The world of professional wrestling has never been more saturated with championships than it is today. With a multitude of promotions and a seemingly endless stream of titles being created, it’s no wonder that wrestling legend Jim Cornette has come out swinging against the current state of the championship landscape.
On a recent episode of his popular podcast, The Jim Cornette Experience, the wrestling historian and manager expressed his confusion and frustration regarding the state of championships in modern-day wrestling. Specifically, Cornette targeted All Elite Wrestling (AEW), criticizing the promotion’s decision to award a plethora of titles to its talent.
According to Cornette, the abundance of championships in AEW creates a scenario where multiple wrestlers can hold titles simultaneously, diluting the prestige and significance of each individual championship. “When you’ve got 20 guys on the card, all of whom have got a belt, it’s not that special anymore,” Cornette said. “Everybody’s got a belt, and it’s just not as meaningful.”
Cornette’s comments are not without merit. In recent years, AEW has awarded a staggering number of titles to its wrestlers, including multiple championships within the same weight class. This has led to a scenario where wrestlers can hold multiple titles at the same time, a phenomenon that Cornette refers to as the “championship overload.”
The championship overload has been a topic of discussion among wrestling fans and pundits for some time. While some argue that the increased number of titles has created more opportunities for wrestlers to shine, others believe that it has led to a watering down of the championship scene.
According to a WWE insider, the issue of championship overload is not unique to AEW. “All the major promotions are struggling with the same issue,” the source said. “When you’ve got too many titles floating around, it’s hard to know what’s truly meaningful and what’s just a gimmick.”
The insider noted that the proliferation of titles has led to a situation where wrestlers are often more focused on defending their championships than on competing against one another. “When you’ve got multiple titles to defend, it’s hard to build a cohesive storyline or create a compelling rivalry,” the source said. “It’s all about the titles, rather than the wrestlers themselves.”
WWE has not been immune to the championship overload. In recent years, the company has awarded a number of titles to its wrestlers, including the United States Championship, which has been held by multiple wrestlers simultaneously. While WWE has been successful in creating a compelling championship scene, the company’s efforts have been hampered by the same issues that plague AEW.
According to a source close to Cody Rhodes, WWE’s decision to award multiple titles to its wrestlers has been driven by a desire to create more opportunities for its talent. “The goal is to give as many wrestlers as possible a chance to hold a championship at some point in their careers,” the source said. “But in the process, we risk diluting the significance of each individual title.”
As the wrestling world continues to grapple with the issue of championship overload, it remains to be seen whether promotions like AEW and WWE can find a balance between creating opportunities for their wrestlers and preserving the prestige of their titles. For now, Cornette’s comments serve as a reminder that the championship scene is at a crossroads, and the path forward is far from clear.
In the end, Cornette’s comments are a call to action for the wrestling industry as a whole. As the industry continues to evolve and grow, it’s essential that promotions prioritize the significance and prestige of their titles. Only then can the championship scene truly shine, and the art of professional wrestling be elevated to new heights.
Jim Cornette’s full comments on The Jim Cornette Experience:
“You’ve got guys running around with 20 different belts, and it’s not that special anymore. When you’ve got 20 guys on the card, all of whom have got a belt, it’s just not as meaningful. You’ve got to find a way to make the titles mean something again, or else it’s just a joke.”
A WWE insider’s thoughts on the championship overload:
“It’s a delicate balance between giving wrestlers opportunities and preserving the significance of the titles. When you’ve got too many titles floating around, it’s hard to know what’s truly meaningful and what’s just a gimmick. We’re constantly trying to find a way to make the titles shine, while still giving our wrestlers a chance to succeed.”
A source close to Cody Rhodes on WWE’s approach to championships:
“The goal is to give as many wrestlers as possible a chance to hold a championship at some point in their careers. But in the process, we risk diluting the significance of each individual title. We’re constantly trying to find a balance between creating opportunities for our wrestlers and preserving the prestige of our titles.”