Tony Khan’s championship collection might be bigger than fans realize. While All Elite Wrestling continues adding fresh talent to its growing roster, multiple title belts remain locked away from television, waiting for their moment to shine.
Wrestling insider Mark O’Brien from Bodyslam.net has revealed that AEW brass commissioned not one, but two complete championship sets that have never seen airtime. These forgotten titles represent missed opportunities in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
The Inter-Generational Championship Concept
The most intriguing of these shelved titles carries the name “AEW Inter-Generational Tag Team Championships.” These specialized belts were designed specifically for father-son tandems, tapping into wrestling’s rich tradition of family legacies.
Several high-profile duos were reportedly earmarked for this unique division. The list included Christian Cage partnering with his on-screen “son” Nick Wayne, plus the unlikely pairing of Billy “Daddy Ass” Gunn with Anthony Bowens from The Acclaimed.
Even members of the disbanded Jurassic Express were considered for these championships, though the specific combinations remain unclear.
Real Family Ties in the Mix
AEW’s plans extended beyond storyline relationships to include legitimate father-son wrestling pairs. The legendary Ricky Morton was set to team with his son Kerry Morton, bringing authentic family dynamics to the championship picture.
The Von Erich wrestling dynasty also factored into these plans. Kevin Von Erich, son of the late Fritz Von Erich, would have partnered with either Marshall or Ross Von Erich to represent the family’s storied Texas wrestling heritage.
Scrapped Storyline Revelations
Creative originally mapped out a compelling inaugural storyline for these championships. The plan called for Christian Cage and Nick Wayne to face The Hurt Syndicate in what would have been the division’s first title match.
The twist? This match was designed to trigger a family betrayal between Cage and Wayne, adding emotional stakes to the championship debut. Instead, both wrestlers have moved in different directions entirely.
Wayne currently holds the ROH World Television Championship, establishing himself as a singles competitor. Meanwhile, The Hurt Syndicate’s Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin captured the standard AEW World Tag Team Championships, reaching the company’s top tag team prize.
Women’s Division Left Waiting
The women’s roster faces a similar situation with their own set of unused championships. AEW reportedly created Women’s Tag Team Championships around the same timeframe as the Inter-Generational belts, approximately one year ago.
This division has vocal supporters within the locker room pushing for tag team recognition. Nyla Rose stands among the most prominent advocates for women’s tag championships, though her efforts haven’t resulted in television time for the titles.
The women’s tag team concept makes practical sense given AEW’s expanded female roster and the success of similar championships in other promotions.
Championship Limbo Continues
Neither championship set has received any indication of future television plans. AEW maintains its focus on existing titles while these specialized belts remain in storage.
The company’s reluctance to introduce additional championships might stem from concerns about diluting their current title scene or simply waiting for the right creative moment to debut them.
With AEW’s roster continuing to grow and storylines constantly evolving, will these forgotten championships eventually find their way to television, or are they destined to remain wrestling’s most expensive paperweights?
