4 Ups & 3 Downs Of WWE Universal Championship

Downs...

3. The Name Makes No Sense

Steph Mick Foley
WWE

A cosmetic complaint, but one that isn’t without merit. The name “Universal Championship” makes zero sense within the context of modern-day WWE. It references the fanbase, the WWE Universe, sure, but the term “Universal” implies that the belt is all-encompassing, and represents every corner of the company as a whole.

This isn’t the case, of course. The belt stands for Monday Night Raw, and Raw alone. Dean Ambrose, John Cena, and SmackDown as a whole will have absolutely nothing to do with the Universal Championship, particularly with Ambrose’s WWE Title still in circulation.

It's a redundant name, and one that reeks of a desperate corporate attempt to pander to the fans. WWE are scrambling to reconnect with their fanbase as the New Era finds its feet, but they’ll much sooner accomplish that goal by producing shows as good as Battleground and this week’s Monday Night Raw than through moves like this.

It might not matter in the long run, but the “Universal Championship” has already been reduced to ridicule among certain sections of fans: an unideal start for a brand new belt.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.