DVD Review: The History of the Intercontinental Championship



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 Universe❠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 Bodyâs❠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

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