Most Intercontinental Championship reigns in WWE history

Most Intercontinental Championship reigns in WWE history

The Intercontinental Championship is one of the most prestigious championships in WWE history. Hall of Famers such as Pat Patterson, Bret “Hit Man” Hart, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and The Rock have all held the coveted title, making massive names for themselves in the process. However, there is an elite group who has been able to climb the mountain and win the championship time and time again. Which Superstars have had the most reigns with the Intercontinental Championship? Let’s find out!

3

Bad News Barrett – 5 reigns

Bad News Barrett vs. Big E - Intercontinental Championship Match: Extreme Rules 2014 (WWE Network Exclusive)

Bad News Barrett and Big E square off for the Intercontinental Championship at Extreme Rules 2014

I’m afraid I’ve got … some pretty good news?!

In the midst of consistently bringing the mood of the WWE Universe down with his dismal tidbits, Barrett would often raise his own spirits by reclaiming the Intercontinental Championship.

Winning the title for the first time in 2011, Barrett would ride the Winds of Change and wield the Bull Hammer Elbow on his way to four more Intercontinental Championships,claiming his last on Rawin January 2015, against the next Sueprstar on this list…

3

Dolph Ziggler – 5 reigns

Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston - Intercontinental Championship Match: SmackDown, Aug. 6, 2010

Dolph Ziggler and Kofi Kingston have a thrilling contest for the Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown!

There are few better ways to show the world what you can do than to hold court as Intercontinental Champion. Cue Dolph Ziggler.

The Showoff’s five reigns with the title have included thrillers against the likes of Kofi Kingston, Luke Harper and, most recently, The Miz.

Ziggler has been both beloved and despised by the WWE Universe when chasing after the championship. The one constant has, and always will be, that he will steal the show in pursuit and defense of it.

3

Edge – 5 reigns

Edge vs. Randy Orton: Vengeance 2004 - Intercontinental Championship Match

The future Rated-RKO clash at Vengeance when Edge challenges Randy Orton for the Intercontinental Championship. Each Superstar executes a series of reversals resulting in an unpredictable conclusion.

You think you know Edge? If so, then you know good and well that he was always vigilant in his quest for Intercontinental Championship gold.

Arguably one of the most dominant Intercontinental Champions ever, Edge defeated fellow Intercontinental Title record holder Jeff Jarrett for his first reign with the championship in 1999. His history with the title continued until an injury forced him to vacate the championship two months after winning it from Randy Orton at Vengeance 2004.

The Intercontinental Championship is often seen as a launching pad to World Championships. It’s safe to say that Edge’s reigns with the title lifted The Rated-R Superstar into the stratosphere.

3

Triple H – 5 reigns

Triple H vs. The Rock - Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match: SummerSlam 1998

The Rock and Triple H have a memorable Ladder Match over the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam 1998 in Madison Square Garden.

Easy to get lost amid his seemingly endless list of accolades and accomplishments, Triple H is, without question, one of the most successful Intercontinental Champions to ever grace a WWE ring.

Attaining his first reign with the title after beating “Wildman” Marc Mero on Raw in October 1996, The Game went on to be a part of some of WWE’s most historic Intercontinental Championship moments – from winning the title against The Rock in a legendary Ladder Match at SummerSlam 1998, to regaining the championship and sharing every title with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin as The Two Man Power Trip in 2001, to defeating Kane to merge the Intercontinental and World Heavyweight Titles at No Mercy in 2002.

2

Rob Van Dam – 6 reigns

Rob Van Dam vs. Shelton Benjamin - Intercontinental Championship vs. Money in the Bank Match: Backlash 2006

Two of the most exciting Superstars in all of WWE square off in an Intercontinental Championship Match with major stakes, as Rob Van Dam put his Money in the Bank briefcase on the line against Shelton Benjamin's Intercontinental Title.

Rob Van Dam is widely heralded as the greatest ECW Television Champion of all time – which arguably makes it easier to overlook his impressive resume when it comes to the Intercontinental Championship.

Van Dam hit pay dirt with his first Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania X8, defeating William Regal in an opening contest that had the 68,000-plus inside Toronto’s Skydome absolutely buzzing. From there, RVD would go on to accumulate the title five more times, following wars with the likes of Chris Jericho and WWE Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero.

The Whole Dam Show has not been seen on WWE television for a few years, but one can all but guarantee that if he were to reemerge, reign number seven would absolutely be on his mind.  

2

Jeff Jarrett – 6 reigns

Jeff Jarrett and Razor Ramon - Intercontinental Championship Match: WWE Royal Rumble 1995

Jeff Jarrett and Razor Ramon have a memorable battle for the Intercontinental Title at the Royal Rumble

J-E-DOUBLE F. J-A-DOUBLE R-E-DOUBLE T with the IC!

What is quite possibly most impressive about Jeff Jarrett’s six Intercontinental Championship reigns is how spread out they are through different eras in WWE history.

The Tennessee native’s first reign came at WWE Royal Rumble 1995, right at the beginning of The New Generation. He wouldn’t relinquish his last tenure with the title until WWE No Mercy in October 1999, smack dab in the middle of WWE’s Attitude Era.

The list of opponents Jarrett defeated for the championship is also a Who’s Who in WWE, including WWE Hall of Famers Razor Ramon and Edge. 

2

The Miz – 6 reigns

Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz - Intercontinental Championship Match: SmackDown LIVE, Nov. 15, 2016

The A-Lister sets out to win back the Intercontinental Title from The Showoff.

You wanna know what’s awesome? Six reigns with one of the most coveted prizes in all of WWE.

The Miz seems to always find a way to get his hands back on the Intercontinental Championship. Winning the title for the first time from Christian on Raw 1000 in July 2012, Miz has gone on to recapture the crown an astounding five more times in just over a four-year period.

Whether it’s his past battles over the title with Bad News Barrett or his recent series of thrillers with Dolph Ziggler, the one constant is that The A-Lister has always made the Intercontinental Title the “It” championship.

1

Chris Jericho – 9 reigns

Chris Jericho vs. Rob Van Dam - Intercontinental Championship Match: Raw, Sept. 16, 2002

Chris Jericho and Rob Van Dam throw down for the Intercontinental Championship on Raw!

Well, would you look at who topped this list.

As a child, Chris Jericho dreamed of one day being Intercontinental Champion. How many people can say they lived their dream nine times over? Bursting onto the scene in 1999, Jericho quickly ascended the WWE ranks to win his first Intercontinental Title that same year.

Jericho would never look back, putting his name in the record books eight more times with victories over the likes of Rob Van Dam, Christian, Jeff Hardy and Rey Mysterio.  But perhaps most impressive about his nine reigns with the championship? The longevity of his career, winning them in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 respectively.  Quite the list indeed.

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