10 Times Title Belts Were Horribly Disrespected

The stature of the fabled wrestling title belt has probably never been any lower.

Though still crucially existing as the ultimate prize performers 'work' for as pro wrestlers, the untold damage done to the prestige of titles over the years has left an irrevocable stain on the once-proud honour of being a champion.

In WWE, commentators and performers alike are infamously barred from saying 'belt' (and 'strap', and 'piece of tin', for any members of the Kliq keeping score), instead referring only to a 'championship' in another of the company's head-scratching edicts probably filtering down from the very top.

It's as if the choice of synonym could do even half the damage bad booking or years of mistreatment already has.

And yet, at least once a year, the organisation reminds the audience that there can be no bigger spot in the industry than challenging for a said 'championship' at WrestleMania.

Tackling a titleholder at the 'Showcase of the Immortals' remains one of the catbird seats in all of pro wrestling, and yet even in victory, a champion no longer walks with the confidence and swagger that existed decades ago.

From heinous acts of defiance to mockery and derision of everything they're supposed to represent, here are 10 inexcusable times title belts were cruelly disrespected.

In late-1997, Stone Cold Steve Austin was irrefutably the next breakout megastar in professional wrestling. Without a shred of hyperbole, 'The Rattlesnake' was on the cusp of something very special indeed, and like most transcendent movements in wrestling, it was something everybody associated with the product could universally feel.

A minor hitch in the ascent was the certain Intercontinental Title draped over his shoulder next to his very injured neck.

Forced to surrender the gold whilst partially recovering from the scary SummerSlam tombstone from Owen Hart that ended his career, Austin simply had to regain the title to complete their story, but was far less interested in laying down for the next man in line for the honour.

Rather than lose to a rapidly-improving Rocky Maivia, Stone Cold handed over his formerly beloved prize, rather dismissively inferring that he had 'bigger fish to fry' anyway.

As a cocky young heel, The Rock was only too grateful to accept the gift, which slightly glossed over the otherwise inexcusable derision.

Austin wasn't finished either. He caught Rocky with a quick stunner and stole the belt back, lobbing it miles off a bridge into a nearby river.