10 Things You Didn't Know About The WWE Title

1. First Live Title Changes

Today, live television is a staple of sporting events, and especially the WWE. The premium placed on live television is higher than ever before, and with the advent of satellite systems and social media it doesn't look to be changing any time soon. The same couldn't be said for the 1980's, however. Live programming wasn't as important to viewers, and honestly, most didn't know any better anyway. In fact, the first twelve recognized title reigns weren't live, something that almost never happens these days. In February 1988, the WWE aired "The Main Event," largely built around the huge re-match between champion Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. Controversy ensued when an evil twin referee emerged and cost Hogan the title, and thus making Andre the new champion. This was a live TV title change well before it became the norm on Monday Night Raw, even though it didn't last long, as Andre surrendered the title to his benefactor, Ted DiBiase. Since you can't sell a title, the match's ending was controversial, and Andre did verbally surrender the title anyway, that switch also led directly to the first live pay-per-view title change, as the vacant WWF Title was decided in a huge tournament at WrestleMania IV. The tournament would end up being won by "Macho Man" Randy Savage, and started a tradition of live PPV title changes. The next WWF Title change on live cable TV wouldn't happen for another nine years, however. Despite the WWE adopting Raw as it's flagship program, the show often featured lower card or non-competitive matches, saving the monster match ups for pay-per-view. On February, 17, 1997, that all changed, and Sycho Sid would defeat Bret Hart, and become the new WWF champion. Since Sid's victory, there have been 10 WWF title changes on live editions of Raw.