This week’s explosive episode of AEW Dynamite saw the unveiling of a new TNT Championship belt after the inaugural design was retired in memory of the late Brodie Lee.
During All Elite Wrestling’s incredibly emotional Brodie Lee Tribute Show, Tony Khan would crown Brodie Lee Jr TNT Champion “for life” with later confirmation coming that a new belt would be created for Darby Allin.
Allin, who is the third man to hold the title after the late Brodie Lee and Cody Rhodes, defends the TNT tile next week at New Year’s Smash Night 2 against “The Machine” Brian Cage.
"We all know how this ends. So let's get to the fun part" – TNT Champion @DarbyAllin
WATCH #AEWDynamite NOW on @TNTDrama. pic.twitter.com/kzq1owFB39— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 7, 2021
On the AEW Dynamite post-show last week, Tony Schiavone clarified the status of the title, stating that it was indeed the real title given to Brodie Lee Jr, not a replica. Schiavone revealed that the original design has been retired, and that a new one is being worked on for champion Darby Allin.
“Little Brodie, -1 if you will, is always going to have that TNT belt. We’ll come up with a new belt. That’ll be his. The particular belt that was given to little Brodie tonight has been retired, not the TNT Championship itself. That is not the case. The belt was, and rightfully so. Again, the TNT Championship will go on. The belt has been retired. A new belt is being made, it will be given to Darby, of course, who is still our TNT Champion.”
You can re-live all of the happenings from this week’s AEW Dynamite here.