WWE's Greatest Champions Part 5: The Intercontinental Championship

Part five of my series looks at the greatest Intercontinental Champions in WWE history. With the list full of deserving candidates, it was hard to pick out the top ten, but I have narrowed the list, with a few honorable mentions at the end.

10. Jeff Hardy (4 times)

Not so much as the number of reigns or the length of his reigns as much as how he defended the title and who he defeated. The younger Hardy brother proved himself by defeating Triple H for his first title and losing it back to the Game four days later, He wouldn't get another belt for five years, when a feud with Johnny Nitro (now John Morrison) added two more titles to his resume before losing it to Umaga. He would regain it in a huge upset over the Samoan Bulldozer and hold it for six months before losing it to current champ Chris Jericho.

9. Jeff Jarrett (6 times)

Definitely one of WWE's most decorated IC Champs. He would defeat Razor Ramon for his first title in 1995, and would continue to feud with Ramon, as well as Shawn Michaels before leaving for WCW. After returning two years later, the now guitar-wielding Jarrett won his fourth title over the Godfather in 1999, then winning it twice more over Edge and D-Lo Brown, before notably losing it to Chyna.

8. Mr. Perfect (2 times)

The late great Perfect won his first title over Tito Santana in 1990 after Ultimate Warrior vacated the belt following a World Championship win. Hennig's only other win would come over the "Texas Tornado" himself, Kerry Von Erich.

7. Chris Jericho (8 times, current IC Champion)

Jericho has the most IC titles in WWE history, and his reigns have certainly been memorable. His second was the most notable of all of them, which came in a controversial fashion when he and Chyna were co-holders of the title, and it took a win in a triple-threat match over her and Hardcore Holly to win full custody of the title. After losing his fourth title, he disappeared for a while, only to come back and win number five over Rob Van Dam in 2002. He would defeat RVD for a sixth reign, only to lose it that same night. He would beat Chritian in 2004, and hold it for a month. His current reign began in March, when he defeated Jeff Hardy.

6. Pedro Morales (2 times)

Not a popular superstar, but his final reign lasted 425 days, a record at that time. The third man to win the belt, he feuded with Don Muraco over the title before regaining it, holding it for his record-setting reign, and then disappearing from the division.

5. Shawn Michaels (3 times)

It's impossible not to include the Showstopper on the list. Michaels defeated  British Bulldog  in 1992 to claim his first IC title.  He would only lose the title once in his career, dropping it to Marty Jannetty in a great match. His next reign would last only a couple of months until it was vacated, only to have Razor Ramon claim it. After returning, HBK beat Jeff Jarrett in Jarrett's hometown of Nashville to win his last title.

4. Razor Ramon (4 times)

Also known as Scott Hall to all of you nWo fans, his first ever WWE title was the IC belt, which he won after Michaels vacated it. When Michaels returned, they feuded for the title in the first of two great ladder matches, which went to Ramon. He would lose it to Diesel later on, only to regain it just four months after. Ramon would lose the belt to Jeff Jarrett, but he would get another shot. A second ladder match was set up between him and then-champ Shawn Michaels, but this time, Michaels picked up the W.

3. Ultimate Warrior (2 times)

The paint-clad Warrior was noted for ending the longest IC reign in a very short time. The Ultimate Warrior defeated Honky Tonk Man in just 32 seconds to end a reign that lasted over 400 days. He would lose the title to Rick Rude. He got a rematch, one year after the 32-second IC match, in a steel cage. Warrior managed to pin Rude and continue to hold the belt until Wrestlemania V, when he vacated the title after winning the World Heavyweight Title.

2. Randy Savage (1 time)

While only holding the title once, his feuds with such legends as George "the Animal" Steele and Ricky Steamboat  proved the type of champion he was: one who would take on all challengers. Holding the belt for 414 days also puts him near the top of the list.

1. Honky Tonk Man (1 time)

Not a surprise that the Honky Tonk Man is on top. He held the belt for a record 434 days, defeating such stars as Savage and Brutus Beefcake to hang on to the belt. Like many of the wrestlers of today, HTM would do whatever it took to hold onto his title (think JBL, Edge...). The only downside? The previously mentioned 32-second defeat at the hands of Ultimate Warrior.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Triple H, The Rock, Tito Santana, Bret Hart, Edge, RVD

I welcome all feedback as always.

Next time: The World Heavyweight Championship.