See, you'd all *THINK* he'd drop the belt. But remember in WCW when Hogan used to go those long stretches without defending the belt once or even appearing on TV (correct me if I'm wrong here)? HHH would pull the same thing.
"The fans-uh, they will anticipate-uh my return-uh, the IC title feuds-uh will hold them over-uh." *poses, spits water, holds down RVD*