12 Exact Moments WWE Titles Became Worthless

12. The Ringmaster Is Million Dollar Champ

Looking back, the Million Dollar Title was a mere prop created to make Ted DiBiase's cash obsessed character look like an even bigger tyrant. It was established in 1989 during some entertaining and memorable vignettes, then DiBiase waved the thing in everyone's faces during feuds opposite then-former bodyguard Virgil and whispering promo artiste Jake Roberts. Later, Ted stopped talking about his custom made belt after winning the tag straps with IRS, and that was that.

Until 1996 rolled around, at least.

On the 8 January '96 Raw, DiBiase reactivated the title and handed it to his new charge The Ringmaster. Steve Austin wasn’t quite one of the biggest stars in the industry (like these untouchable WWE peers) at that point, but that’s not why this bombed. Unlike when Teddy was warring with Virgil or Roberts, The Ringmaster had nothing going on creatively or really any character-based ties to such a token prize. In short, fans didn't care about him carrying around DiBiase's old luggage.

As if realising this, the WWF ditched any Million Dollar chat shortly after Ted stopped being Austin's manager in May. It was a distant memory by the time Steve won King Of The Ring the next month and cut an iconic speech coining his new "Austin 3:16" catchphrase. That made more money than some dollar sign prop ever could.

Being honest, the Million Dollar Title's worth died as soon as DiBiase willingly handed it off like a Christmas present. The WWF shouldn't have let that happen. Belts, even ones like this, should be won during matches rather than gifted during promos.