WWE SmackDown has been home to some of the most prestigious championships in professional wrestling. These titles have defined generations of wrestlers, showcasing their skills, dedication, and dominance in the ring. In this article, we will explore three of SmackDown’s most significant championships: the WWE Universal Championship, the WWE Tag Team Championships, and the Intercontinental Championship.
WWE Universal Championship
The WWE Universal Championship is one of the most coveted titles in SmackDown history. Introduced on August 21, 2016, at SummerSlam, it was created as a counterpart to the WWE Championship when the brand split returned. Initially exclusive to Raw, the title moved to SmackDown in 2019 after Bray Wyatt, as The Fiend, captured it.
Some of the most dominant champions in history have held this title, including Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins. However, it was Roman Reigns who truly cemented the title’s legacy by holding it for over 1,200 days, unifying it with the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 38. This historic reign established Reigns as the undisputed top star of the company.
The Universal Championship has been defended in some of the most brutal matches, from Hell in a Cell to Last Man Standing bouts. Its significance continues to grow, with each champion striving to etch their name in WWE history.
Learn more about the WWE Championship here
WWE Tag Team Championships
The WWE Tag Team Championships on SmackDown have evolved through multiple iterations. Initially introduced as the WWE Tag Team Championship in 2002, the titles later merged with the World Tag Team Championship before being replaced by the SmackDown Tag Team Championships in 2016.
Some of the greatest tag teams in WWE history have held these prestigious titles, including The Usos, The New Day, and The Hardy Boyz. Among them, The Usos made history by becoming the longest-reigning tag team champions, holding the titles for over 600 days before losing them to Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 39.
The importance of tag team wrestling in WWE cannot be understated. The SmackDown Tag Team Championships have been defended in TLC matches, Steel Cage matches, and high-profile WrestleMania showdowns, cementing their status as one of the most prestigious tag team prizes in professional wrestling.
In 2023, WWE introduced the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships, merging the Raw and SmackDown titles into one unified championship. This decision further raised the stakes in the tag team division, ensuring that only the best of the best could lay claim to the coveted gold.
Check out the history of WWE’s greatest tag teams here
Intercontinental Championship
The Intercontinental Championship is one of the most historic and respected titles in WWE, often referred to as the “workhorse championship.” Introduced in 1979, it has been held by some of the greatest technical wrestlers, including Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, and Randy Savage.
Over the years, the Intercontinental Championship has been a launching pad for future WWE legends. The Miz, Dolph Ziggler, and Gunther have elevated the title with record-setting reigns and classic matches. Gunther, in particular, made history by holding the title for over 600 days, surpassing the legendary Honky Tonk Man to become the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time.
The championship has been contested in some of WWE’s most iconic matches, including Ladder Matches at WrestleMania, No Holds Barred fights, and thrilling Triple Threat encounters. Many believe that winning the Intercontinental Championship is the first step toward superstardom, as it has often been held by future WWE Champions.
Even today, the title remains a major focus on SmackDown, with each champion striving to bring prestige to one of WWE’s most legendary prizes.
