10 Times Wrestlers Had Their Title Belts STOLEN

5. The Big Gold Belt Goes Missing

WWE title stolen
WWE.com

It's an iconic championship design, WCW's Big Gold Belt, but the original strap (that debuted all the way back in 1986) is believed to have gone missing after Scott Steiner defended it against Sid Vicious at Starrcade 2000.

A replica was used thereafter, then brought over into WWE when Vince McMahon purchased the company a few months later. Of course, the design is no longer in use on WWE television. The promotion opted for straps that look like children's toys rather than glittering prizes a long time ago, with the original Big Gold Belt in the possession of a private collector as of 2013.

Wrestling historian Dick Bourne (author of 2014's Big Gold: A Close Look at Pro Wrestling's Most Celebrated Championship Belt) tracked it down, maintaining the "owner's" anonymity while writing his book. Another title belt expert, Dave Millican, authenticated Big Gold when an unknown WCW wrestler sold it to the collector when WWE's purchase of WCW went through in 2001.

There remains no concrete word of who stole the Big Gold Belt in 2000, then eventually sold it on.

 
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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.