Major Title Change At AEW Battle Of The Belts

Which of Battle of the Belts' three AEW title fights yielded a new champion last night?

AEW Champions
AEW

Sammy Guevara was crowned interim TNT Champion at AEW's first Battle of the Belts event last night.

The Inner Circle man defeated Dustin Rhodes in the evening's opening match. Dustin was stepping in for his brother, Cody, who was originally booked to defend the real TNT Championship against Guevara before a medical issue forced him off the card. Prior to this, Cody had defeated Guarava to take the TNT strap for a third time on Rampage's 25 December episode.

Dustin scored plenty of offense against Guevara, including two Cross Rhodes and a destroyer through a table on the outside, though he was eventually felled after losing an exchange of cradle pin attempts.

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Daniel Garcia confronted Guevara after Sammy was presented with the interim TNT strap by David Crockett after the bell. Though officials broke their brawl up, Guevara challenged Garcia to a title fight shortly afterwards.

Battle of the Belts' other title matches saw Ricky Starks defend his FTW World Championship against Matt Sydal, who took a clean pinfall, while Women's World Champion Britt Baker fended off Riho in an interference-heavy bout. This was the first time Baker has beaten Riho in AEW.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.