All Elite Wrestling (AEW) may be relatively new to the wrestling scene, but it carries a meaningful legacy. With a deep roster of seasoned professionals and various titles and tournaments, the company honors the rich history of wrestling.
A prime example is the FTW Championship, which originally debuted in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) over 26 years ago. However, that chapter has now officially closed.
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During AEW Dynamite All-In, Hook successfully defended the FTW Championship against Roderick Strong, marking his 11th title defense. After his match, Hook declared, “all good things must come to an end,” and decided to retire the belt.
He handed it over to Tazz—his father and the title’s creator—before sharing an emotional hug, while the audience chanted, “Thank you, Tazz!”
Tazz later took to social media to reflect on the title’s significance. “I would like to thank all of the men who have held the FTW Championship,” he wrote, expressing gratitude to fans who have supported the title over the years.
The FTW Championship was introduced by Tazz at the ECW event “It Ain’t Seinfeld” on May 14, 1998, when he claimed, “I am the world champion, and I have the proof.” Initially called the Brooklyn Title, Tazz held it for a notable 219 days before losing it to Sabu.
After years of inactivity, Tazz reinstated the title on July 2, 2020. He handed it to Brian Cage, who held it for 377 days; then Ricky Starks became the champion for 378 days—the longest reign ever. Hook captured the title on July 27, 2022, had two reigns totaling 626 days, and became a standout figure in the AEW roster.
The FTW Championship played a vital role in elevating rising stars, and now Hook seems poised for a shot at the AEW World Championship.
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