In the United States, ESPN has announced the introduction of new championship belts that will be awarded during WWE's SummerSlam 2026 event, taking place in Minneapolis on August 1 and 2. These belts are not traditional championships but are designed as trophies for the best 'moment of the night' during each evening of the event. This means that two of these moment-of-the-night belts will be awarded, one for each night of SummerSlam. The belts feature a striking design with gold, red, and black colors, prominently displaying the ESPN logo alongside WWE's logo. Additionally, the side straps include an ESPN logo for 'SportsCenter' with the letters 'SC'.
The decision to create these belts has sparked mixed reactions among fans, with some expressing frustration over the collaboration between ESPN and WWE. Critics have voiced concerns that these awards may detract from the traditional championship titles that WWE wrestlers compete for, suggesting that they serve more as gimmicks than legitimate accolades. The pricing for replicas of these belts has also raised eyebrows, with fans noting that they will be available for purchase on WWE Shop at a steep price of $1,499.99.
WWE, which is owned by TKO Group Holdings, has a history of creating championships associated with its various programs, including Raw and SmackDown. This often leads to confusion among fans regarding which wrestlers hold which titles. The introduction of these moment-of-the-night belts adds another layer of complexity to the championship landscape, especially considering that WWE sometimes incorporates titles from other promotions, such as Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. Notably, WWE stars Chelsea Green and Dominik Mysterio have previously held championships from both WWE and AAA, showcasing the interconnected nature of wrestling promotions.
As the event approaches, anticipation is building around the matches scheduled for SummerSlam 2026. Paul 'Triple H' Levesque has highlighted the potential for Iyo Sky and Liv Morgan's match for the Women's World Championship to be a standout moment. The second night will feature high-stakes matches, including Seth Rollins versus Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship and Penta versus Chad Gable for the Intercontinental Championship. With both nights of SummerSlam being live-streamed on the ESPN app, the moment-of-the-night belts are expected to become a significant talking point on ESPN's 'SportsCenter' and other related programs.
