10 Awesome Ways Wrestling Champions Elevated Titles

9. Lou Thesz: The First True Travelling Champion

Tommaso Ciampa
WWE.com

Part of what made the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship the top belt in the sport was the concept of the travelling champion, with whoever was holding the strap taking it from territory to territory, putting the gold on the line against top contenders from all over.

Recognising whoever held the title as the World Champion was a condition of NWA membership. Territories had no choice but to adhere to this if they wanted to be part of the organisation and if they did, they'd have the champion roll through town, defend the belt, and ideally leave his defeated challenger looking good in defeat.

Though Lou Thesz wasn't the first NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, he is generally credited with minting the travelling champion's role - a considerable component of why he's considered such an important, game-champion legend. Taking the strap from state to state and defending it against the biggest and the best made it a special attraction. It was a draw in and of itself, and that disputes sprung when certain territories felt they weren't receiving their fair share of title appearances says it all. Seeing the travelling champion live was a hot ticket they didn't want to miss out on.

 
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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.