Part 3: Intercontinental Title Matches!

[Guest Daniel]

Today, the list continues with the Intercontinental Title, which, consequently, is probably the most spectacular of the four categories examined.  (Maybe second to the first, now that I think of it.)

 

Much like the first category, it is extremely hard to separate the greatest of the Intercontinental duels.  So, without further ado, with the exception of this line, the two greatest IC Title matches at Wrestlemania are:

 

Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage, Wrestlemania III

Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon, Ladder Match, Wrestlemania X

 

Many of the experts, who favor the old time stuff a lot, say that up until 1989, this was considered the greatest match of all time.  Having recently watched this match, I can attest to the greatness of it, but it’s not the greatest match I’ve ever seen.  

 

However, that’s an irrelevant issue, as this is a super match, worthy of the amazing praise that it receives.  If you haven’t seen it, hunt it down and watch it.  Then watch it again and appreciate how great these two men were in their prime.

 

The match was setup by Savage’s ghastly attack on Steamboat’s throat, thus upping the ante on an already heated match.  It just so happens that Savage was holding the IC Title at the time, which probably increased his ‘psycho-factor’ a little in defense of his precious Title.

 

After slow build, the match evolves into a fantastic, exhausting battle, full of intensity and crisp moves.  As this was Wrestlemania, the good guy won, in relatively clean fashion, after an intense struggle.

 

Highly recommended match.

 

The second listed match is one of the most influential matches in the modern era.  Shawn Michaels has stated that this match is the one that elevated him to the next level.  It’s also the match that made the Ladder stip something special.  This, and the return match at Summerslam, was the blueprint for the Dueling Ladders contest at No Mercy 99.

 

Basically, this match set the new standard for stunt-wrestling matches and high profile matches full stop.  They beat the shite out of each other with innovative and precedent setting standards.  Exciting, high impact and breath taking are apropo when describing this contest.  Michaels and Ramon turned it up on this show and the effect on their careers, and the careers of others, was profound.  

 

An awesome battle.

 

Unlike the previous two categories, the gap in quality from the top two to the next one is rather small.  Again, I recently watched this match and loved it.  It was a fantastic match…

 

Wrestlemania VIII, Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper

 

Bret dropped the title on the road in the midst of illness to the Mountie, who in turn lost it to Piper at the 92 Rumble.  Bret wanted it back.  Simple.

 

I love this match.  Two good guys going at for the sake of competitiveness and for the sake of the title.  This would have to be Piper’s best (WWF) match ever and another one for the huge Bret Hart classics archive.  It starts out as good sportsmanship and evolves into competitiveness and then turns into one-upsmanship and foul play.  Piper gives Bret a beauty of a sucker punch, which opens him up big time, whereas Bret brings out the ‘playing possum’ bit to gain the advantage.  A beautiful match with a fantastic ending, that comes shortly after Piper teases a heel turn, but bows down to his good side.  Bret would use the same move to defeat Austin in 1996 in an absolute classic match.  But again, tangents…

 

 

Awesome match.

 

Next on the list…

Ravishing Rick Rude vs. Ultimate Warrior, Wrestlemania V

 

Not a classic in the Bret Hart sense of the word, but this was still a decent match with an upset finish that surprised me upon first viewing.  A good indication that Rude was a good talent, as good dramatic matches weren’t easy to come by with Hellwig, although he did have some big supercard matches.  

 

Rude was fairly well dominated by Warrior, and Heenan, like any good manager would, interfered on behalf of his charge to take the title in a finish that has been used multiple times since, and before I’m sure.

 

I can’t say too much about this match, but it was a major upset and a fairly big match.  Also a good example of how useful male managers are, when in comparison to managers of today.  Don’t get me started on Stephanie…

 

Last match on my IC Title list is a bit iffy, as it wasn’t only for the IC Title, but it was a very good match.

 

Chris Benoit vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kurt Angle, Wrestlemania XVI

This was two/three falls, IC/Euro Title match, so I wasn’t sure where to put it.  

 

All three were making their Wrestlemania debut, on the biggest card of the all time and they didn’t disappoint.  Strangely, despite the wrestlers involved, Angle and Jericho in particular and the action unfolding, the crowd was rather subdued.  Ignoring the crowd though, it’s a good match to watch, as Benoit, to my knowledge, debuts the Dragon suplex in the WWF.  Shortly after, he attains his first WWF Title by pinning Jericho with the Swandive.  Just for reference, Jericho later pins Benoit with the Lionsault to win the Euro Title.  Really good match.

 

Aside from the above, none of the other IC matches at ‘Mania have been exceptional.  As explained though, the above matches are above exceptional and well worth your while.  Technically, Warrior vs. Hogan was an IC Title match as well, but it wasn’t the bigger issue, much like the Euro Title in the above match.

 

Next up, the reason why Wrestlemania has constantly set PPV records…the World Title matches!