AEWs decision to launch its own National Championship has officially stirred up the old-school hornets nestand now, we know who was behind the belt design.
According to a Fightful Select, AEW tapped veteran belt maker Dave Millican to work on the new title, calling it a bit of a throwback in style.
This reveal comes just after NWAs fierce response to what they consider a blatant disrespect to their historic National Championship. The NWA made a strong public statement on November 6 by crowning Mike Mondo as their new National Champion and reinforcing the belts legacy dating back to 1980.
The drama isnt just about a new titleits about wrestling history. NWAs Bryan Idol previously claimed AEWs move was retaliation for a lawsuit that derailed AEWs Shockwave project. Now, the fight isnt just in the ringits between promotions and their legacy.
NWAs own tweet fired off a reminder that their National Title has been held by legends like Dusty Rhodes, Tully Blanchard, Ted DiBiase, and Nikita Koloff. Mike Mondo, fresh off a win over Big Strong Mims, added fuel to the fire by putting AEW directly on notice:
Let me be CLEAR. There is only ONE NWA & there is only one PRESTIGIOUS National Championship that holds legit lineage & has for decades. So to Tony Khan or anyone else confused heres the legit title, with the company it belongs to & the legit National Champion! MY NAME IS MIKE MONDO.
Fightfuls update also explained how the NWA once unified the National Title with the U.S. Title in the 1980sthe very same U.S. Championship that WWE still features today. NWA only brought their version of the National Title back in 1997, and AEWs attempt to reintroduce a new version has reignited those long-simmering tensions.
In the middle of this storm, Millicans craftsmanship now stands front and centerwhether AEW fans accept it or not, his throwback design could become a major part of AEWs midcard scene moving forward. But for traditionalists and NWA loyalists, the message is clear: you cant rewrite wrestling history overnight.
AEW may have a new belt, but NWAs response proves theyre not giving up their place in the wrestling legacy discussion anytime soon.
Do you think AEWs new National Title disrespects NWAs legacyor is it just business? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
