Intercontinental Championship: Top Ten Superstars Who Defined The Title

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10. Shawn Michaels

It’s always hard to believe that Shawn Michaels is tenth best at anything when it comes to the wrestling business. Usually “The Heartbreak Kid” falls in the 1-5 range. However, when it comes to the Intercontinental Championship, Michaels dabbled in that title scene between 1992 and 1995 before heading off into mega star status where he won four world titles and main evented five WrestleManias. So for a guy who didn’t spend a ton of time vying for this particular belt, he was still very good at it, winning it three times and holding the belt for over 400 combined days. His very first reign was for 202 days, his best run with this particular gold.

That reign began in October of 1992 when he defeated The British Bulldog on an episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event.  This win occurred a little less than a year after Michaels turned heel by way of smashing his tag team partner Marty Jannetty’s face into Brutus Beefcake’s Barber Shop window. With his new persona, Shawn officially began his ascent to the top. His first IC title reign was derailed by Jannetty but it was only temporary as HBK got his title back from his former friend in June of 1993 just 20 days after he lost it.

Michaels would win the title one more time in July of 1995 from Jeff Jarrett and held it for 90 more days. Seven months later he was WWE Champion. Michaels also has the half the distinction of being one of the two men two to engage in the first two ever ladder matches. Both were against Razor Ramon and both had the IC title on the line.

Michaels is one of the many men to use the Intercontinental Championship as a springboard to bigger and better things. Had he not been a clear-cut superstar in the making, he may have had more success with it but no one can complain in that regard. Michaels’ runs with the IC belt proves why secondary titles in the WWE are as important as they are.