A title that has been misused and ignored, not to mention defunct for a short time certainly deserves this type of treatment.
The History of the Intercontinental Title — to be released on November 25 — is a three-disc DVD offering from WWE. According to host Todd Grisham, members of the âWWE Universeâ were asked to pick the 25 greatest IC matches of all times. For the most part, that voting resulted in not only the best Intercontinental title match-ups, but a few of the greatest bouts in wrestling history.
Yet, for some reason, that 1979 South American championship win by North American champion Pat Patterson that established the title is missing yet again. Damn you, Rio de Janeiro video archivists!
From the stellar (Savage vs. Steamboat and Michaels vs. Ramon) to the shocking (Steamboat vs. Honky Tonk Man and Chyna vs. Jarrett) to the historical (Jerichoâs record-setting 8th title win, the end of the Honky Tonk era, and the start of the Ultimate Warriorâs mega-push), it is hard to argue with the selections. This is a DVD set where there is truly something for everyone. Old school wrestling fans can revel in Disc 1 that covers the eighties while new sports entertainment followers can enjoy Disc 4 that covers the past eight years — save for the brief time when the belt was unified with the World title in a match between Triple H and Kane.
That span of time is conveniently not mentioned in Grisham’s narration of the belt’s history. See what shame and regret can do?
As mentioned above, Todd Grisham hosts the tribute with enthusiasm, but he just doesn’t seem to fit. Iâm not saying that you donât give the job to the young guy, but there are times when Grisham is more smart-ass than insightful. More cute than candid about the history of this great belt. And wearing it at the end? Um, no.
The good news is that there is no unnecessary yakking and analysis in a pointless documentary. These three discs are about matches. The history of this great belt is told in the ring.
Also, Jesse Ventura as commentator shows up on this DVD set. While I have felt âThe Bodyâsâ insight and announcing style doesnât hold up as well and he is a bit overrated in that department, it does give an air of authenticity to the older matches.
Finally, much has been said about the packaging snafu, trading Pat Pattersonâs image for that of Buddy Roberts. Consider that first printing a collector’s item gift, I guess. It certainly does not take away from a solid DVD set for wrestling fans of all ages and tastes.
The Particulars:
Disc 1 – 1980s
Todd Grisham – The Inaugural Champion
WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Match
Pat Patterson vs. Ted DiBiase
Madison Square Garden October 22, 1979
Todd Grisham – Olympic Strongman vs. The Fiery Latino
WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Match
Ken Patera vs. Pedro Morales
Madison Square Garden October 20, 1980
Todd Grisham – Knockdown Drag out Fight
WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Match
Pedro Morales vs. The Magnificent Muraco
Madison Square Garden December 28, 1982
Todd Grisham – The Super Splash
Steel Cage Match for the WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship
The Magnificent Muraco vs. Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka
Madison Square Garden October 17, 1983
Todd Grisham – Arriba! & The Hammer
Lumberjack Match for the WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship
Greg Valentine vs. Tito Santana
Madison Square Garden March 17, 1985
Todd Grisham – Enter the Macho Man
WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Match
Tito Santana vs. Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage
Boston Garden February 8, 1986
Todd Grisham – The Greatest Ever
WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Match
Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage vs. Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat
WrestleMania III March 29, 1987
Todd Grisham – The Guitar Playing Antagonist
WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Match
Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat vs. Honky Tonk Man
SuperStars June 2, 1987
Todd Grisham – End of an Era
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Honky Tonk Man vs. Ultimate Warrior
SummerSlam August 29, 1988
Todd Grisham – The Ladies Man
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Ravishing Rick Rude vs. Ultimate Warrior
SummerSlam August 28, 1989
Disc 2 – 1990s
Todd Grisham – The Perfect Champion
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Mr. Perfect vs. Bret ‘Hit Man’ Hart
SummerSlam August 26, 1991
Todd Grisham – Divided Loyalties
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Bret ‘Hit Man’ Hart vs. British Bulldog
SummerSlam August 29, 1992
Todd Grisham – Stealing the Show
Ladder Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels
WrestleMania X March 20, 1994
Todd Grisham – Believing in Yourself
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Razor Ramon vs. Jeff Jarrett
Royal Rumble January 22, 1995
Todd Grisham – One of the Greatest Rivalries in History
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Rocky Maivia
In Your House: D-Generation X December 7, 1997
Todd Grisham – A New Level of Popularity
2 out of 3 Falls for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Triple H vs. The Rock
In Your House: Fully Loaded July 26, 1998
Todd Grisham – The Ninth Wonder of the World
Good Housekeeping Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Jeff Jarrett vs. Chyna
No Mercy October 17, 1999
Disc 3 – 2000s
Todd Grisham – The New Millennium
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Chris Jericho vs. Kurt Angle
No Way Out February 27, 2000
Todd Grisham – 3 Is Better Than 2
Triple Threat Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Jericho vs. X-Pac
SmackDown! October 12, 2000
Todd Grisham – David vs. Goliath
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy
SmackDown! April 12, 2001
Todd Grisham – The Unification
WWE Intercontinental vs. European Championship Ladder Match
Rob Van Dam vs. Jeff Hardy
RAW July 22, 2002
Todd Grisham – Battle of the Young Guns
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Randy Orton vs. Edge
Vengeance July 11, 2004
Todd Grisham – Former World Champions Collide
Steel Cage Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Ric Flair vs. Triple H
Taboo Tuesday November 1, 2005
Todd Grisham – Winner Takes All
Money in the Bank & WWE Intercontinental Championship – Winner Takes All
Rob Van Dam vs. Shelton Benjamin
Backlash April 30, 2006
Todd Grisham – Fresh Faces
Triple Threat Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Shelton Benjamin vs. Carlito vs. Johnny Nitro
Vengeance June 25, 2006
Todd Grisham – One Man Wrecking Crew
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Umaga vs. Jeff Hardy
Great American Bash July 22, 2007
Todd Grisham – # 8
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho
RAW March 10, 2008
Todd Grisham – The Matches Speak for Themselves
