Definitely the ugliest title on this list, the WWF Hardcore belt is nonetheless one of the most lovingly-created. Joe Marshall, who previously worked making belts for WWF/WWE, noted that the Hardcore Title was simply one of the classic WWF 'Winged Eagle' Titles made by Reggie Parks, cannibalised and broken up to make the Hardcore version. Whatever the case, the Hardcore Title is a stroke of designing genius. The Hardcore division was chaotic, and often resulted in the title-holder carrying about the belt like a badge of honour. Like a target, the Hardcore Title was an effective under-card championship, and made for many cool moments on wrestling television. The belt would be subtly adapted once the company rebranded to WWE, and then eventually discontinued in the Summer of 2002, but millions of fans still fondly recall the aesthetics of the belt itself, one of the oddest creations to ever appear in the big time.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
