The AEW National Championship belt has a nearly identical design to the 1984–2013 version of the NWA National Heavyweight Championship belt. On the center plate, like with the old NWA belt, there is an eagle at the top, an outline of the United States at the bottom (including Alaska and Hawaii), two lions facing inwards on the sides, a blue globe at the center between the first and second banners, and filigree in the space on the bottom left and right of the center plate. The notable differences with AEW's belt is that above the eagle has AEW's logo on a red background and the three banners, which are also red, say "National", "Wrestling", "Champion" in gold, respectively (with three gold stars on either side of the word "Wrestling"), instead of the second banner saying "Heavyweight Wrestling" like on the NWA's older belt. Additionally, the two inner side plates have AEW's logo on a red background with a gold star in each corner of the plate, instead of showing wrestlers grappling. The two outer side plates are identical to the NWA's old design with a wrestler holding up a title belt with an outline of the contingent United States behind them.[6]
Reception
The title received criticism from NWA wrestlers,[7] including reigning NWA National Heavyweight Champion Mike Mondo, as well as its inaugural holder Austin Idol, taking issue with AEW's claim that the National Championship had not existed since 1986, ignoring that the NWA reintroduced the title in 1997. AEW also claimed that their title would continue the legacy of the NWA's championship, despite AEW having no affiliation with the NWA.[8] In response to the criticism, AEW President Tony Khan spoke to NWA President Billy Corgan, and while he did not take back any statements that were made, Khan did acknowledge the existence of the NWA's championship and clarified that AEW's title would have its own separate lineage. He also praised Corgan for trying to keep the NWA's tradition going.[9]
The inaugural and current champion is Ricochet. He won the title by pinning Kevin Knight in a 12-man Casino Gauntlet match at Full Gear on November 22, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey.[10]
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