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History of ROH Championship Belts

History of ROH Championship Belts

The history of ROH Championship belts reflects one of the most respected journeys in modern independent professional wrestling. Since Ring of Honor’s founding in 2002, its championships have been carried by some of the most technically skilled competitors in the sport, and the belts themselves have gone through several striking redesigns along the way.

 This guide covers everything you need to know — what an ROH belt actually is, the different types that exist, and the complete design evolution behind the promotion’s most prestigious titles.

What Is an ROH Belt?

An ROH belt is an official championship title awarded within Ring of Honor (ROH), an American professional wrestling promotion founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky. Known for prioritizing in-ring skill and storytelling over spectacle, ROH built a reputation for championships that felt earned rather than simply presented, and its belts have become respected symbols across the independent wrestling scene. Today, ROH operates alongside sister promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), with title matches regularly featured on both companies’ programming.

The Origin of the History of ROH Championship Belts

The story begins on June 22, 2002, when Ring of Honor held its first-ever championship tournament. Low Ki became the inaugural ROH World Champion after defeating Christopher Daniels, Spanky, and Doug Williams in a grueling 60-minute Iron Man match at the Crowning a Champion event. This moment marked the true beginning of the promotion’s championship legacy and set the tone for a title that would go on to be held by future stars like Samoa Joe, CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, and Adam Cole.

Design Evolution of the ROH World Championship

The Original Design (2002–2010)

The first version of the ROH World Championship featured a relatively understated design compared to bigger promotions, reflecting ROH’s early independent roots and its focus on in-ring quality over presentation.

The Eagle and Globe Redesign (2010–2012)

In 2010, alongside a matching redesign of the ROH World Tag Team Championship, the World title was updated to feature a spread-wing eagle positioned over a globe, with the ROH logo prominently displayed and flags from various countries decorating the strap — a nod to the title’s international championship defenses.

The Final Battle Redesign (December 2012–2017)

A newer design debuted at the Final Battle pay-per-view in December 2012, refining the belt’s look while keeping its core visual identity intact.

The 2017 Redesign (2017–2023)

At Final Battle in December 2017, ROH unveiled yet another version of the championship, giving the title a more modern, sleek finish that remained in use for roughly six years.

The Current Design: A Tribute to Jay Briscoe (2023–Present)

On March 31, 2023, ROH revealed its sixth and most recent belt design at Countdown to Supercard of Honor. The current version features a black strap and five plates, with a silver center plate showing a globe and the modern Ring of Honor logo, framed by two black banners reading “World” and “Wrestling Champion.” The circular side plates include an engraved tribute to Jay Briscoe performing his signature “Jay Driller” finisher, honoring the former champion and ROH Hall of Famer who passed away in January 2023. When his brother Mark Briscoe later became champion, he introduced a personal variant of the belt featuring a black-and-white camouflage strap as a tribute to Jay.

Types of ROH Championship Belts

Ring of Honor’s title picture extends well beyond the World Championship, and understanding the history of ROH Championship belts wouldn’t be complete without covering each of these divisions.

ROH World Television Championship

Introduced in January 2010, this secondary men’s singles title has been held by stars including Jay Lethal, Adam Cole, Tomohiro Ishii, and Samoa Joe. It has gone through four design changes since its debut.

ROH World Tag Team Championship

Established alongside the original World Championship in 2002, this belt recognizes the promotion’s top tag team and has seen its design evolve multiple times over the years.

ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship

Introduced in 2016, this championship added a new dimension to ROH’s tag division, contested by trios rather than traditional two-man teams.

ROH Pure Championship

Originally introduced in 2004 and later reintroduced in 2020, this specialty title is contested under “Pure Wrestling Rules,” emphasizing technical, count-based limitations that pay homage to old-school in-ring competition.

ROH Women's Championships

ROH’s women’s division features its own World Championship, along with a Women’s Pure Championship introduced in December 2025, mirroring the men’s specialty title format.

Why This Matters for Collectors and Fans

Despite operating on a smaller scale than WWE or AEW, ROH’s championships carry a distinct reputation built on genuine in-ring competition and passionate storytelling. Champions like Samoa Joe, Bryan Danielson, and Nigel McGuinness helped define an era where holding an ROH belt meant being recognized among the best technical wrestlers in North America. Anyone researching the history of ROH Championship belts will find that legacy continues to shape how fans and collectors view these titles today.

Own a Piece of ROH History

Explore our full collection of authentic-style ROH Championship replica belts, inspired by the title’s most iconic designs, from the classic eagle-and-globe belt to the current Jay Briscoe tribute design

FAQs

Who was the first ROH World Champion?

Low Ki became the inaugural ROH World Champion on July 27, 2002, after winning a 60-minute Iron Man match against Christopher Daniels, Spanky, and Doug Williams.

How many designs has the ROH World Championship belt had?

The title has had six major belt designs since 2002, with the current version introduced in March 2023 as a tribute to former champion Jay Briscoe.

What is the most iconic ROH belt design?

Many fans point to the 2010 eagle-and-globe design as one of the most visually memorable versions in the history of ROH Championship belts, though the current tribute design holds special sentimental significance.

What types of ROH Championship belts are there?

ROH features several titles, including the World Championship, World Television Championship, World Tag Team Championship, World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, Pure Championship, and Women’s Championships.

Conclusion

The history of ROH Championship belts tells the story of a promotion built on substance over spectacle. From Low Ki’s inaugural reign in 2002 to today’s tribute design honoring Jay Briscoe, each version of the title reflects a different chapter of Ring of Honor’s journey, while champions like Samoa Joe, CM Punk, and Bryan Danielson helped cement its reputation as one of the most respected championships in independent wrestling. Understanding the different types of ROH belts and their design evolution offers a deeper appreciation for what makes this title so special.

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