Christian Cage Retires TNA World Heavyweight Title
The TNA World Heavyweight Championship is no more, says Christian Cage.
IMPACT Wrestling has officially retired the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, as was revealed on last night's AXS TV broadcast.
Christian Cage, the current champion, unveiled the news, stating that the history of the title would be engraved in his mind forever. From there, 'The Instant Classic' handed the strap over to ring announcer David Penzer, who took the belt backstage as Cage stood with the official IMPACT title.
The TNA title was initially brought back to IMPACT television during Rebellion 2020, with Moose entering as the champion in the absence of then-World Champion, Tessa Blanchard. Though 'The Wrestling God' would actively defend the championship, it wasn't until this past February that Scott D'Amore, IMPACT's Executive Vice President, officially sanctioned the title as an active championship.
Only Rich Swann and Kenny Omega have held the title since. Swann unified the titles in a corker of a contest vs. Moose at March's Sacrifice special on IMPACT Plus, before dropping both straps to Omega at Rebellion in April, with the AEW World Championship also defended.
Christian's first defence of the title as of this writing is tonight (20 August), as Brian Myers challenges him at Emergence. From there, either Sami Callihan, Chris Sabin, Ace Austin, or Moose will contend the winner at Victory Road in September.