Former WWE Intercontinental Champions To Re-Sign With The Company

WWE’s Intercontinental Championship has been a mainstay of WWE since 1979, with a list a mile long of acclaimed former champions.

When looking at both the free agent market and stars in other companies, there are some of the title’s most historic holders that could be poised to make a return to WWE and re-sign with the company in the near future.

Here are seven former WWE Intercontinental Champions who could re-sign with the company.

7. Chris Jericho

The most decorated Intercontinental Champion in WWE history is actually current AEW star Chris Jericho.

Having captured the IC title nine times in his WWE tenure, it is possible that we could see Jericho make it to 10 sometime in the future.

Although he is still signed to AEW, Chris Jericho’s contract with the company reportedly ends at the end of 2025.

By the time the 2026 Royal Rumble comes to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in January – perhaps we could see the return of Chris Jericho.

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6. Jeff Hardy

While often recognized as a member of The Hardy Boyz with brother Matt, Jeff Hardy also had an illustrious singles career in WWE.

Hardy won the Intercontinental Championship five times in his WWE career with his reigns topping over 300 days combined.

Jeff Hardy is currently signed to TNA Wrestling where he continues in tag team action with his brother Matt Hardy.

Since the partnership between TNA and WWE was announced, we have already seen the return of Jeff Hardy to NXT, but fans continue to hold out hope that a full return to the company is also in his future.

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5. Matt Cardona

One highlight in Zack Ryder’s WWE career was winning the Intercontinental Title in a seven-way ladder match at WrestleMania 32.

The win is also notable in a way for being the second shortest reign in the history of the IC title after he lost it the next night on WWE Raw to The Miz.

The shortest reign in the title’s history was Dean Douglas who was awarded the Intercontinental Championship after he was set to face Shawn Michaels for it at In Your House 4. However, Douglas was then immediately tasked with defending it against Razor Ramon in a losing effort, sparing the blushes of Matt Cardona from holding an unfortunate WWE record.

While Matt Cardona has proclaimed on the indies that Zack Ryder is dead, it would be really great to see Matt Cardona get another shot at the Intercontinental Championship.

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4. Dustin Rhodes

While he did not capture the Intercontinental Champion as Dustin Rhodes – rather his former character of Goldust – the WWE legend has held the title three separate times.

Dustin Rhodes on the other hand continues in active competition in AEW and ROH, currently holding gold.

Rhodes is currently a ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champion with Marshall von Erich and Ross von Erich and a ROH World Tag Team Champion with Sammy Guevara as The Sons Of Texas.

With many fans hopeful that Rhodes will return to WWE someday – particularly to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame – he is one former IC champ that would be an iconic re-signing, albeit one unlikely to happen soon given that Rhodes recently re-signed with AEW earlier this year.

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3. Rikishi

One legendary former Intercontinental Champion is Rikishi.

While Rikishi had several tag team title runs during his career – holding the WWF World Tag Team titles in 1994, 2002 & 2004 – he also has an IC title reign on his list of accolades.

Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015, the veteran star continues to make his opinions known on current WWE storylines on his Off the Top podcast.

Rikishi would be a fun re-signing to host an official WWE podcast or even appear on premium live event post-show panels with his obvious connection to the Bloodline making for an interesting perspective.

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2. Nic Nemeth

Another much acclaimed former Intercontinental Champion, Nic Nemeth won the gold six times in his WWE career under the name Dolph Ziggler.

While he continues to perform in TNA Wrestling, currently TNA Wrestling Tag Team Champions with his brother Ryan Nemeth – he would make for an interesting return for WWE.

Although there is room for crossover with TNA Wrestling featuring on NXT and vice versa, Nemeth ultimately would still be a good signing for WWE when he’s available once again.

Having accomplished a lot in his career but perhaps still in search of one more big run – it could be an enjoyable retirement tour to see Dolph Ziggler back in WWE.

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1. Billy Gunn

While Billy Gunn remains active on-screen in AEW, he is already under a merchandising contract with WWE – hence his presence as a DLC character in WWE 2K25.

However, his AEW talent contract details aren’t publicly known so it is possible it could be quite some time before Billy Gunn hits the free agent market.

But with his strong ties to Triple H and WWE as a whole, one would imagine that Gunn could make a return to WWE one day – particularly if it was also inclusive of his sons Austin and Colten Gunn signing with the company.

Since there are already an emerging group of legacy stars in NXT, all three Gunns would be a huge addition.

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