AEW TNT Championship

Lore & Background

The championship was announced on March 30, 2020, on AEW's YouTube series Road to Dynamite. An eight-man single-elimination tournament was held to crown the first champion, beginning on the April 8 episode of Dynamite and concluding at Double or Nothing on May 23, where Cody defeated Lance Archer to become the inaugural champion. The title belt originally had a red leather strap, but after the death of Mr. Brodie Lee (the second champion), the red strap version was retired on December 30, 2020, and given to his son. A new black strap version debuted on January 6, 2021. The championship is named after the TNT network at the request of WarnerMedia. Despite Dynamite moving to TBS in January 2022, the title was not renamed; instead, a separate AEW TBS Championship was established for the women's division.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights dimmed as the crowd roared, their chants echoing off the steel rafters. In the center of the ring stood the champion, the gold of the TNT Championship gleaming under the spotlights, a heavy reminder of the weekly battles fought to keep it. The challenger circled, eyes locked on the prize that had defined careers and shifted tides in AEW history.

Reader's Guide

The championship is a secondary title in AEW, though Tony Khan has stated he does not book it as a mid-card title. It has been defended on Dynamite, Rampage, Collision, and special events like Double or Nothing and Battle of the Belts. The current champion is Darby Allin, who is in his record-tying third reign. The title has had several short reigns between 2022 and 2023, leading some journalists to call it a 'hot potato' championship.

Did You Know?

• The inaugural champion was Cody Rhodes, who defeated Lance Archer at Double or Nothing on May 23, 2020.
• The original red strap version of the belt was retired in honor of Mr. Brodie Lee and given to his son, who was named TNT Champion for life.
• The championship is named after the TNT network, which airs AEW's Collision and other specials.
• Darby Allin is the current champion, tying the record for most reigns at three, alongside Cody Rhodes and Sammy Guevara.