WWE has two different world titles: the WWE Championship on SmackDown and the Universal Championship on SmackDown. The Universal Championship was established back in 2016, but the WWE Championship has a lineage which dates back decades. Kofi Kingston made history by becoming the 51st WWE Champion during WrestleMania 35 earlier this month. For those who may not remember the other 50 men who have held the prestigious title, WWE has posted a video onto their YouTube channel showing every WWE Champion ever in order. It all starts with Buddy Rogers winning the title in 1963, covers the reigns of Sammartino, Hogan, Austin, Cena, and others before concluding with Kingston as the current world champion.
During the weekend of WrestleMania 35, Matt Taven surprised fans when he managed to win the ROH World Championship at the G1 Supercard. Taven emerged victorious in a Triple Threat match against Marty Scurll and former champion Jay Lethal to win the title for the first time in his long run with Ring of Honor. While speaking on the WINCLY podcast, Taven decided to address the fans who were disappointed to see him become champion. According to the new champion, he is glad that he has received a negative reaction and he still considers his title win to be an important moment in his career. Taven is now set to put his title on the line against PCO of Villain Enterprises during ROH’s War of the Worlds tour.
“All my life I’ve wanted to wrestle in MSG, and here I am not only looking up at that historic feeling, but winning the ROH World Championship. Having ‘FU Taven’ echo through the halls of MSG – I really couldn’t ask for a better moment in my mind to hold onto forever.” Taven said.
It appears that Jeff Hardy may be dealing with an injury at the moment. This is why he and Matt Hardy did not appear on SmackDown this past Tuesday night despite being the current Tag Team Champions for the brand. In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Hardy injured his right knee, which has been giving him issues ever since he injured it in a dirt bike accident in 2015. His PCL has been torn ever since then but he had continued to work through the injury. The belief is that Hardy is set to undergo surgery after SmackDown next week. Hardy was seen limping around before the injury was reported, but officials reportedly say that he injury is hopefully not too serious. Expect to see more on Hardy’s injury within the next few days.