"World heavyweight championship belt" can mean five different belts, depending on the company and the decade. This guide shows what each one looks like, when it was used, and which replica we make of it. Every belt listed is a replica made to order by Zees Belts. None of them is official or licensed.
The world heavyweight belts at a glance
| Belt | Company and years | Zees Belts replica | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winged Eagle | WWF World Heavyweight Championship, 1988 to 1998 | Brass, zinc | from $169.99 |
| Big Eagle (Attitude Era) | WWF Championship, 1998 to 2002 | 24K gold plated | $289.99 |
| Smoking Skull | Stone Cold Steve Austin's WWF Championship, 1998 | Brass, 24K gold plated | from $169.99 |
| Big Gold | NWA and WCW World Heavyweight, then WWE World Heavyweight Championship 2002 to 2013 | Brass, 24K dual plated, NWA 24K | from $249.99 |
| WCW World Heavyweight | WCW, 1991 to 2001 | Brass | $169.99 |
| ECW World Heavyweight | ECW, 1992 to 2001, and WWE's ECW brand, 2006 to 2010 | Brass, zinc, 24K gold plated | from $169.99 |
| AWA World Heavyweight | AWA, 1960 to 1991 | Zinc | $279.99 |
| WWE World Heavyweight (2010s) | WWE, the design AJ Styles carried | Brass | $209.99 |
WWF World Heavyweight: the Winged Eagle
The Winged Eagle was the WWF's world title from 1988 to 1998. It is the belt of Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, the Ultimate Warrior, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, and it is still the belt many fans picture when they hear "WWF champion". Search interest backs that up: "wwf world heavyweight championship belt" is searched about 720 times a month in the US. Our zinc Winged Eagle replica is $279.99, and the brass version starts at $169.99.
WWF Championship in the Attitude Era: Big Eagle and Smoking Skull
In 1998 the WWF replaced the Winged Eagle with the larger Big Eagle design, which stayed until 2002. The same year, Stone Cold Steve Austin got his own version of the title, the Smoking Skull belt, with a skull and rattlesnake design. Both are popular with Attitude Era fans: our Big Eagle replica is $289.99 in 24K gold plating, and the Smoking Skull replica starts at $169.99 in brass.
Big Gold: NWA, WCW and WWE World Heavyweight
Big Gold was made for Ric Flair in 1986 as the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. It became the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, and in 2002 WWE brought it back as its World Heavyweight Championship, used until the titles were unified in 2013. No other belt has represented a world heavyweight title in three companies. Our brass Big Gold is $249.99 and the 24K dual plated version is $289.99.
ECW World Heavyweight
The ECW World Heavyweight Championship was the top title of ECW from 1992 to 2001, and WWE used it again for its ECW brand from 2006 to 2010. "ecw world heavyweight championship belt" gets about 590 searches a month. We make it in brass from $169.99, zinc alloy at $279.99 and 24K gold plated at $289.99.
AWA and the WWE World Heavyweight of the 2010s
The AWA World Heavyweight Championship ran from 1960 to 1991 and was held by Verne Gagne, Nick Bockwinkel and Curt Hennig. Our AWA replica is $279.99. For the modern era, our WWE World Heavyweight replica is based on the design AJ Styles carried, at $209.99 in brass.
Replica or real: what you are buying
The belts used on TV are not for sale. What fans buy are replicas: some licensed by WWE and sold on its own store, others made by independent belt makers like Zees Belts. Our belts are not official or licensed. They are full-size replicas with real cowhide leather straps, about 50 to 52 inches long, and metal plates in brass, zinc alloy, 24K gold plating or CNC machined builds. Full-size belts weigh about 5 to 14 lb depending on plate thickness.
Want a world heavyweight title with your own name or logo instead? See our custom title belts.
World heavyweight championship belt: common questions
Which belt is the WWF World Heavyweight Championship?
From 1988 to 1998 it was the Winged Eagle. In 1998 the WWF changed to the Big Eagle design, and Stone Cold Steve Austin also used his own Smoking Skull version that year.
Was Big Gold the WWE World Heavyweight Championship?
Yes. Big Gold started as the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1986, became the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, and was WWE's World Heavyweight Championship from 2002 to 2013.
How much does a world heavyweight championship belt replica cost?
Zees Belts replicas start at $169.99 in brass. Zinc alloy versions are about $279.99 and 24K gold plated versions about $289.99, with free shipping to the USA and Canada.
Are these official WWE belts?
No. Zees Belts makes replicas. They are not official or licensed merchandise.
How long does delivery take?
Brass belts take 3 to 5 business days to make, zinc and 24K gold plated belts about 5, then 4 to 5 business days to reach the USA or Canada.