red strap, booing it when it was first unveiled 9.

Despite the mixed reactions, the belt became synonymous with Raw’s top stars like Finn Bálor, Kevin Owens, Brock Lesnar, and Seth Rollins.

The Blue Brand Shift: SmackDown’s Takeover (2019–2022)

In 2019, "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt won the Universal Championship at Crown Jewel, moving the title to SmackDown. To match the blue brand’s identity, WWE introduced a blue strap variation 13.

  • Color Change: The red strap was replaced with a deep blue one.

  • Logo Adjustment: The WWE logo’s underline switched from black to red for better visibility.

  • The Fiend’s Custom Belt: Wyatt later debuted a horror-themed version with a black-and-red strap, his face on the center plate, and eerie phrases like "Hurt" and "Heal" on the side plates 1.

This era saw dominant champions like Roman Reigns, who held the title for a record 1,316 days—the longest reign in Universal Championship history 7.

The Undisputed Era & Retirement (2022–2024)

At WrestleMania 38 (2022), Roman Reigns unified the Universal and WWE Championships, creating the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Though both titles remained separate in lineage, WWE introduced a single belt design in 2023 16.

  • New Unified Belt: A sleek, gold-and-black design combining elements of both titles.

  • Final Retirement: After Reigns lost at WrestleMania XL (2024), the Universal Championship was officially retired, with its history merged into the WWE Championship 3.

Why the Universal Championship’s Design Mattered

While the Universal Championship’s design wasn’t always loved, it played a key role in WWE’s brand identity:

  • Brand Recognition: The red and blue straps helped distinguish between Raw and SmackDown.

  • Customization: Like the WWE Championship, it allowed personalization with side plates.

  • Legacy: Despite initial criticism, it became a symbol of dominance, especially during Reigns’ historic reign.

Conclusion

The WWE Universal Championship’s design evolved from a bold red statement to a blue-brand staple before merging into the Undisputed Championship. Though retired, its legacy lives on in WWE history—and if you’re a fan looking to own a piece of that legacy, check out our authentic WWE championship replicas in the store.