Wrestling fans that have only ever watched WWE programming may not be aware of the concept of a television championship, but it remains one of the best parts of other promotions. Presented as a championship defended exclusively on television and sometimes with strict time limits, television championships are designed to help move wrestlers up the card through consistent television exposure.
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While WWE has never created one, other promotions like WCW and ECW have had very successful television championships whose previous holders read like a who's-who of professional wrestling greats. Legendary wrestlers either started their careers as television champions or gathered the title later in their careers to help keep the division alive. Ultimately, television championships have been a bright spot in the mid-card level of the wrestling industry.
11 NWA World Women's Television Championship
The revamp of the National Wrestling Alliance continues to make strides in presenting a strong women's division in the company. With plenty of female talent, they have made a commitment to showcase women's wrestling in a strong way, and their newly introduced championship is a step in that direction.
The tournament to crown the inaugural champion was introduced in February 2023 and will conclude later. Considering the first champion has yet to be crowned, only time will tell how prestigious this title becomes.
10 NJPW World Television Championship
Beginning in late 2022, New Japan Pro Wrestling celebrated the success of its NJPW World subscription service by announcing a tournament to crown the first World Television Champion in the company's history. Technical wrestling great Zack Sabre Jr. was crowned the inaugural champion in January 2023.
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Given the amount of talent that New Japan has on their roster, it is only a matter of time before this championship receives heavy notoriety. Considering how hard the company has been pushing its digital platform, this title should be consistently defended in outstanding matches.
9 TNA Television Championship
There is no denying that Impact Wrestling has always had a strong roster of wrestlers during each era of the company's history. Whether it is filled with new and upcoming talent or established legends, the company has looked very strong on paper.
Unfortunately, some creative decisions have resulted in championships losing their value. Considering the TNA Television Championship went through a total of four name changes throughout its short history, it shows just how little value this title had for the company despite how many great wrestlers held it.
8 Impact Digital Media Championship
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In order to capitalize on its social media following, Impact Wrestling created the Digital Media Championship in 2021, with most of the crowning tournament taking place exclusively on YouTube. Uniquely, this championship is also an intergender title following Jordynne Grace being crowned the first holder.
While the title is still in its infant stages, it has quickly fallen by the wayside compared to other championships. Tertiary titles rarely get attention on wrestling shows, but this one receives little mention and is often forgotten about despite Impact's strong roster.
7 NWA World Television Championship
Despite the NWA legacy and tape library being owned by WWE, the promotion has attempted to rebound under the ownership of Billy Corgan. While the company has struggled to find consistency, management is trying very hard to produce a new generation for the company.
The reboot of the NWA World Television Championship began in 2020, with AEW star Ricky Starks being crowned the inaugural champion. Unfortunately, Starks has been the most high-profile champion to date, and NWA's minimal television footprint means that this title has yet to achieve a high level of value.
6 AEW TBS Championship
Just because a championship has not changed hands multiple times does not decrease its value. In fact, a title that has been defended consistently by one wrestler could almost become more prestigious than those that experience "hot potato" title reigns.
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Rookie sensation Jade Cargill was crowned the first AEW TBS Champion in January 2022 and has yet to suffer a loss as champion. In fact, Cargill has yet to be pinned in her wrestling career and became the most dominant champion in the company's history after hitting the one-year mark as champion.
5 AEW TNT Championship
As AEW was establishing its presence as a new television product, having strong upper and mid-card divisions was incredibly important. While the company had strong matches at the top of the card, it is arguable to say that the mid-card was just as, if not more successful.
With wrestlers like Cody Rhodes, Brodie Lee and Darby Allin aggressively competing for the TNT Championship during its inception, the title quickly gained a high level of esteem. The championship remains a beacon for mid-card wrestlers and only continues to grow in prominence.
4 NWA National Television Championship
If there was one television championship which defined professional wrestling between the 1970s and '80s, it was the NWA's. With numerous champions moving on to become World Champions or legends in their own right, the title was a great stepping stone.
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Whether it was early champions like Nick Bockwinkel or later ones like Jake Roberts or The Iron Sheik, the NWA National Television Championship helped launch numerous careers. Unfortunately, the title became lost in the shuffle between Jim Crocket Promotions and Georgia Championship Wrestling, but it maintains its level of importance in wrestling history.
3 ROH World Television Championship
While it took almost a decade for Ring of Honor to get a steady television deal and create a television championship, the title was quickly held by some of the best on the independent circuit. Ring of Honor has always been known for its solid in-ring action, and this division has it in spades.
Almost half of the title's reigns belong to former Ring of Honor World Champions, which has only added to the title's importance. Whether it was ROH originals like Jay Lethal and Samoa Joe or newcomers like Dragon Lee, the championship continues to be a career-maker.
2 ECW World Television Championship
Before it became a mainstream renegade promotion, ECW planted its roots on syndicated television, which made it a well-kept secret and difficult to find. However, as the word of mouth got around about ECW, their television presence expanded and fans were treated to a new world of hardcore wrestling.
The most prolific ECW Television Champion was Rob Van Dam, who held the title for over two years leading into the company's final year of operation. The 700-day reign as champions make Van Dam the most popular wrestler in the promotion and helped elevate the championship to legendary status.
1 WCW World Television Championship
Going through the list of former WCW World Television Champions reads like a whos-who of legendary wrestlers who either made it to the top of the mountain or made incredible contributions to the wrestling business. Despite not being picked up by WWE following their purchase of WCW in 2001, the title launched many careers around the world.
With an incredible legacy of superstars like Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Steve Austin and Booker T all having incredible reigns as champions, a WCW Television title reign signalled that a wrestler was ready for the big time.
