AEW TNT Championship

The AEW TNT Championship is a professional wrestling television championship created and promoted by the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Named after the TNT television network, which airs AEW's flagship program, Dynamite, it was established on March 30, 2020. Cody Rhodes, then known simply as Cody, was the inaugural champion. The current champion is Darby Allin, who is in his first reign and is the longest reigning champion.

AEW TNT Championship
The current TNT Championship belt
(2021–present)
Details
PromotionAll Elite Wrestling
Date establishedMarch 30, 2020
Current champion(s)Darby Allin
Date wonNovember 7, 2020

History
Inaugural and record two-time champion, Cody Rhodes

In September 2019, a month before All Elite Wrestling (AEW) launched their weekly television program, AEW Executive Vice President and wrestler Cody teased that the promotion would eventually debut a television championship, but their focus at that time was on their other recently established titles.[1] In February 2020, wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer directly asked Cody on the possibility of the promotion adding a secondary championship. Although he did not confirm or deny it, Cody did not rule out the possibility of a secondary or "mid-card" title debuting that year.[2] The following month on March 30 on AEW's YouTube series Road to Dynamite, a secondary championship was officially announced. AEW play-by-play commentator and senior producer Tony Schiavone revealed that there would be an eight-man, single-elimination tournament to crown the first-ever AEW TNT Champion.[3] The tournament began on the April 8 episode of Dynamite with the final scheduled for Double or Nothing on May 23.[4] On the April 29 episode, Cody and Lance Archer won their respective semifinals matches, setting up the inaugural championship match.[5] At Double or Nothing, Cody defeated Archer to become the inaugural champion. Former professional boxer Mike Tyson presented the championship to Cody.[6] His first reign with the title included an 'open challenge' where he would defend the title on a near weekly televised basis, even to independent wrestlers outside the promotion. These performances notably led to the signings of Ricky Starks and Eddie Kingston. In November during Cody's second reign as TNT Champion, his ring name was lengthened to Cody Rhodes following a legal battle with WWE over the trademark for the name.[7]

The championship is named after the TNT television network, which airs AEW's flagship program, Dynamite. In the press release about the TNT Championship, AEW President and CEO Tony Khan stated "it's only fitting that the champion and the title belt will carry the logo of the globally-respected TNT brand, and that they'll represent not only AEW but also the great quality programming, massive reach, and storied history in the wrestling business that are all associated with TNT."[8]

During the Jon Huber Memorial Show, which was the December 30, 2020 episode of Dynamite, AEW announced that they had retired the red strap version of the title belt that had been used up to that point to honor Huber, whose ring name was Mr. Brodie Lee, the second TNT Champion, who unexpectedly passed away on December 26; Lee's final match was on the October 7 episode of Dynamite where he unsuccessfully defended the TNT Championship against Cody Rhodes in a Dog Collar match. The retired TNT Championship belt was given to Huber's son, Brodie Lee Jr. (real name Brodie Huber), who was honored as being "TNT Champion for life" by AEW President and CEO Tony Khan. AEW commentator Tony Schiavone clarified that only the belt design was retired, not the championship itself;[9][10] a new black strap version of the belt was debuted by champion Darby Allin during Night 1 of the special New Year's Smash episode of Dynamite on January 6, 2021.[11]

Inaugural tournament

The first half of the TNT Championship Tournament bracket was announced on the March 31 episode of Dark,[12] with the second half revealed on the following night's Dynamite.[13] The tournament began on the April 8 episode of Dynamite and concluded at Double or Nothing on May 23.[4]

Quarterfinals
Dynamite
(April 8, 15, 22, 2020) 		Semifinals
Dynamite
(April 29, 2020) 		Final
Double or Nothing
(May 23, 2020)
         
Cody Pin
Shawn Spears 21:38[14]
Cody Pin
Darby Allin 20:10[5]
Sammy Guevara 10:50[15]
Darby Allin Pin
Cody Pin
Lance Archer 22:00[6]
Dustin Rhodes Pin
Kip Sabian 14:10[15]
Dustin Rhodes 22:45[5]
Lance Archer Pin
Colt Cabana 12:42[16]
Lance Archer Pin

Belt design
The original red strap version of the TNT Championship belt; in honor of the late Mr. Brodie Lee (Jon Huber), the championship's second title holder, this red strap version of the title belt was retired on December 30, 2020 and given to Lee's son Brodie Lee Jr. (Brodie Huber), who was named honorary "TNT Champion for life"

The TNT Championship belt has six plates, which were originally on a red leather strap. The center plate prominently features the TNT network logo at the center. Above the TNT logo is AEW's logo, while below the TNT logo is a red banner that says "CHAMPION". The two inner side plates feature "Tara on Techwood", 1050 Techwood Drive in Atlanta, the building that was the original home of TNT. The two outer side plates feature AEW's logo, while a third smaller side plate on the far right side also features the promotion's logo. When the belt was initially unveiled at Double or Nothing on May 23, it was on a red leather strap but had no plating as production of the belt had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; it was also revealed that the final version would have gold plating and be unveiled at a later date.[6][17][18] The belt was produced by Ron Edwardsen of Red Leather, who also made the AEW World Tag Team Championship belts. He further said that there would also be nickel plating in addition to gold on the final version of the TNT Championship as well as a "relief TNT logo".[19] The completed version of the belt was shown on AEW's Twitter just a few hours before the August 12 episode of Dynamite where the finished design was debuted for Cody's match against Scorpio Sky, where Cody retained.[20][21]

Following the unexpected death of the championship's second title holder Mr. Brodie Lee in December 2020, AEW retired the red strap version of the championship belt that had been used up to that point to honor Lee (similar to how sports teams retire a number).[9] During Night 1 of the special New Year's Smash episode of Dynamite on January 6, 2021, a new belt was unveiled by Darby Allin, featuring the same overall design as the previous belt but on a black leather strap as opposed to red.[22]

Reigns
Current champion Darby Allin

As of February 6, 2021, there have been four reigns between three champions. Cody Rhodes, then known simply as Cody, was the inaugural champion. He also has the most reigns at two and his second reign is the shortest at 31 days. Mr. Brodie Lee was the oldest champion, winning the title at the age of 40, while Darby Allin is the youngest at the age of 27. Darby Allin’s current reign is the longest reign so far.

Darby Allin is the current champion in his first reign. He won the title by defeating Cody Rhodes on November 7, 2020 at Full Gear in Jacksonville, Florida.

Key
No. Overall reign number
Reign Reign number for the specific champion
Days Number of days held
Days recog. Number of days held recognized by the promotion
+ Current reign is changing daily
No. Champion Championship change Reign statistics Notes Ref.
Date Event Location Reign DaysDays recog.
1 Cody May 23, 2020 Double or Nothing Jacksonville, Florida 1 8291 Defeated Lance Archer in the tournament final to become the inaugural champion. AEW recognizes Cody's reign as ending on August 22, 2020, when the following episode aired on tape delay. [3][6]
2 Mr. Brodie Lee August 13, 2020 Dynamite Jacksonville, Florida 1 5546 AEW recognizes Lee's reign as beginning on August 22, 2020, when the episode aired on tape delay. [23]
3 Cody (Rhodes) October 7, 2020 Dynamite:
Chris Jericho's 30th Anniversary Celebration		 Jacksonville, Florida 2 3131 This was a Dog Collar match.
For Cody's title defense at Full Gear on November 7, 2020, his ring name was changed to Cody Rhodes, following WWE's cancellation of their trademark on the name.[7]		 [24]
4 Darby Allin November 7, 2020 Full Gear Jacksonville, Florida 1 91+91+ [25]

Combined reigns

As of February 6, 2021.

† Indicates the current champion
Rank Wrestler No. of
reigns		 Combined
days		 Combined days
rec. by AEW
1 Cody Rhodes2113122
2 Darby Allin †191+
3 Mr. Brodie Lee15546

Notes
  1. During his inaugural reign and through the majority of his second reign, his ring name was just Cody.

References
  1. Fowler, Matt (September 7, 2019). "AEW on TNT: Cody Rhodes Wants Quality Over Quantity - IGN First". IGN. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  2. Guzzo, Gisberto (February 11, 2020). "Cody Rhodes Says AEW Secondary Title Is Being Discussed". Fightful. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  3. Currier, Joseph (March 30, 2020). "AEW INTRODUCING TNT CHAMPIONSHIP, TOURNAMENT TO BEGIN ON APRIL 8". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  4. Powell, Jason (March 30, 2020). "AEW introducing the TNT Championship belt, winner to be crowned in a tournament". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  5. Powell, Jason (April 29, 2020). "4/29 AEW Dynamite TV results: Powell's live review of Cody vs. Darby Allin and Dustin Rhodes vs. Lance Archer in TNT Title tournament semifinal matches, Best Friends vs. Jimmy Havoc and Kip Sabian, Brodie Lee vs. Marko Stunt, AEW Champ Jon Moxley's promo". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  6. Powell, Jason (May 23, 2020). "AEW Double Or Nothing results: Powell's live review of Cody vs. Lance Archer to become the first TNT Champion (Mike Tyson presents the belt), Jon Moxley vs. Brodie Lee for the AEW Championship, The Elite vs. The Inner Circle in a Stadium Stampede match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  7. Powell, Jason (November 5, 2020). "AEW executive Cody comments on regaining the Cody Rhodes name from WWE". Pro Wresting Dot Net. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  8. AEW Staff (March 30, 2020). "AEW Announces Inaugural "TNT CHAMPIONSHIP" Tournament Beginning April 8 on AEW: DYNAMITE". All Elite Wrestling. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  9. Droste, Ryan (December 30, 2020). "AEW Retires Current TNT Title Belt Design In Honor Of Brodie Lee, New Belt In Development". ComicBook.com. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  10. Lambert, Jeremy (December 30, 2020). "Brodie Lee Jr Crowned As AEW TNT Champion For Life In Honor Of Brodie Lee, Brodie Jr's Belt Retired". Fightful. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  11. Acero, Tony (January 6, 2021). "Join 411's Live AEW Dynamite New Year's Smash (Night One) Coverage". 411 Mania. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  12. Currier, Joseph (March 31, 2020). "AEW REVEALS FIRST HALF OF TNT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT BRACKET". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  13. Nason, Josh (April 1, 2020). "AEW REVEALS FULL BRACKET FOR TNT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  14. Barnett, Jake (April 8, 2020). "4/8 AEW Dynamite TV results: Barnett's live review of Cody vs. Shawn Spears in a TNT Title tournament quarterfinal match, Hikaru Shida vs. Britt Baker, Lance Archer and Brodie Lee in action". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  15. Powell, Jason (April 22, 2020). "4/22 AEW Dynamite TV results: Powell's live review of Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara and Dustin Rhodes vs. Kip Sabian in TNT Title tournament matches, Orange Cassidy vs. Jimmy Havoc, Kenny Omega and Wardlow in action". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  16. Barnett, Jake (April 15, 2020). "4/15 AEW Dynamite TV results: Barnett's live review of Jon Moxley vs. Jake Hager in a No Holds Barred empty arena match for the AEW Title, Colt Cabana vs. Lance Archer in a TNT Title tournament quarterfinal match, Chuck Taylor vs. Kip Sabian, Sammy Guevara vs. Sugar D". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  17. Ashish (May 24, 2020). "Cody Rhodes Praises Lance Archer, Reveals Meaning Behind House on TNT Title Belt, Calls Mike Tyson Moment Surreal". 411mania.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  18. Droste, Ryan (May 23, 2020). "First Look: AEW Unveils TNT Championship Belt". ComicBook.com. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  19. Heel, N. (May 23, 2020). "BACKSTAGE NEWS ON AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP NOT BEING FINISHED". Heel By Nature. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  20. Cody [@CodyRhodes] (July 28, 2020). "August 12th (saw a nice video of the plates, very elegant)" (Tweet). Retrieved July 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
  21. All Elite Wrestling [@AEWrestling] (August 12, 2020). "#TNTChamp @CodyRhodes just a few hours away from his title defense against @ScorpioSky, and he gets a surprise from @RefTurnerAEW" (Tweet). Retrieved August 12, 2020 – via Twitter.
  22. Casey, Connor (January 6, 2021). "AEW Debuts New Version of the TNT Championship". ComicBook. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  23. Barnett, Jake (August 22, 2020). "8/22 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of Cody vs. Brodie Lee for the TNT Championship, FTR vs. Private Party, Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks vs. Alex Reynolds, John Silver, and Alan "Five" Angels, Brandi Rhodes and Allie vs. Ivelisse and Diamante in the Deadly Draw tournament finals". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  24. Powell, Jason (October 7, 2020). "10/7 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of 30 years of Chris Jericho celebration, Brodie Lee vs. Cody in a dog collar match for the TNT Championship, Brian Cage vs. Will Hobbs, Chris Jericho and Jake Hager vs. Luther and Serpentico, Serena Deeb vs. Big Swole". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  25. Powell, Jason (November 7, 2020). "AEW Full Gear results: Powell's live review of Jon Moxley vs. Eddie Kingston in an I Quit match for the AEW Championship, FTR vs. The Young Bucks for the AEW Tag Titles, Cody vs. Darby Allin for the TNT Title, Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose for the AEW Women's Title, Kenny Omega vs. Hangman Page in the eliminator tournament finals". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.