Jim Cornette has seen a lot in pro wrestlingbut even hes at a loss when it comes to AEWs title scene.
On the first 2026 episode of The Jim Cornette Experience, the legendary manager and wrestling historian unleashed a scathing rant about AEWs overflowing championship landscape. The tipping point? AEWs Worlds End pay-per-view and the confusing conclusion to the Continental Classic tournament.
I dont even understand what you just said, and you pretty much summarized it, Cornette told co-host Brian Last, reacting to the now-infamous Triple Crown finale that supposedly unified the AEW Continental, ROH World, and NJPW Strong Openweight titlesonly for the belts to remain separate immediately afterward.
Cornette zeroed in on the visual mess created by top stars carrying lower-tier titles. He cited AEW World Champion Samoa Joe still walking out with the ROH Six-Man Tag Team title, saying it confused the goddamn issue and diminished the stature of AEWs top prize. He questioned why AEW didnt vacate that belt immediately, adding:
Cornette also took aim at the broader wrestling industry, where every promotion seems to be handing out belts like party favors. Carrying 14 belts out now she cant whip cream with an outboard motor, he joked, referring to top-tier stars like Mercedes Mon becoming belt collectors with no real story attached.
As of January 2026, AEW and ROH alone are juggling over a dozen active championships between them. And thats before factoring in WWEs ever-growing title count, which now includes Speed Championships, North American Womens Titles, and brand-specific U.S. and Intercontinental Championships for both men and women.
From AEWs International, Continental, National, and Trios belts To ROHs World, Pure, Television, Womens TV, Womens Pure, and Six-Man titlesTo WWEs 45-plus championships across Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Evolve, and WWE ID Cornette believes it all blurs the line between champion and just another guy with a belt.
Cornettes frustration taps into a growing chorus of fans and critics who argue that when everyone has gold, nobody stands outand the entire concept of championship prestige starts to crumble.
Do you think wrestling promotions like AEW and WWE have way too many title belts? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
