WWE Intercontinental Championship





The WWE Intercontinental Championship is one of the oldest and most significant titles of not just WWE, but the entire wrestling industry. The title has a long history, dating back to 1979, when Pat Patterson was crowned the inaugural Intercontinental Champion. Since then, the title has been held by some of wrestling's biggest names, including The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Randy Savage.


The championship was formed by the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF) on September 1, 1979, as a result of the WWF North American Heavyweight Championship being merged with a fictitious South American Heavyweight Championship, with Pat Patterson as the inaugural champion. It is the third-oldest championship currently active in WWE, following the WWE Championship (1963) and the United States Championship (1975). Given that the United States Championship was incorporated into WWE following the WCW purchase in 2001, the Intercontinental Championship is also the second-longest tenured championship. Although it is typically contested in the middle of the card at WWE events, it has been defended in the main event of pay-per-views like WrestleMania VI, SummerSlam in 1992, the third and eighth In Your House shows, Backlash in 2001, and Extreme Rules in 2018. Also known as the 'Workhorse Championship', the title has been referred to as a test for those talents on whom WWE is looking to bestow their World Championship on in the future.


List of Champions:


NoChampionChampionship changeReign statistics
DateEventLocationReignDays
1Pat PattersonSeptember 1, 1979Rio de Janeiro, Brazil1233
2Ken PateraApril 21, 1980WWF on MSG NetworkNew York, NY1231
3Pedro MoralesDecember 8, 1980WWFNew York, NY1194
4Don MuracoJune 20, 1981WWF on PRISM NetworkPhiladelphia, PA1156
5Pedro MoralesNovember 23, 1981WWF on MSG NetworkNew York, NY2425
6Don MuracoJanuary 22, 1983WWF on MSG NetworkNew York, NY2385
7Tito SantanaFebruary 11, 1984WWFBoston, MA1226
8Greg ValentineSeptember 24, 1984Maple Leaf WrestlingLondon, ON, Canada1285
9Tito SantanaJuly 6, 1985House showBaltimore, MD2217
10Randy SavageFebruary 8, 1986WWF on NESNBoston, MA1414
11Ricky SteamboatMarch 29, 1987WrestleMania IIIPontiac, MI165
12The Honky Tonk ManJune 2, 1987Superstars of WrestlingBuffalo, NY1454
13The Ultimate WarriorAugust 29, 1988SummerSlamNew York, NY1216
14Rick RudeApril 2, 1989WrestleMania VAtlantic City, NJ1148
15The Ultimate Warrior
(Warrior relinquished the title on April 3, 1990 after winning the WWF Championship in order to focus on defending the latter.)
August 28, 1989SummerSlamEast Rutherford, NJ2218
16Mr. PerfectApril 23, 1990Superstars of WrestlingAustin, TX1126
17The Texas TornadoAugust 27, 1990SummerSlamPhiladelphia, PA184
18Mr. PerfectNovember 19, 1990Superstars of WrestlingRochester, NY2280
19Bret HartAugust 26, 1991SummerSlamNew York, NY1144
20The MountieJanuary 17, 1992House showSpringfield, MA12
21Roddy PiperJanuary 19, 1992Royal RumbleAlbany, NY177
22Bret HartApril 5, 1992WrestleMania VIIIIndianapolis, IN2146
23The British BulldogAugust 29, 1992SummerSlamLondon, England159
24Shawn MichaelsOctober 27, 1992Saturday Night's Main Event XXXITerre Haute, IN1202
25Marty JannettyMay 17, 1993RawNew York, NY120
26Shawn Michaels
(Shawn Michaels was stripped of the title on September 27, 1993 for failing to defend it within 30 days (in kayfabe). Actually, Michaels was suspended for use of steroids)
June 6, 1993House showAlbany, NY2113
27Razor RamonSeptember 27, 1993RawNew Haven, CT1198
28DieselApril 13, 1994SuperstarsRochester, NY1138
29Razor RamonAugust 29, 1994SummerSlamChicago, IL2146
30Jeff Jarrett
(A controversial finish in a match against Bob Holly led to title being vacated)
January 22, 1995Royal RumbleTampa, FL194
31Jeff JarrettApril 26, 1995Action ZoneMoline, IL223
32Razor RamonMay 19, 1995House showMontreal QC, Canada32
33Jeff JarrettMay 21, 1995House showTrois-Rivières, QC, Canada363
34Shawn MichaelsJuly 23, 1995In Your House 2: The LumberjacksNashville, TN391
35Dean DouglasOctober 22, 1995In Your House 4: Great White NorthWinnipeg, MB, Canada1<1
36Razor RamonOctober 22, 1995In Your House 4: Great White NorthWinnipeg, MB, Canada491
37Goldust
(Title was vacated when a match against Savio Vega ended in a no contest)
January 21, 1996Royal RumbleFresno, CA171
38GoldustApril 1, 1996RawSan Bernardino, CA283
39Ahmed Johnson
(Following an attack by the debuting Faarooq, Ahmed Johnson forfeited the championship)
June 23, 1996King of the RingMilwaukee, WI150
40Marc MeroSeptember 23, 1996RawHershey, PA128
41Hunter Hearst HelmsleyOctober 21, 1996RawFort Wayne, IN1115
42Rocky MaiviaFebruary 13, 1997RawLowell, MA174
43Owen HartApril 28, 1997RawOmaha, NE197
44Stone Cold Steve Austin
(Vacated due to Steve Austin suffering a neck injury)
August 3, 1997SummerSlamEast Rutherford, NJ136
45Owen HartOctober 5, 1997Badd Blood: In Your HouseSt. Louis, MO235
46Stone Cold Steve AustinNovember 9, 1997Survivor SeriesMontreal, QC, Canada229
47The RockDecember 8, 1997RawPortland, ME2265
48Triple H
(Vacated due to Injury)
August 30, 1998SummerSlamNew York, NY240
49Ken ShamrockOctober 12, 1998RawUniondale, NY1125
50Val VenisFebruary 14, 1999St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your HouseMemphis, TN129
51Road DoggMarch 15, 1999RawSan Jose, CA114
52GoldustMarch 29, 1999RawEast Rutherford, NJ314
53The GodfatherApril 12, 1999RawDetroit, MI143
54Jeff JarrettMay 25, 1999RawMoline, IL460
55EdgeJuly 24, 1999House showToronto, ON, Canada11
56Jeff JarrettJuly 25, 1999Fully LoadedBuffalo, NY52
57D'Lo BrownJuly 27, 1999RawColumbus, OH126
58Jeff JarrettAugust 22, 1999SummerSlamMinneapolis, MN656
59ChynaOctober 17, 1999No MercyCleveland, OH156
60Chris JerichoDecember 12, 1999ArmageddonSunrise, FL122
Chris Jericho and Chyna
(A double pinfall resulted in both being recognized as co-champions)
January 3, 2000RawMiami, FL120
61Chris JerichoJanuary 23, 2000Royal RumbleNew York, NY235
62Kurt AngleFebruary 27, 2000No Way OutHartford, CT135
63Chris BenoitApril 2, 2000WrestleMania 2000Anaheim, CA130
64Chris JerichoMay 2, 2000SmackDown!Richmond, VA36
65Chris BenoitMay 8, 2000RawUniondale, NY243
66RikishiJune 20, 2000SmackDown!Memphis, TN114
67Val VenisJuly 4, 2000SmackDown!Sunrise, FL254
68ChynaAugust 27, 2000SummerSlamRaleigh, NC28
69Eddie GuerreroSeptember 4, 2000RawLexington, KY178
70Billy GunnNovember 21, 2000SmackDown!Sunrise, FL119
71Chris BenoitDecember 10, 2000ArmageddonBirmingham, AL342
72Chris JerichoJanuary 21, 2001Royal RumbleNew Orleans, LA472
73Triple HApril 3, 2001SmackDown!Oklahoma City, OK37
74Jeff HardyApril 10, 2001SmackDown!Philadelphia, PA16
75Triple HApril 16, 2001RawKnoxville, TN434
76KaneMay 20, 2001Judgment DaySacramento, CA137
77AlbertJune 26, 2001SmackDown!New York, NY127
78Lance StormJuly 23, 2001RawBuffalo, NY127
79EdgeAugust 19, 2001SummerSlamSan Jose, CA235
80ChristianSeptember 23, 2001UnforgivenPittsburgh, PA128
81EdgeOctober 21, 2001No MercySt. Louis, MO315
82TestNovember 5, 2001RawUniondale, NY113
83EdgeNovember 18, 2001Survivor SeriesGreensboro, NC463
84William RegalJanuary 20, 2002Royal RumbleAtlanta, GA156
85Rob Van DamMarch 17, 2002WrestleMania X8Toronto, ON, Canada135
86Eddie GuerreroApril 21, 2002BacklashKansas City, MO236
87Rob Van DamMay 27, 2002RawEdmonton, AB, Canada263
88Chris BenoitJuly 29, 2002RawGreensboro, NC427
89Rob Van DamAugust 25, 2002SummerSlamUniondale, NY322
90Chris JerichoSeptember 16, 2002RawDenver, CO514
91KaneSeptember 30, 2002RawHouston, TX220
92Triple H
(Was deactivated following the title being unified by Triple H’s World Heavyweight Championship)
October 20, 2002No MercyNorth Little Rock, AR5<1
93ChristianMay 18, 2003Judgment DayCharlotte, NC250
94Booker TJuly 7, 2003RawMontreal, QC, Canada134
95ChristianAugust 10, 2003House showDes Moines, IA350
96Rob Van DamSeptember 29, 2003RawRosemont, IL428
97Chris JerichoOctober 27, 2003RawFayetteville, NC6<1
98Rob Van DamOctober 27, 2003RawFayetteville, NC548
99Randy OrtonDecember 14, 2003ArmageddonOrlando, FL1210
100Edge
(Vacated due to injury)
July 11, 2004VengeanceHartford, CT557
101Chris JerichoSeptember 12, 2004UnforgivenPortland, OR737
102Shelton BenjaminOctober 19, 2004Taboo TuesdayMilwaukee, WI1244
103CarlitoJune 20, 2005RawPhoenix, AZ190
104Ric FlairSeptember 18, 2005UnforgivenOklahoma City, OK1155
105Shelton BenjaminFebruary 20, 2006RawTrenton, NJ269
106Rob Van DamApril 30, 2006BacklashLexington, KY615
107Shelton BenjaminMay 15, 2006RawLubbock, TX341
108Johnny NitroJune 25, 2006VengeanceCharlotte, NC199
109Jeff HardyOctober 2, 2006RawTopeka, KS235
110Johnny NitroNovember 6, 2006RawColumbus, OH27
111Jeff HardyNovember 13, 2006RawManchester, England398
112UmagaFebruary 19, 2007RawBakersfield, CA156
113Santino MarellaApril 16, 2007RawMilan, Italy177
114UmagaJuly 2, 2007RawDallas, TX262
115Jeff HardySeptember 2, 2007RawColumbus, OH4190
116Chris JerichoMarch 10, 2008RawMilwaukee, WI8111
117Kofi KingstonJune 29, 2008Night of ChampionsDallas, TX149
118Santino MarellaAugust 17, 2008SummerSlamIndianapolis, IN285
119William RegalNovember 10, 2008RawManchester, England270
120CM PunkJanuary 19, 2009RawRosemont, IL149
121John "Bradshaw" LayfieldMarch 9, 2009RawJacksonville, FL127
122Rey MysterioApril 5, 2009WrestleMania 25Houston, TX163
123Chris JerichoJune 7, 2009Extreme RulesNew Orleans, LA921
124Rey MysterioJune 28, 2009The BashSacramento, CA265
125John MorrisonSeptember 1, 2009SmackDownCleveland, OH3103
126Drew McIntyreDecember 13, 2009TLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsSan Antonio, TX1161
127Kofi KingstonMay 23, 2010Over the LimitDetroit, MI266
128Dolph ZigglerJuly 28, 2010SmackDownLaredo, TX1160
129Kofi KingstonJanuary 4, 2011SmackDownTucson, AZ377
130Wade BarrettMarch 22, 2011SmackDownColumbus, OH189
131Ezekiel JacksonJune 19, 2011Capitol PunishmentWashington, D.C.151
132Cody RhodesAugust 9, 2011SmackDownSacramento, CA1236
133Big ShowApril 1, 2012WrestleMania XXVIIIMiami Gardens, FL128
134Cody RhodesApril 29, 2012Extreme RulesRosemont, IL221
135ChristianMay 20, 2012Over the LimitRaleigh, NC464
136The MizJuly 23, 2012Raw 1000St. Louis, MO185
137Kofi KingstonOctober 16, 2012Main EventMemphis, TN474
138Wade BarrettDecember 29, 2012RawWashington, D.C.299
139The MizApril 7, 2013WrestleMania 29
Pre-Show
East Rutherford, NJ21
140Wade BarrettApril 8, 2013RawEast Rutherford, NJ369
141Curtis AxelJune 16, 2013PaybackRosemont, IL1155
142Big E LangstonNovember 18, 2013RawNashville, TN1167
143Bad News Barrett
(Vacated on June 30, 2014 due to a shoulder injury)
May 4, 2014Extreme RulesEast Rutherford, NJ457
144The MizJuly 20, 2014BattlegroundTampa, FL328
145Dolph ZigglerAugust 17, 2014SummerSlamLos Angeles, CA235
146The MizSeptember 21, 2014Night of ChampionsNashville, TN41
147Dolph ZigglerSeptember 22, 2014RawMemphis, TN356
148Luke HarperNovember 17, 2014RawRoanoke, VA127
149Dolph ZigglerDecember 14, 2014TLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsCleveland, OH422
150Bad News BarrettJanuary 5, 2015RawCorpus Christi, TX583
151Daniel Bryan
(Vacated on May 11, 2015 due to an injury)
March 29, 2015WrestleMania 31Santa Clara, CA143
152RybackMay 31, 2015Elimination ChamberCorpus Christi, TX1112
153Kevin OwensSeptember 20, 2015Night of ChampionsHouston, TX184
154Dean AmbroseDecember 13, 2015TLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsBoston, MA164
155Kevin OwensFebruary 15, 2016RawAnaheim, CA248
156Zack RyderApril 3, 2016WrestleMania 32Arlington, TX11
157The MizApril 4, 2016RawDallas, TX5188
158Dolph ZigglerOctober 9, 2016No MercySacramento, CA537
159The MizNovember 15, 2016SmackDownWilkes-Barre, PA649
160Dean AmbroseJanuary 3, 2017SmackDownJacksonville, FL2152
161The MizJune 4, 2017Extreme RulesBaltimore, MD7169
162Roman ReignsNovember 20, 2017RawHouston, TX163
163The MizJanuary 22, 2018Raw 25 YearsBrooklyn, NY876
164Seth RollinsApril 8, 2018WrestleMania 34New Orleans, LA171
165Dolph ZigglerJune 18, 2018RawGrand Rapids, MI662
166Seth RollinsAugust 19, 2018SummerSlamBrooklyn, NY2119
167Dean AmbroseDecember 16, 2018TLC: Tables, Ladders & ChairsSan Jose, CA329
168Bobby LashleyJanuary 14, 2019RawMemphis, TN134
169Finn BálorFebruary 17, 2019Elimination ChamberHouston, TX122
170Bobby LashleyMarch 11, 2019RawPittsburgh, PA227
171Finn BálorApril 7, 2019WrestleMania 35East Rutherford, NJ298
172Shinsuke NakamuraJuly 14, 2019Extreme Rules
Kickoff
Philadelphia, PA1201
173Braun StrowmanJanuary 31, 2020SmackDownTulsa, OK137
174Sami Zayn
(Zayn was stripped of the championship for refraining to work during the Global pandemic. Zayn still claimed to be the champion in kayfabe)
March 8, 2020Elimination ChamberPhiladelphia, PA165
175AJ StylesJune 8, 2020SmackDownOrlando, FL174
176Jeff HardyAugust 21, 2020SmackDownOrlando, FL537
177Sami ZaynSeptember 27, 2020Clash of ChampionsOrlando, FL286
178Big EDecember 22, 2020SmackDownSt. Petersburg, FL2110
179Apollo CrewsApril 11, 2021WrestleMania 37
Night 2
Tampa, FL1124
180King NakamuraAugust 13, 2021SmackDownTulsa, OK2182
181Sami ZaynFebruary 11, 2022SmackDownNew Orleans, LA321
182RicochetMarch 4, 2022SmackDownMiami, FL198
183GuntherJune 10, 2022SmackDownBaton Rouge, LA1375+



FAQs

Who is the current WWE Intercontinental Champion?

WWE Superstar Gunther is the current Intercontinental Champion.

Who has won the Intercontinental Championship the most time?

Former WWE Superstar Chris Jericho has had nine reigns with the Intercontinental Championship, which is more than anyone else.

Who held the Intercontinental Championship the longest?

The Honky Tonk Man held the Intercontinental title for 454 days, which is the single longest reign in title's history.