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FTW Championship
The second and final belt design of the FTW Championship.
(1998-1999, 2020-2024)
Details
PromotionExtreme Championship Wrestling
(1998–1999)
All Elite Wrestling
(2020–2024)
Date establishedMay 14, 1998
Date retiredSeptember 25, 2024
Other names
  • FTW Heavyweight Championship
    (1998–1999)
  • FTW Championship
    (2020–2024)
Statistics
First championTaz
Final championHook
Most reignsHook
(3 reigns)
Longest reignRicky Starks
(378 days)
Shortest reignTaz
(2nd reign, <1 day)
Oldest championChris Jericho
(53 years, 164 days)
Youngest championHook
(23 years, 84 days)
Heaviest championBrian Cage
(268 lb (122 kg))
Lightest championJack Perry
(167 lb (76 kg))

The FTW ("Fuck The World") Championship was a professional wrestling championship. It was presented as an "outlaw" or "renegade" title that was unsanctioned by officials in-storyline, and often served as a hardcore championship, as many matches for the title were held under "FTW Rules". It was used in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) from 1998 to 1999 and in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2020 to 2024. The title was originally established in the now defunct ECW promotion in 1998 by its inaugural holder, Taz, which upon its introduction in AEW in 2020 made it the oldest championship in AEW until the title's retirement.

It was originally unified into the ECW World Heavyweight Championship when then ECW World Heavyweight Champion Taz won the title from Sabu at Living Dangerously 1999. It remained inactive for 21 years but the title was never actually property of ECW but of Taz himself. As such, the title was not included in the intellectual property sold to WWE during the sale of ECW in 2001, allowing Taz to reintroduce the title in AEW in 2020, this time awarding it to his client, Brian Cage. It was introduced in a similar matter to how it was introduced in ECW; the world champion of the promotion was inactive at the time, and unable to defend it, thus the FTW Championship was awarded to the would-be challenger. On September 25, 2024, at Dynamite: Grand Slam, Taz's son and record three-time champion Hook retired the title following his title defense.

History

[edit]

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1998–1999)

[edit]

"And, hey, everybody knows that there's no way a fuck from Pittsburgh can beat up a man from Brooklyn. So what I got right here, I am the world champion, and I have the proof. You can call it the Brooklyn Title or the Fuck The World Belt!"
— Taz unveiling the FTW Heavyweight Championship at It Ain't Seinfeld

The championship's creator Taz, who held the title twice.

The FTW Heavyweight Championship was designed, created, and conceived by Taz, who also owns the rights to the title.[1] The title was used to compensate for storylines that had to be dropped due to injuries. ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas had a serious sinus infection and an elbow injury. Taz and Al Snow also missed their matches at Wrestlepalooza 1998 due to health problems.[2] ECW Owner Paul Heyman said the title suited Taz's "bad-ass, no-nonsense" attitude."[2]

Taz announced the creation of the FTW Heavyweight Championship (also referred to as the Brooklyn World Championship) on May 14, 1998, at It Ain't Seinfeld. In the storyline, he was frustrated by his inability to challenge for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship due to Champion Shane Douglas' injury and refusal to face him. Taz created and defended his own world title, billing himself as the "real" World Champion. He stated that fans appreciated the message conveyed by the title, which represented contempt for bosses and society, and said that he believed it was more appreciated than the company's top title.[3] The championship was billed as "unrecognized" by ECW.[3][4]

Taz lost the title only once, in a singles match against Sabu. This was an intentional loss, when he pulled an unconscious Sabu over himself on December 19, 1998 (he was confident that he would defeat Shane Douglas in an upcoming title bout, and thus no longer needed the FTW Heavyweight Championship).[5] Taz regained the title at Living Dangerously on March 21, 1999, where he unified the FTW Heavyweight Championship with the ECW World Heavyweight Championship (which he then held) by defeating Sabu in a title versus title match.[6][7] Taz then began using only the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, being the sole World Heavyweight Championship in the promotion, in turn retiring the FTW Heavyweight Championship.

All Elite Wrestling (2020–2024)

[edit]

Taz began appearing in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in late 2019 and officially signed with the company in January 2020 as a commentator. He then began managing Brian Cage. On Night 2 of Dynamite: Fyter Fest on July 2 that year (aired on July 8), Cage was scheduled to face Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship; however, the match was postponed as Moxley had to self-quarantine after his wife Renee Paquette had tested positive for COVID-19. In turn, Taz reinstated the title (as the FTW Championship) that night and awarded it to Cage, mirroring the circumstances behind the title's original inception in ECW. Just like in ECW, the FTW Championship was not an officially sanctioned championship in AEW.[8]

After winning the title at Dynasty in April 2024, due to the negative connotation of the "FTW" abbreviation, Chris Jericho, under his gimmick of a delusional mentor "The Learning Tree", rechristened "FTW" as "For The World" and declared that the title was for all the fans.[9] The “FTW” abbreviation went back to its original meaning after Jericho lost the title to Hook. On September 25 at Dynamite: Grand Slam, Hook retired the FTW Championship after his title defense and returned the title to his father, Taz.[10]

Belt designs

[edit]
The original FTW Heavyweight Championship belt
(introduced on May 14, 1998)

When the title was first created, the FTW belt was a custom ECW Television Championship belt with a leather strap painted orange, stickers partially covering the belt,[3] and a "TAZ" logo at the top. "FTW" stickers were strategically placed over the word "Television" in the middle of the belt as well as the United States and United Kingdom flags on the side plates. A few months later, in an attempt to persuade Taz to team with Sabu and Rob Van Dam against Shane Douglas and The Triple Threat, Bill Alfonso presented Taz with an original FTW belt featuring a black leather strap and orange-accented bronze plates, with a "TAZ" logo engraved in the belt's centerplate. This second design would also be used for the belt after its reintroduction in AEW. Taz stated that the concept and attitude have been replicated by other companies.[3]

According to Taz on The Rise and Fall of ECW DVD documentary, when Sabu won the title, he was legitimately upset backstage over Taz's name being permanently displayed on the belt. From then on, whenever Sabu had the belt with him, he would cover the Taz logo with athletic tape and write "SABU" on it in magic marker.[11] A similar instance occurred with former FTW Champion Chris Jericho, as after winning the title, he appeared on the April 24, 2024, episode of Dynamite with a decal of his name at the top of the belt to cover Taz's name.

Reigns

[edit]
Record three-time and final champion Hook, who also had the longest combined days as champion at 626 days.

There were a total of 10 reigns between seven champions and one vacancy. Taz was the inaugural champion. His son Hook was the final champion and also had the most reigns at three, as well as the longest combined reign at 626 days. Ricky Starks had the longest singular reign at 378 days while Taz's second reign was the shortest at less than a day as he abandoned the title upon winning the ECW World Heavyweight Championship in a championship unification match. Chris Jericho was the oldest champion at 53 years old while Hook was the youngest when he first won the title at 23.

Names

[edit]
Name Years
FTW Heavyweight Championship May 14, 1998 – March 21, 1999
FTW Championship July 2, 2020 – September 25, 2024
Key
No. Overall reign number
Reign Reign number for the specific champion
Days Number of days held
<1 Reign lasted less than a day
+ Current reign is changing daily
No. Champion Championship change Reign statistics Notes Ref.
Date Event Location Reign Days
Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)
1 Taz May 14, 1998 It Ain't Seinfeld Queens, NY 1 219 Taz introduced the FTW Heavyweight Championship during a storyline. [12]
2 Sabu December 19, 1998 Hardcore TV Philadelphia, PA 1 92 This was a triple threat match, also involving Justin Credible.
Aired on tape delay on December 23, 1998. 		[5]
3 Taz March 21, 1999 Living Dangerously Asbury Park, NJ 2 <1 This was an Extreme Death match which was also for Taz's ECW World Heavyweight Championship. [6][7]
— Unified March 21, 1999 Living Dangerously Asbury Park, NJ — — Taz unified the title with the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
4 Brian Cage July 2, 2020 Dynamite:
Fyter Fest
Night 2 		Jacksonville, FL 1 377 Taz reintroduced the title as the FTW Championship and awarded it to Cage, whom he was managing.
Aired on tape delay on July 8, 2020 		[13][8]
5 Ricky Starks July 14, 2021 Dynamite:
Fyter Fest
Night 1 		Cedar Park, TX 1 378 [14]
6 Hook July 27, 2022 Dynamite:
Fight for the Fallen 		Worcester, MA 1 357 [15]
7 Jack Perry July 19, 2023 Dynamite:
Blood & Guts 		Boston, MA 1 39 [16]
8 Hook August 27, 2023 All In:
Zero Hour 		London, England 2 238 This was an FTW Rules match. [17]
9 Chris Jericho April 21, 2024 Dynasty St. Louis, MO 1 126 This was an FTW Rules match. [18]
10 Hook August 25, 2024 All In London, England 3 31 This was an FTW Rules Last Chance match. Had Hook lost, he would have never been able to challenge for the title again for as long as Chris Jericho was champion. [19]
— Deactivated September 25, 2024 Dynamite:
Grand Slam 		Queens, NY — — After successfully defending the title against Roderick Strong, Hook announced the retirement of the FTW Championship. [10]

Combined reigns

[edit]
Ricky Starks, who has the longest singular reign at 378 days
Rank Wrestler No. of
reigns 		Combined days
1 Hook 3 626
2 Ricky Starks 1 378
3 Brian Cage 1 377
4 Taz 2 219
5 Chris Jericho 1 126
6 Sabu 1 92
7 Jack Perry 1 39

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

FTW Championship

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The FTW Championship, an acronym for "Fuck The World," was a professional wrestling championship originally created on May 14, 1998, in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) by the wrestler Taz as an unsanctioned title amid his frustration with the promotion's official world heavyweight championship.[1] Taz declared himself the inaugural champion during an ECW house show in Queens, New York, positioning the belt as a renegade alternative that emphasized hardcore, no-rules matches outside official recognition.[2] The title saw limited defenses in ECW, with Taz holding it for a 219-day initial reign before losing it to Sabu on December 19, 1998, and it was briefly reactivated in 1999 without further activity after ECW's decline.[3] Revived over two decades later in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the FTW Championship was reintroduced on July 8, 2020, during the Fyter Fest event, where Taz awarded it to his ally Brian Cage as a nod to its outlaw origins and to highlight unsanctioned warfare within AEW's roster.[4] In AEW, the title became synonymous with intense, stipulation-heavy feuds, particularly those involving Taz's Team Taz stable, and was defended exclusively under "FTW Rules"—no disqualifications, no count-outs, and unrestricted violence—mirroring its ECW roots.[5] Over its four-year run in AEW, the championship changed hands six times among five wrestlers, with HOOK (Taz's real-life son) achieving the most reigns at three and holding the distinction of the final champion after his third reign.[6] The FTW Championship was officially retired on September 25, 2024, at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam, when HOOK vacated the title following a successful defense against Roderick Strong, returning the physical belt to his father Taz in an emotional ceremony that symbolized the end of its legacy.[7] Throughout its existence across both promotions, the belt represented rebellion against establishment titles, fostering memorable hardcore bouts and elevating midcard talents through its non-sanctioned status, though it never achieved the prestige of main world championships in either ECW or AEW.[8] Its retirement marked the conclusion of a 26-year arc, leaving an indelible mark on wrestling's alternative championship lore.[9]

History

Inception in ECW (1998)

In early 1998, Taz, a dominant force in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), found himself unable to pursue the ECW World Heavyweight Championship due to champion Shane Douglas being sidelined by a storyline injury and refusing to grant him a title match.[2] This frustration stemmed from Taz's rising status as a main event talent following his successful defenses of the ECW World Television Championship earlier in the year, which he lost to Bam Bam Bigelow on March 1, 1998, at Living Dangerously.[10] To circumvent ECW's official structure and affirm his position as the legitimate world champion, Taz took matters into his own hands by creating an alternative title. On May 14, 1998, at the ECW house show event titled It Ain't Seinfeld in Elmhurst, New York, Taz unveiled the FTW Heavyweight Championship during a promotional segment.[1] He presented a repainted version of an old ECW Television Championship belt, proclaiming himself the inaugural champion and dubbing it the FTW title—officially standing for "For The World," though it carried the provocative double meaning of "Fuck The World" to underscore its rebellious nature.[1] Taz explicitly stated that the championship was unsanctioned by ECW and its promoter Paul Heyman, positioning it as an independent declaration of supremacy outside the promotion's recognized hierarchy.[2] The FTW Championship's inception aligned closely with ECW's signature hardcore wrestling ethos, which thrived on boundary-pushing violence, fan interaction, and disdain for traditional wrestling conventions.[1] This environment encouraged the title's no-rules foundation, allowing matches under "FTW Rules" that permitted unrestricted weapons, interference, and brutality without official oversight, reflecting the promotion's emphasis on extreme, unfiltered competition.[10] Taz's first defense of the FTW Championship came on June 6, 1998, at an ECW television taping in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he defeated Mikey Whipwreck via submission with the Tazmission in a no-disqualification match.[2] Despite interference from Lance Storm and Tammy Lynn Sytch on Whipwreck's behalf, Taz retained the title, solidifying its legitimacy in the eyes of ECW fans through his continued dominance.[11]

ECW defenses and deactivation (1998–1999)

Following its inception, the FTW Championship saw limited but intense defenses during Taz's initial reign, emphasizing its unsanctioned, no-disqualification nature that allowed for brutal, unrestricted contests. Taz's first major defense occurred at ECW Heat Wave on August 2, 1998, where he retained the title against Bam Bam Bigelow in a falls count anywhere match, submitting Bigelow with the Tazmission after a grueling brawl that spilled into the crowd and involved weapons like chairs and tables.[12][1] This victory solidified Taz's dominance as the self-proclaimed "real world champion," drawing significant fan support despite ECW's official non-recognition of the belt.[5] Taz continued to defend the title sporadically on television, including a chaotic three-way encounter on the August 12, 1998, episode of ECW Hardcore TV against Sabu and Bam Bam Bigelow, which ended in a no-contest due to interference and brawling, preventing a clear finish but heightening rivalries.[13] Later that year, on September 19, 1998, during ECW's tour in Japan, Taz retained against Justin Credible in a no-DQ match, overpowering Credible with suplexes and submissions amid international hardcore action.[14] These defenses, often featuring high-impact spots and no-holds-barred stipulations, underscored the title's outlaw appeal and Taz's unyielding persona, though they were not formally acknowledged by ECW promoters.[1] Taz's reign ended intentionally on December 19, 1998, during an episode of ECW Hardcore TV taped at the ECW Arena, when he lost the FTW Championship to Sabu in a three-way no-DQ match also involving Justin Credible. In a storyline twist, Taz laid down for the pin after positioning an unconscious Sabu on top of him, allowing Sabu to win the title while freeing Taz to pursue the official ECW World Heavyweight Championship held by Shane Douglas.[15][2] Sabu, embracing the belt's renegade status, taped his name over Taz's on the plate and held it briefly without notable defenses, as ECW's focus shifted amid mounting internal tensions.[1][16] Sabu's reign lasted 92 days until March 21, 1999, at ECW Living Dangerously, where Taz defeated him to regain the FTW Championship in a unification match against the now-vacant ECW World Heavyweight Championship (which Taz had won from Douglas on January 10, 1999, at Guilty as Charged).[2][15] With the titles combined under Taz, the FTW Championship was deactivated later in 1999, as ECW prioritized its primary world title amid escalating financial difficulties, including unpaid talent and venue issues that plagued the promotion through its final years.[5][1] During its ECW run, the title saw three reigns: Taz's inaugural 219-day tenure, Sabu's 92-day hold, and Taz's brief final possession before unification.[2]

Revival in AEW (2020)

On July 8, 2020, during the Fyter Fest Night 2 episode of AEW Dynamite, Taz announced the revival of the FTW Championship, reintroducing the title he had originally created in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in 1998 to emphasize AEW's commitment to hardcore wrestling and pay homage to his ECW legacy.[17][18] Taz presented the championship to his protégé Brian Cage immediately after the announcement, bestowing it upon him without a match as part of the emerging Team Taz faction storyline, with the intent to showcase Cage's dominance and protect him from potential injuries ahead of his AEW World Championship opportunity.[19][20] The revived title maintained its unsanctioned status, operating outside AEW's official championship framework with no disqualifications allowed, and was positioned for defenses in street fights or extreme rules matches to align with the promotion's growing roster of titles and its incorporation of ECW-influenced alumni like Taz.[17][1]

AEW defenses and final reign (2020–2024)

The FTW Championship was revived in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) by Taz on July 8, 2020, during Fyter Fest Night 2, where he awarded it to his Team Taz stablemate Brian Cage after Cage's scheduled AEW World Championship match against Jon Moxley was postponed due to Moxley's positive COVID-19 test.[5] Cage's ensuing reign emphasized Team Taz's dominance, with the group positioning the unsanctioned title as a symbol of their untouchable status in AEW. Over the next year, Cage made several defenses on AEW programming, including a successful retention against Will Hobbs on the October 7, 2020, episode of Dynamite in a match that tested internal loyalties within Team Taz.[1] His reign lasted 371 days, the longest in FTW history at the time, until he lost the title to stablemate Ricky Starks on July 14, 2021, during Fyter Fest Night 1 on Dynamite, where interference from Powerhouse Hobbs aided Starks in securing the victory with a Spear.[21] Ricky Starks' reign as FTW Champion solidified Team Taz's heel faction storyline, with Starks adopting an "Absolute" persona that blended charisma and aggression to elevate the title's prominence in AEW's midcard division. Starks defended the championship multiple times, including a hard-fought retention against Jay Lethal on the February 4, 2022, episode of Rampage in a match stipulating Lethal's career was on the line, emphasizing the high stakes of FTW Rules bouts that allowed weapons and no disqualifications.[22] Another key defense came against Swerve Strickland on the July 20, 2022, episode of Rampage, where Starks retained amid escalating rivalries outside Team Taz, using the title to build his singles star power.[23] His 378-day reign, the longest overall for the FTW Championship, ended on July 27, 2022, at Dynamite: Fight for the Fallen, when he issued an open challenge answered by Hook, Taz's son, who submitted Starks with Redrum to win the title in Hook's AEW in-ring debut, marking the culmination of a storyline teasing family legacy and betrayal within Team Taz.[24] Hook's first reign began with an undefeated streak that defined his "Cold Hearted Handsome Devil" persona, portraying him as an unstoppable force carrying forward his father Taz's ECW legacy while distancing himself from Team Taz's remnants. During this 357-day run, Hook made notable defenses, including a triple threat FTW Rules match against Austin and Colten Gunn on the August 10, 2022, episode of Dynamite, where he forced Austin to submit with Redrum despite the Gunn brothers' numbers advantage, reinforcing his dominance in chaotic environments. The reign ended on July 19, 2023, at Dynamite: Blood & Guts, when Jack Perry defeated him via roll-up after a distraction, handing Hook his first professional loss and shifting the storyline toward Perry's opportunistic heel turn amid his real-life Bullet Club Gold affiliations.[25] Perry's brief 39-day reign focused on controversial defenses that amplified his rebellious character, including a high-profile retention against Rob Van Dam—making his AEW debut—on the August 9, 2023, episode of Dynamite, where Perry won with a low blow and roll-up, drawing boos for disrespecting wrestling legend RVD.[26] He lost the title back to Hook on August 27, 2023, at All In: London during the Zero Hour pre-show in an FTW Rules match, with Hook securing the submission victory to reclaim the championship and extend his redemption arc.[27] Hook's second reign, lasting 238 days, featured limited but impactful defenses amid injury angles, building toward a mentorship-turned-rivalry with Chris Jericho, who positioned himself as a veteran guide invoking Taz's teachings. Jericho captured the FTW Championship from Hook on April 21, 2024, at Dynasty in an FTW Rules match, winning with a bat-assisted Judas Effect after a brutal exchange involving weapons, kickstarting Jericho's extended heel run where he rebranded as "The For The World Champion" to mock the title's origins while feuding with younger talent.[28] During his 126-day reign, Jericho integrated the title into his Learning Tree stable storyline, using it to mentor and dominate proteges like Daniel Garcia.[29] The reign concluded on August 25, 2024, at All In Wembley during the Zero Hour, when Hook defeated him with Redrum assistance from Taz at ringside, becoming a three-time champion and tying his father's ECW record in a emotionally charged family reconciliation moment.[30] Hook's final reign spanned just 31 days, serving as a capstone to the title's AEW era with a focus on legacy preservation rather than extensive defenses, though he retained against Roderick Strong on the September 25, 2024, episode of Dynamite: Grand Slam in a hard-fought FTW Rules match that underscored his resilience against established veterans.[31] This period encapsulated the championship's evolution from Team Taz's faction tool to a symbol of intergenerational hardcore wrestling, with a total of seven distinct reigns across AEW programming before its deactivation.[6]

Retirement by Hook (2024)

Hook defeated Chris Jericho to win the FTW Championship for a third time at AEW All In on August 25, 2024, in London, England, with assistance from his father Taz, who interfered to neutralize interference from Jericho's allies Bryan Keith and Big Bill.[32] This victory marked Hook's return to the top of the title's lineage after Jericho had captured it from him earlier in the year. On the September 25, 2024, episode of AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City, Hook defended the title against Roderick Strong in an FTW Rules match, securing the victory via submission with his signature Redrum maneuver.[33] Immediately following the match, Hook announced his retirement of the championship, handing the belt back to Taz in an emotional ceremony that brought the ECW original to tears, symbolizing the end of the title's run in AEW.[8] This decision aligned with Hook's expressed desire to pursue opportunities beyond the FTW legacy, while allowing AEW to streamline its championship roster amid criticisms of overcrowding.[34] The retirement concluded Hook's third reign at 31 days and marked the definitive deactivation of the FTW Championship, with no further defenses or reactivations as of November 2025.[35] Throughout its AEW tenure from 2020 to 2024, the title featured approximately 25 defenses, playing a key role in elevating midcard talents like Hook through high-profile unsanctioned bouts that showcased hardcore wrestling elements.[9] Taz's on-air reflections emphasized the closure as a fitting tribute to the championship's rebellious origins, ensuring its legacy as a bridge between ECW's extreme style and modern promotions.[8]

Concept and rules

Origin of the FTW moniker

The FTW moniker originated in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in 1998, when Taz created the championship as a defiant response to being overlooked for a world title shot by then-ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas. Taz intended "FTW" to stand for "Fuck The World," embodying a raw, anti-establishment attitude that challenged the mainstream wrestling hierarchy and celebrated underdog fighters. This rebellious expansion was central to Taz's persona as the "Human Suplex Machine," positioning the title as a symbol of unfiltered toughness and self-determination outside official sanction.[36] Taz's personal philosophy behind the FTW name emphasized representing blue-collar wrestlers and fans who felt ignored by the industry, a theme he highlighted in fiery 1998 promos where he declared himself the true world champion for those "fighting the world" daily. The acronym captured his ethos of no-excuses combat, drawing from his background as a submission specialist who dismantled larger opponents through sheer grit and innovation. This concept resonated deeply in ECW's hardcore environment, where the title served as Taz's platform to demand respect on his terms.[5] Upon its revival in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2020, the FTW moniker retained its original "Fuck The World" meaning, with Taz reintroducing it through Team Taz—a stable he led featuring wrestlers like Brian Cage and his son Hook—preserving its edgy roots. During Chris Jericho's reign in 2024, he rebranded it as "For The World" as part of his storyline gimmick, though it reverted to the original connotation when Hook regained the title.[37][38] The FTW moniker achieved lasting cultural impact in hardcore wrestling circles, evolving into a versatile catchphrase synonymous with defiance and victory. It inspired fan chants like "FTW!" during Taz's matches and later AEW events, while fueling merchandise such as T-shirts and posters that played on its provocative undertones. Beyond the ring, the phrase permeated wrestling lore as a badge of authenticity for anti-authority figures, influencing how promotions like AEW branded unsanctioned rivalries.[5]

Unsanctioned status and match stipulations

The FTW Championship operates under an unsanctioned framework, meaning it lacks official endorsement from the promoting organization, which exempts matches from standard regulatory oversight and prevents disqualifications or count-outs from resulting in title losses. This status enables unrestricted violence, including the use of weapons, external interference, and extreme tactics, without referees halting contests for rule violations, thereby prioritizing raw intensity over conventional wrestling norms.[39] In its original incarnation within Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), every defense of the FTW Championship adhered to no-disqualification stipulations, aligning with the promotion's signature hardcore environment where traditional constraints like count-outs were eliminated to allow for unbridled confrontations.[2] When revived in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2020, the title introduced "FTW Rules" as its governing variant, stipulating that pinfalls or submissions could occur anywhere in or around the arena, functioning similarly to a street fight but distinctly tied to the championship's defiant branding.[39] These rules maintain the no-disqualification core while emphasizing mobility and environmental utilization, ensuring defenses embody the title's outlaw ethos.[40] Distinct from sanctioned titles that factor into wrestler rankings or mandatory defenses, the FTW Championship emphasizes hardcore prestige, positioning it as a badge of resilience defended selectively to highlight extreme prowess rather than advancing to premier divisions.[41] This approach reinforces its renegade identity across both ECW and AEW, where the belt's value derives from voluntary, high-stakes bouts unbound by promotional hierarchies.[2]

Belt designs

ECW-era design

The original FTW Championship belt, introduced in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) on May 14, 1998, was custom-made by the promotion's production team as a modified version of the ECW Television Championship to convey a midcard status, intentionally smaller in scale than the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.[1] It featured an orange leather strap paired with gold plates in a metallic finish, adopting a Winged Eagle design reminiscent of WWE aesthetics but adapted for ECW's hardcore style.[42] Prominent "FTW" lettering was centered on the main plate via stickers over the existing TV title labels to quickly rebrand it for the unsanctioned concept.[1] A few months later, the belt was updated to a second design with a black leather strap and gold and orange-themed plates engraved with a "TAZ" logo, which was presented to emphasize Taz's dominance.[1] These changes preserved the core elements—such as the Winged Eagle motif—without major redesigns, emphasizing portability and thematic alignment with ECW's gritty presentation over elaborate ornamentation.[42] Photographs and replicas of the ECW-era FTW belt remain prominent in wrestling memorabilia collections, often showcased in ECW retrospectives and fan archives, highlighting its role as a symbol of the promotion's rebellious spirit during its 1998–1999 run.[1]

AEW-era design

Upon its revival in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2020, the FTW Championship used the second ECW design, featuring a black leather strap paired with orange-accented bronze plates and an engraved "TAZ" logo on the center plate, retaining its hardcore roots without a full redesign.[37] During the Team Taz faction's dominance in the early 2020s, the belt was presented as a dynamic prop to reinforce the group's narrative of defiance against AEW's official championships.[1] As the title transitioned through various holders, particularly during Hook's extended reigns from 2022 to 2024, it remained consistent until Chris Jericho added a temporary name decal during his brief reign in April 2024. These minor adjustments ensured the belt remained visually distinctive, contributing to its cult following in AEW.[43] The FTW Championship belt was officially retired alongside Hook in September 2024 following his final defense, marking the end of its active use in AEW. It now serves as a preserved artifact, occasionally referenced in promotional materials to honor its legacy as one of the promotion's most unconventional titles.[44]

Reigns

Title name variations

The FTW Championship, originally established in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), was formally designated as the FTW Heavyweight Championship during its initial run from 1998 to 1999, a nomenclature chosen to underscore its prestige as an unsanctioned counterpart to the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.[2] This full title appeared in official records and match announcements, reflecting ECW's tradition of emphasizing "Heavyweight" for top-division accolades to elevate the belt's status amid the promotion's hardcore ethos.[45] However, in live promos and casual references, it was frequently shortened to simply the FTW Championship to emphasize its defiant, anti-establishment origins created by Taz.[1] Upon revival in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2020 to 2024, the title adopted the streamlined name FTW Championship as its primary official designation, aligning with AEW's branding practices that reserve "Heavyweight" for its flagship world title to maintain roster-wide consistency.[46] This variation avoided redundancy while preserving the belt's legacy appeal, though AEW graphics and promotional materials occasionally specified it as the AEW FTW Championship for contextual clarity within the promotion's multiple championships.[5] No additional formal name iterations occurred across either era, and unofficial monikers like "Taz's Title," stemming from its creator's personal attachment, were never incorporated into official documentation or promotion usage.[15]

Individual reigns by promotion

The FTW Championship has been contested in two promotions: Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) from 1998 to 1999 and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2020 to 2024, with a total of 10 individual reigns across both eras.[2][46]

ECW Reigns

#WrestlerReignDate wonEventDays heldDefensesNotes
1Taz1May 14, 1998House show in Queens, New York (self-declared)2192Taz declared himself champion after ECW officials refused to sanction a title match against then-ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas, positioning it as an unsanctioned "outlaw" belt; defenses included a submission win over Bam Bam Bigelow on August 2, 1998 (Heat Wave). Lost the title in a three-way dance via pinfall to Sabu.[1][2]
2Sabu1December 19, 1998November to Remember921Defeated Taz via pinfall in a three-way dance also involving Justin Credible, capitalizing on Taz's ongoing feud with Sabu over title legitimacy; one defense occurred during the reign. The title was unified with the ECW World Heavyweight Championship upon loss.[1][2]
3Taz2March 21, 1999Living Dangerously<10Defeated Sabu via submission in an unsanctioned unification match under FTW rules, immediately retiring the title upon victory and solidifying Taz as the undisputed ECW World Heavyweight Champion; this short reign symbolically ended the FTW's "rebel" era in ECW.[1][2]

AEW Reigns

#WrestlerReignDate wonEventDays heldDefensesNotes
1Brian Cage1July 8, 2020Fyter Fest (Night 1)3715Awarded the revived title by mentor Taz after Cage's dominant performance in the WrestleGate tournament, tying into Team Taz's heel storyline; defenses included a submission victory over Will Hobbs on October 7, 2020 (Dynamite), and a pinfall over Scorpio Sky on March 10, 2021 (Dynamite), establishing Cage as a powerhouse amid AEW's expansion; lost via pinfall to Ricky Starks after interference from Powerhouse Hobbs.[2][46]
2Ricky Starks1July 14, 2021Fyter Fest (Night 1)3783Pinned Cage after a low blow assisted by Hobbs, furthering Team Taz's internal dynamics and elevating Starks from midcard to upper-tier status; defenses featured a pinfall over Danhausen on May 25, 2022 (Dynamite) and a submission over Ethan Page on June 15, 2022 (Dynamite), with the reign highlighting Starks' charisma in AEW's competitive landscape; lost via submission to Hook.[2][46]
3Hook1July 27, 2022Fight for the Fallen3570Submitted Starks with the Redrum, extending Hook's undefeated streak to 28-0 and launching his main roster push as Taz's son; no televised defenses occurred, as the reign emphasized Hook's amateur wrestling roots and family legacy; lost via pinfall to Jack Perry after a low blow.[2][46]
4Jack Perry1July 19, 2023Blood & Guts391Pinned Hook following underhanded tactics, ending Hook's streak and tying into Perry's rebellious "Jungle Boy" evolution post-CM Punk feud; defended via pinfall against Rob Van Dam on July 29, 2023 (Collision), but attempted to retire the title with a sledgehammer on August 26, 2023 (Collision), amplifying backstage drama; lost via submission to Hook.[2][46]
5Hook2August 27, 2023All In (Zero Hour)2380Submitted Perry with Redrum, reclaiming the title and restoring its prestige amid Perry's sabotage attempt, while reinforcing Hook's resilience in AEW's international spotlight; no defenses, focusing on recovery from the short interruption; lost via pinfall to Chris Jericho in an FTW Rules match.[2][46]
6Chris Jericho1April 21, 2024Dynasty1262Pinned Hook using a baseball bat under FTW Rules, part of Jericho's "learning from Taz" mentorship angle that blurred veteran guidance and opportunism; defenses included a pinfall retention in a triple threat over Hook and Katsuyori Shibata on May 22, 2024 (Dynamite); lost via submission to Hook.[2][46]
7Hook3August 25, 2024All In310Submitted Jericho with Redrum, aided by Taz's interference against Bryan Keith, concluding the father-son storyline arc; no defenses, as the short reign built to retirement; Hook retired the title on September 25, 2024, at Grand Slam, honoring its legacy after 9 total changes across promotions.[2][46]

Combined reigns

Longest reigns

RankWrestlerReignDays held
1Ricky Starks1378
2Brian Cage1371
3Hook1357
4Taz1219
5Hook2238

Most reigns

RankWrestlerReigns
1Hook3
2Taz2
3All others1

Combined reigns

Longest reigns

The longest individual reign in FTW Championship history belongs to Ricky Starks, who defended the title for 378 days in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from July 14, 2021, to July 27, 2022, surpassing all prior holders and establishing a benchmark for the belt's modern era.[23] This duration not only highlighted Starks' resilience in high-stakes, unsanctioned matches but also elevated his profile as a rising star, contributing to his transition into main-event contention within AEW.[23] Preceding Starks was Brian Cage with a 377-day reign from July 2, 2020, to July 14, 2021, which itself broke the original record set during the Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) period.[2] In ECW, Taz's inaugural reign lasted 219 days from May 14, 1998, to December 19, 1998, during which he defended the self-proclaimed title against top competitors, cementing its status as a symbol of defiance against sanctioning bodies and integral to his dominant "Human Suplex Machine" persona.
RankWrestlerPromotionReign Length (Days)Dates
1Ricky StarksAEW378July 14, 2021 – July 27, 2022[23]
2Brian CageAEW377July 2, 2020 – July 14, 2021[2]
3HookAEW357July 27, 2022 – July 19, 2023
The FTW Championship's history also features notable short reigns that underscore its volatile, high-risk nature, such as Jack Perry's 39-day tenure in AEW from July 19, 2023, to August 27, 2023, which ended abruptly and exemplified the title's penchant for rapid turnovers in intense, no-rules environments.[47] Reign durations are determined by the interval between the date of victory and the subsequent loss, excluding instances of voluntary retirement or unification without defeat.[46]

Most reigns

Hook holds the record for the most reigns as FTW Champion with three during the title's tenure in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). His first reign began on July 27, 2022, when he defeated Ricky Starks on AEW Dynamite, marking the youngest champion in the title's history at age 22.[2] Hook's second reign started on August 27, 2023, after defeating Jack Perry at All In, and his third came on August 25, 2024, by beating Chris Jericho at All In Wembley, solidifying his status as the face of the championship's modern era.[2] These reigns highlighted Hook's undefeated streak in singles competition early in his career and his connection to the title's creator, Taz, his father.[7] Taz, the inaugural champion, is the only other wrestler with multiple reigns, holding the title twice during its original run in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) from 1998 to 1999. His first reign commenced on May 14, 1998, when he declared himself champion amid frustration over not receiving a world title shot, and lasted until December 19, 1998, when he lost to Sabu.[37] Taz regained the title on March 21, 1999, at Living Dangerously by defeating Sabu in a unification match with the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, after which the FTW title was deactivated.[37] Notably, Taz did not hold the title during its AEW revival, instead awarding it to Brian Cage in 2020.[37] All other FTW Champions—Sabu, Brian Cage, Ricky Starks, Jack Perry, and Chris Jericho—held the title for a single reign each, spanning both the ECW and AEW eras.[2] This distribution underscores the title's sporadic defenses and its status as an "unsanctioned" belt, which limited opportunities for repeat victories compared to more traditional championships. The FTW Championship was officially retired by Hook on September 25, 2024, following a defense against Roderick Strong at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam, ending its 26-year history without altering the record for most reigns.[7][8]
WrestlerNumber of ReignsEras
Hook3AEW (2022–2024)
Taz2ECW (1998–1999)

References

  1. FTW Championship: Surprising History of an Outlaw Title
  2. FTW Championship | ECW Title History - The SmackDown Hotel
  3. ECW FTW Heavyweight Championship
  4. AEW: What you need to know about the FTW Championship
  5. The Strange And Unique History Of The FTW Title
  6. List of All AEW FTW Champions - Chase Your Sport
  7. FTW Title Retired By HOOK - Cultaholic Wrestling
  8. HOOK retires the FTW championship at AEW Grand Slam
  9. AEW Retires Legacy Championship at Dynamite Grand Slam
  10. Taz - Online World of Wrestling
  11. https://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1998c.html
  12. ECW Heat Wave 1998 | Match Card & Results
  13. ECW Hardcore TV 8/12/1998 - Wrestling Recaps
  14. Watch ECW Hardcore TV Season 6, Episode 38: September 19, 1998
  15. The History of ECW's FTW World Heavyweight Championship
  16. Career Highlights – Official Website of Sabu – Wrestler – WWE – ECW
  17. https://cagesideseats.com/2020/7/9/21319422/aew-ftw-championship-title-taz-brian-cage
  18. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/brian-cage-awarded-ftw-championship-taz-aew-fyter-fest
  19. AEW's Tony Khan Explains Why Taz Brought Back the FTW ...
  20. Taz Resurrects FTW Championship For Brian Cage in AEW
  21. Ranking Every FTW Wrestling Champion Ever From Worst To Best
  22. Ricky Starks Wins FTW Championship At AEW Fyter Fest
  23. Ricky Starks & Jay Lethal Lay It All On the Line for the FTW ...
  24. Hook Wins FTW Championship on Dynamite; AEW Introduces Trios ...
  25. Jack Perry hands HOOK his first loss, wins FTW Championship
  26. RVD makes AEW debut on Dynamite on TSN2
  27. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/hook-recaptures-ftw-title-jack-perry-aew-all-zero-hour
  28. Chris Jericho Beats Hook to Win FTW Title at AEW Dynasty 2024
  29. HOOK becomes three-time FTW Champion at AEW All In; Taz puts ...
  30. Hook Defeats Chris Jericho, Wins FTW Title at AEW All in 2024 After ...
  31. HOOK Retires FTW Title After AEW Dynamite Defense
  32. HOOK Defeats Chris Jericho, Regains FTW Title At AEW All In (With ...
  33. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/hook-retires-ftw-championship-after-defeating-roderick-strong-aew-dynamite-grand-slam
  34. Bully Ray Explains Why He's Glad AEW Star Hook Retired The FTW ...
  35. Iconic AEW Championship Retired On Dynamite Grand Slam 2024
  36. FTW: Wrestling's History of Unsanctioned Championships, Explained
  37. AEW: The History Behind Taz's FTW Title, Explained - TheSportster
  38. Hook Wins FTW Title with Taz's Help at AEW All In 2024
  39. Taz Explains Origins Behind FTW Championship, What "FTW Rules ...
  40. AEW Grand Slam 2024 preview and predictions - FanSided
  41. Tony Khan Defends FTW Championship Over "Joke" Allegations
  42. ECW: Every Championship Belt Design, Ranked - TheSportster
  43. Every AEW Championship Design, Ranked From Worst To Best
  44. Taz sends a big message to six former champions after the FTW title ...
  45. FTW World Heavyweight Championship - Pro Wrestling | Fandom
  46. FTW Championship | Current FTW Champion - Sportskeeda
  47. Longest Championship Reigns In ECW History - TheSportster
  48. FTW World Heavyweight Championship/Champion history
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