WWE Intercontinental Title belt from WrestleMania III sells for a record $716,750
Podcast host Conrad Thompson’s WWF Intercontinental Championship belt from WrestleMania III sold for $716,750 at Heritage Auctions, setting a new record for the highest price paid for a wrestling title belt. The total includes a 22% buyer’s premium, with the winning bid coming in at $587,500.
The sale surpasses the previous record of $414,800, which was set by Hulk Hogan’s 1986 WWF World Championship belt from WrestleMania 2.
Known as the “Red Letter” Intercontinental Championship, the belt was used by WWE from 1985 to 1988 and was held by four Hall of Famers: Tito Santana, Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat, and the Honky Tonk Man. Steamboat won the championship from Savage with the belt at WrestleMania III on March 29th, 1987.
Thompson had owned the belt since 2020. He previously explained that Vince McMahon wanted to honor Pat Patterson on SmackDown with a match for the original Intercontinental Championship, but WWE discovered it did not own that belt. Thompson, who owned the WrestleMania III belt, arranged to receive it in exchange.
Thompson had expressed hope that the sale would set a record. Meanwhile, Hogan’s WrestleMania I boots remain the most expensive wrestling collectible, having sold for $1,037,000 earlier this year.
Heritage Auctions described the belt as measuring 48.5 inches from end to end and 9 7/8 inches from top to bottom, with visible wear from years of use and travel.
— Conrad the Mortgage Guy (@HeyHeyItsConrad) October 25, 2026