Created in 1979, the inaugural WWE Intercontinental Champion was Pat Patterson – infamously awarded the title after a fictional tournament supposedly held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The title has long been seen as a stepping stone to greater things: a workhorse championship for stars the company views as potential main eventers, from Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels to Gunther and Bron Breakker.
Since its inception, there have been 92 individual champions.
Of those former titleholders now outside WWE, here are a few we could yet see re-sign with the company.
5. Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho holds the record for the most Intercontinental Title reigns in WWE history, with nine to his name.
One of pro wrestling’s most iconic stars of the past three decades, he successfully reinvented himself by joining AEW in 2019 and becoming its inaugural World Champion.
However, given his legendary status in WWE, it would be unwise to rule out a final run with the company.
While another future Intercontinental Title reign may be unlikely, Jericho will forever be synonymous with the championship’s legacy.
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4. Rob Van Dam
Rob Van Dam recently announced that he and his wife, former TNA star Katie Forbes, are expecting twins.
While becoming a first-time dad at 54 is uncharted territory for RVD, winning Intercontinental Titles certainly isn’t – he’s a six-time champion in WWE.
The future father hasn’t closed the book on his wrestling career either, working semi-regularly in recent years, including appearances for AEW.
Despite suffering a double foot injury during MLW’s Battle Riot match in April, it still feels likely we’ll see RVD return to WWE at some point, even if only for a one-off appearance.
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3. Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy is another former Intercontinental Champion whose status as a WWE legend is undeniable.
A five-time titleholder, he last held the belt in 2008.
He’s currently working in TNA, where he remains one of the promotion’s top stars.
However, a return and final run in WWE feels inevitable – likely followed by an induction into the company’s Hall of Fame.
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2. Matt Cardona
As Zack Ryder, the highlight of Matt Cardona’s WWE career was winning the Intercontinental Title in a seven-way ladder match at WrestleMania 32.
His reign lasted just one day, losing the title to The Miz on the Raw after WrestleMania.
Since then, he’s shed his lower-midcard gimmick and reinvented himself as the “Indy God” becoming a breakout star on the indies over the past five years.
The question now is whether WWE will give him another shot – and perhaps even a second run with the Intercontinental Title and a chance at redemption.
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1. Dolph Ziggler
Another former Intercontinental Champion who has looked to reinvent himself following his WWE release is Nic Nemeth – the former Dolph Ziggler.
A six-time Intercontinental Champion, he was a permanent fixture in the title scene throughout his 18-year WWE run.
Since leaving the company, he’s racked up gold elsewhere, winning the TNA World Championship, the AAA Mega Championship, and New Japan’s Global Heavyweight Title.
Given his long tenure in WWE, it feels likely he’ll return at some point – and you shouldn’t rule out another run with the Intercontinental Title.
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