10 Best Intercontinental Championship Matches in WWE History

Bret Hart and Gunther

10- The Miz (c) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor - WrestleMania 34

The Miz defended his title in a fast-paced, high-stakes Triple Threat match against two former World Champions, Seth Rollins and Finn Bálor. The bout opened the main show with a tremendous burst of action, featuring thrilling sequences and near-falls involving all three elite competitors. In the end, Rollins hit a Stomp on Bálor, who was on top of The Miz, and then delivered a final Curb Stomp to the champion to secure the pinfall and become a Grand Slam Champion.

9- Daniel Bryan vs. Bad News Barrett (c) vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Luke Harper vs. R-Truth vs. Stardust - WrestleMania 31

Daniel Bryan vs. Bad News Barrett (c) vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Luke Harper vs. R-Truth vs. Stardust This chaotic Ladder Match at WrestleMania 31 was a thrilling spectacle, bringing high-stakes excitement back to the coveted championship. Seven men risked their bodies in a furious scramble for the gold, featuring dangerous ladder bumps and intense brawling. In a moment of fan catharsis, Daniel Bryan triumphed over his six opponents, capturing the Intercontinental Championship and becoming a Grand Slam Champion. The match was praised for its action and its popular, feel-good ending.

8- Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper - WrestleMania 8

One of Bret Hart’s most iconic Intercontinental title matches came at WrestleMania 8 against Roddy Piper. After a tight, story-driven battle, Piper teased turning heel by grabbing the ring bell, but the crowd’s reaction pulled him back. He went for a sleeper, only for Hart to counter into a brilliant pin to win the title. When the referee tried to hand over the belt, Piper took it first, then proudly fastened it around a bloodied Hitman’s waist. It became a timeless, feel-good moment in both men’s careers.

7- Randy Orton vs. Cactus Jack - Backlash 2004

This bloody, brutal contest was the culmination of Orton's "Legend Killer" persona challenging the Hardcore icon, Cactus Jack (Mick Foley). A violent spectacle, Orton took agonizing chair shots and a legendary bump into a pile of thumbtacks. It was the match that transformed Orton from a cocky prospect into a legitimate, hardened main event star, cementing his toughness.

6- Bret Hart (c) vs. Mr. Perfect - SummerSlam 1991

A wrestling purist's dream, this was a clash of technical masters, both widely considered among the best in-ring performers of their era. Hart forced Perfect to wrestle despite a severe back injury, yet the action was crisp and intense. It was a massive win for Hart, solidifying his ascent as a top singles star and showcasing the prestigious "Excellence of Execution."

5- Shawn Michaels (c) vs. Razor Ramon - WrestleMania X

This Ladder Match redefined the genre and is one of the most iconic bouts in WWE history. To determine the undisputed Intercontinental champion, Michaels and Ramon created innovative offense using the ladder, blending high spots with drama. The spectacle helped launch the careers of both men into the main event scene and set a new standard for championship competition.

4- Bret Hart (c) vs. The British Bulldog - SummerSlam 1992

In front of over 80,000 passionate fans at Wembley Stadium, Bret Hart and his brother-in-law, The British Bulldog, delivered an emotional epic. Bulldog's first major singles title win, the storytelling was superb, portraying a competitive family rivalry. Hart masterfully guided the less experienced Bulldog to a career-defining main event that is revered for its incredible atmosphere and ring psychology.

3- Gunther (c) vs. Sheamus - Clash at the Castle 2022

This "Banger" was a relentless, hard-hitting masterpiece that re-established the prestige of the Intercontinental Championship. In front of a white-hot crowd in Cardiff, Gunther and Sheamus battered each other with thunderous chops and brutal power moves. Sheamus, seeking the one title he had never held, delivered a heroic performance, earning a massive standing ovation despite ultimately falling to the champion’s devastating powerbomb and lariat.

2- Randy Savage (c) vs. Ricky Steamboat - WrestleMania III

The definitive match that elevated the title, this contest showcased flawless execution and incredible pacing. Savage's heel brilliance met Steamboat's high-flying offense in a revolutionary wrestling clinic. Featuring 22 near-falls, it cemented the IC title as the "workhorse championship" and remains a masterclass in wrestling drama and technical precision.

1- Gunther (c) vs. Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre - WrestleMania 39

A chaotic and stiff 5-star triple-threat match that redefined the "Banger" term. The three powerhouse Europeans delivered an unrelenting display of chops, strikes, and power moves. Gunther retained his title in a show-stealing performance that validated his historic reign and firmly re-established the Intercontinental Championship as WWE's most prestigious "workhorse" title in the modern era.