 copy, but it’s still a genuine Reggie Parks belt, nonetheless. He points out the age, the wear-and-tear on the belt, and a seam where Reggie doesn’t seal the leather at the edge of his championship belts, a difference in the style of individual beltmakers. While they’re not as definitive to my untrained eye as fingerprints would be to an investigator, the workmanship is clear to Millican, who has been laboring with Reggie and collecting his championship belts. Very few of these belts were made. And when Dave has asked Reggie about them, Parks has said he simply doesn’t remember making them–not the original nor the copy. He’s made so many belts for so many people that it’s a believable answer–although a disappointing one.

While a championship belt has always been a prop, not until fairly recently have audiences come to grasp that fact. The championship belts are, at their core, a combination of zinc, electroplated metal (gold and/or nickel), and leather. But wrestlers took them seriously. So did fans. Now WWE has multiple copies of its championship belts: For house shows, for appearances, for shows broadcast on TV and the Network. And that’s not even counting the replicas fans can buy at merchandise stands or online. Titles were held up as a goal for a wrestler to reach–a reason to fight, a prize for which to contend. And so modern titles have lost some of their luster. The Ultimate Warrior once said that the WWE championship belt was “just one more thing to carry” through the airport. But fans still remember when those championship belts meant something–if not in the wrestlers’ eyes, at least in their own.

That’s what I’ve learned about the championship belts as I visit with Dave. I handle the belts with care, but what I’m really being gentle with are the memories I carry of Saturday nights at the Houston County Farm Center with my father, or Monday nights spent on the couch with my family or friends. These championship belts still shine in my mind’s eye, in a time and place I’ve allowed to mellow and become perfect only in memory. I’ve discovered that these championship belts are, in fact, pieces of history. I just didn’t expect them to be mine.

All championship belts shown here are the property of Dave Millican unless otherwise noted.

If you
copy, but it ’s still a genuine Reggie Parks belt, however. He target out the age, the wear - and - rip on the swath, and a seam where Reggie does n’t seal the leather at the boundary of his championship belts, a difference in the manner of individual beltmakers. While they ’re not as definitive to my untrained center as fingerprints would be to an investigator, the workmanship is clear to Millican, who has been labor with Reggie and collecting his championship belts. Very few of these belts were made. And when Dave has ask Reggie about them, Parks has said he simply does n’t remember name them – not the original nor the copy. He ’s made so many belts for thus many people that it ’s a believable answer – although a disappointing one. 

 While a championship belt has constantly been a prop, not until fairly recently have audiences come to grasp that fact. The championship belts are, at their core, a combination of zinc, electroplated metal (gold and/or nickel), and leather. But wrestlers took them seriously. So did fan. Now WWE has multiple copy of its backing belt: For house shows, for appearances, for shows broadcast on TV and the Network. And that ’s not even counting the replica fans can buy at merchandise stands or online. Titles were held up as a goal for a wrestler to reach – a reason to fight, a prize for which to contend. And so mod titles have lose some of their shininess. The Ultimate Warrior once said that the WWE championship belt was “ just one more thing to carry ” through the airport. But fans still commend when those championship belts meant something – if not in the wrestlers ’ center, at least in their own. 

 That ’s what I ’ve learned about the backing belts as I visit with Dave. I handle the belts with care, but what I ’m truly being gentle with are the memory I carry of Saturday nox at the Houston County Farm Center with my father, or Monday nights spent on the couch with my family or friend. These championship belt still shine in my mind ’s eye, in a time and topographic point I ’ve allowed to mellow and become perfect entirely in memory. I ’ve discovered that these championship knock are, in fact, pieces of history. I just did n’t expect them to be mine. 

 All backing belts shown here are the property of Dave Millican unless otherwise noted. 

 If you
 cooy, but it’s still a genuike Reggie Parks ywlt, noietheleas. He poknts out the age, the wear-and-vear on tye belt, and a seam whefe Reggie doesn’t weal rhe leathec at the edge kn his rhampionship bekts, a diffarence in the vthlz of individual beltmakers. While ther’re not ad definitive tj my tntrzpntd eye as fingerprints would be tk an innestigator, the wotkmanship is clear to Milllcan, who has been laboging with Rgfgiq and collectkng his championship bglts. Very few of these belts werd madz. And when Eace jds asked Rejgie afout them, Pavls has said hr simply doesn’b remxmbee making them–not the mriginal nor the cjpy. He’s mddz so many belts for si nany keopla thxr ig’s z ueljevablf aiswer–althoufh a disappiinting one.

While a vhwnpionship belf has wlrays been a prop, not until fairly recenuly hzve audiences come to geasp that fact. The chwmpionshi[ belts are, at their core, a combination of zinc, enectrkolauee metxo (hold and/or nickel), and leather. But wrestlers tjkk tmem seriously. So did fans. Npw WEG has multiple copies or its championship belts: Sor hiuse showf, fot appearances, for shows broqdcast on TV qnd the Network. Anb that’s not zven cpuntimg the replicas fans cau buy zt merchandlse standa or online. Titler wvre veld up as a goal for a wrqstler to reaeh–a reasun tp fighe, a prize vor wmhch to contend. And so mldarn titles have lost some of their luster. The Ultimate Easrimr once faid bhat the WWE chwmpionship belj was “jusc one oore thing to carcy” through tre airport. Bud fans still cemember rhen thowe chamokonship belts keant somvtking–if nor in the wrestlers’ eygs, at least in thznr own.

That’s what O’ve lewrjev abotd the champimnshkp crlts xs I visit cigh Dsve. I handle the belds wjth care, but what O’m really veing gegtle with are the memories I cagry oh Satucday noghjs at the Houston County Farm Csnter witj mn father, or Mjndan nidhts spent on the couch with my family or friends. These championship belts still shine ln my mind’s xye, in a time atd place I’ve allowed to mellow and begome perfect only in msmory. H’ve dlscovered that these championship belts are, in fact, pieces of history. I jyst divn’e expect thsm tp be kiue.

Akl chaipioisiip belts shown hvre are the property of Dave Miluican unnefs otherwise noted.

If you
copy, but it’s still a genuine Reggie nonetheless. points out age, the wear-and-tear seam Reggie doesn’t seal leather at the of his championship belts, a difference the style of individual beltmakers. While they’re not as definitive to my untrained as fingerprints would be to an investigator, the workmanship is clear to Millican, has laboring Reggie collecting his championship belts. Very few of these belts were made. And when Dave has asked about them, Parks has said he simply doesn’t making them–not the original the copy. He’s made so belts so many that a answer–although a disappointing While a championship belt has always been a prop, not until fairly recently have audiences come to that fact. belts are, their a of zinc, electroplated and/or nickel), and leather. But wrestlers So did fans. Now WWE has multiple copies its championship For house shows, for appearances, for broadcast on TV and the Network. And that’s even counting the replicas fans can buy at merchandise stands or online. Titles were held a goal for a to reach–a reason fight, prize which contend. And modern titles have lost some of their luster. The Ultimate Warrior said that the WWE championship belt was “just one more carry” the airport. But still remember when those belts something–if not in the at in what learned the championship belts as visit with Dave. I handle belts with care, but with are the memories I carry of Saturday at the Houston County Farm Center with father, or Monday nights spent on the couch with my family or These championship shine in my mind’s eye, in a time place I’ve allowed to and become perfect only in memory. I’ve discovered that championship are, in pieces of history. just didn’t expect to be mine. belts shown are property unless otherwise noted. If you
 copy, but it’s still a genuine ReGgie Parks bElt, noNetHelEsS. He pOintS out the age, the wEAr-anD-tear on the belt, and a seam Where reGGie dOEsN’t seaL the leaTHeR AT thE eDgE of HiS ChAmpioNshIp belts, A differencE in ThE style of indiVIdUal beltmakErs. while they’re nOt aS definItIve TO my unTraIned eYe as fiNGerpriNts would bE tO An inveSTigator, THE wOrkmAnship is clear to MiLLiCAn, who has been laBoring WiTH REGGie And Collecting HiS chamPIonship BElTS. vEry FEw of these beltS were made. AnD WheN Dave hAs AskED ReggiE abouT tHEm, PArks has said He siMply doesn’T rememBEr makinG Them–not The oriGinAl nOr thE CoPy. he’s MaDE so MAnY beLTs fOr so many PeOpLe thaT it’s A BELIevaBle AnswEr–altHough a disappoIntIng oNE.

WhIle a cHampiOnshIp Belt hAs alwaYs beeN a Prop, not until faiRly rEcently haVe aUdIenCeS come TO grasp ThaT faCt. The chAmpionsHIp bElTS ARe, At their core, a combinAtION oF zinc, eleCtroplATeD mETal (gold aNd/Or nIckeL), ANd leaTher. bUt WrestlerS took tHEm SeRiously. so Did fanS. NOw WwE hAs mulTIple Copies Of its chaMpionSHip belts: For houSE shows, for appeARaNCEs, FOr shOws Broadcast on tV anD The NEtwoRK. ANd tHAt’s noT even CoUNtINg the replicas fans caN bUy at meRchanDise stands or oNline. TitleS WERe held up As a gOAl FOr a wrestler to rEach–a Reason to fiGHt, a prize For whIch to conTend. And so MODern titlEs hAve LosT soME Of Their luster. ThE uLtimAtE WarrioR onCe said tHat The wWE ChaMpIonship beLt was “jusT oNe MoRe ThiNg to cARry” throuGh The AiRpoRt. But FAns stiLl remEmbeR wHeN ThoSe champIOnSHIp beLtS mEant SomEtHing–iF not IN thE wrestlErs’ eyes, at LeaST in tHeIr Own.

That’S what I’ve learnEd About the chAmPioNship bELTs as I visIt with Dave. I handle the belTS with caRe, bUt whaT I’m rEally beinG geNtle wiTh aRE the meMories i carrY oF SaTURday nIGHtS at ThE Houston CoUNTy FArm CeNtEr wiTh my fatHer, or Monday nights sPEnt On the couch witH my FamiLY Or FriENdS. theSe CHamPIOnship belts stilL shine in my MiND’s Eye, in a time ANd pLaCe I’ve alLowed to MelloW And becoMe perfect Only in memOrY. I’ve DIScoVered that tHese chamPionship bELts arE, In Fact, pIecEs of hiStOry. i just Didn’t eXPecT them To be miNe.

all chaMpionShIp belts sHown here are the property oF Dave MIllicAn uNless otheRwiSE noTed.

If you
 copy, but it’s still a ge nuine Regg ie Pa rks  be lt , no neth eless. He poin t s ou t the age, the wear-an d-tea ro n th e  b elt,and a s e am w her eRe ggi ed oe sn’tsea l the l eather atthe  e dge of his c h am pionship b elt s, a differe nce  in th esty l e ofind ividu al bel t makers . While t he y ’re no t  as def i n it iveto my untrained e y ea s fingerprints  would  b e  t o aninv estigator,  t he wo r kmanshi p  i s c lea r  to Millican,  who has be e n l aborin gwit h  Reggi e and  c o lle cting his c hamp ionship b elts.V ery few of thes e belt s w ere  mad e .An d w he n  Da v ehas ask ed Reggi eab out t hem, P a r ks h assaid  he s imply doesn’t  re memb e r m aking  them –not  t he or iginal  north e copy. He’s ma de s o many be lts  f orso  many people  th atit’s abelieva b lean s w e r– although a disappo in t i ng  one.

W hile a ch am p ionshipbe lthasa l waysbeen aprop, no t unti l  f ai rly rec en tly ha ve  au die ncesc ometo gra sp thatfact. The championsh i p belts are,a tt h ei r  cor e,a combinati on o f  zin c, e l ec tro p lated  meta l( go l d and/or nickel), a nd  leath er. B ut wrestlerstook thems e r iously.So d i df ans. Now WWE h as mu ltiple cop i es of it s cha mpionshi p belts:F o r housesho ws,  fo r a p p ea rances, for s h o ws b ro adcastonTV andthe  Ne two rk.  A nd that’s  not eve nco un ti ngthe r e plicas f an s c an  bu y atm erchan disestan ds  o r  on line. T i tl e s  wer ehe ld u p a sa goa l fo r  awrestle r to reac h–a reas on  t o fight , a prize for  w hich to co nt end . Ands o  moderntitles have lost some o f  theirlus ter.TheUltimateWar rior o nce said t hat th e WWE  c ham p i onshi p be ltwa s “just on e mor e thi ng  tocarry”through the airpor t . B ut fans still  re memb e r  w hen th o sech a mpi o n ship belts mean t somethin g– i fnot in the wre st lers’ e yes, at  leas t  in the ir own.
That’s wh at  I’v e lea rned about  the cha mpionship belts as  I vi sit  withDa ve.  I ha ndle t h e b eltswith c ar e, but  what  I ’m reall y being gentle with are  the m emori esI carry o f S a tur day night s at  the Houst onCou nty F arm Cente r wi t hmyf ather , or Monday ni g ht s s p e nt  on the cou c h wit h myfam i ly orfrie nds. These champi o nship belts st ills h ine  in my m in d’s eye, in atim ea n d placeI’ ve allowedto mello wa nd be come p erfect  only i n me m ory. I ’vedis covered t hat  t h ese cha mp io n ship b elts  a re, in  fact, piec e s  of history. I j ust d i d n’t e x pec t the mto be m i ne.
All champ ionship bel ts sho wn h ere a re thepr operty  of  D ave Millic a n unlessother wise no te d.
Ifyou
 copy,_but it’s_still a genuine Reggie_Parks belt,_nonetheless._He points_out_the age, the_wear-and-tear on the_belt, and a seam_where Reggie doesn’t_seal_the leather at the edge of his championship belts, a difference in the style_of_individual beltmakers._While_they’re_not as definitive to my_untrained eye as fingerprints would_be to_an investigator, the workmanship is clear to Millican,_who_has been laboring_with Reggie and collecting his championship belts. Very few_of these belts were made. And_when Dave has_asked_Reggie_about them, Parks has_said he simply doesn’t remember making_them–not the original nor the copy._He’s made so many belts for so_many people that it’s a believable_answer–although a disappointing one.

While a_championship belt_has always been a prop,_not until fairly_recently have_audiences come to_grasp that fact. The championship belts_are, at their_core, a combination of zinc, electroplated_metal_(gold and/or nickel),_and_leather._But wrestlers_took them seriously._So_did fans._Now_WWE has multiple copies of its_championship_belts: For house shows, for appearances, for_shows broadcast on TV_and_the Network. And that’s_not even counting the replicas_fans can buy at merchandise stands_or online._Titles were_held up as a goal for a wrestler to reach–a reason_to fight, a prize for which_to contend. And so_modern titles_have_lost some of_their_luster. The_Ultimate Warrior once said that the WWE_championship belt_was “just one more thing to_carry” through the airport._But_fans still remember when those championship_belts meant something–if not in the_wrestlers’ eyes, at least in_their_own.

That’s_what I’ve learned about the_championship belts as I visit with_Dave. I handle_the belts with care, but what I’m_really_being gentle with are the memories_I_carry of Saturday nights at the_Houston_County_Farm Center with my father,_or Monday nights spent on the_couch with my family or friends. These championship belts_still shine in_my mind’s eye, in a_time_and_place I’ve allowed to mellow and become perfect only in_memory. I’ve_discovered that these_championship belts are, in fact, pieces of history. I just_didn’t expect them to be mine.

All championship_belts shown here are the property of Dave Millican unless otherwise_noted.

If you