With all due respect to Lou Thesz, Terry Funk, Harley Race, Ric Flair and all the other greats who have held it, I can't help but think the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World Heavyweight Championship is the ugliest belt in professional wrestling.

Yes, even uglier than the WWE Divas title.

For such a grand championship with such an illustrious history, it looks tiny, dull and appears to have credit cards lining the straps.

Regardless, TNA and the NWA entered into an agreement in 2002 when the Orlando company opened its door to use the belt in the fledgling promotion. Presumably it was to lend some credence to TNA while putting the NWA title back in the national spotlight.

Five years later on this date, the NWA severed the relationship with TNA and would go on to hold a tournament to crown a new champion.

Yeah, because that's never backfired on them before.

Check out the announcement video after the jump.