Top 10 Intercontinental Championship Matches in WrestleMania History

We’re less than a month away from WrestleMania 42, which has been World Wrestling Entertainment’s marquee event since 1985. That means it’s the perfect time to look back and see who shined on the “Grandest Stage of Them All.” Today, I’m focusing on matches where the Intercontinental Championship was on the line and choosing my top 10:

10) Ultimate Warrior (C) vs. Rick Rude: WrestleMania V

While never known for his in-ring prowess, Warrior could deliver with the right opponent, and other than Randy Savage, Rude might have gotten the best out of him. Their match wasn’t a masterpiece, but it was solid enough and had a surprise ending when Rude, with help from Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, won the belt and handed Warrior his first pinfall loss in WWF.

9) The Miz (C) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor: WrestleMania 34

An interesting collection of talent when we see their current roles: Rollins is a main eventer, Balor has been in the Judgment Day vortex for ages, and Miz is largely a comedy act. On this night, Miz did his best to hang with Rollins and Balor, eating both wrestlers’ finishers as Rollins claimed the title.

8) Roddy Piper (C) vs. Bret Hart: WrestleMania VIII

A rare “face vs. face” matchup saw a clash of styles with the brawler Piper defending against the technician Hart. For as consistently great as Hart was, I don’t think he had a ton of memorable matches. This is one of them as the physical bout was elevated by Hart being bloodied, a rarity in the WWF circa 1992. Hart won in an uncommon pinfall loss for Piper.

7) Kevin Owens (C) vs. The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Sami Zayn vs. Sin Cara vs. Zack Ryder vs. Stardust in a Ladder Match: WrestleMania 32

Some people don’t like these train wreck, spot-fest, multi-man ladder matches. I’m not one of them. Give me all the high spots! This one had plenty, but it’s best remembered for the shock outcome when Ryder, who was a substitute for an injured Neville (PAC in AEW), tossed Miz off the ladder to grab the belt. He’d lose it to Miz the next night on Raw.

6) Gunther (C) vs. Sami Zayn: WrestleMania XL

A classic David and Goliath story. Gunther held the IC title for 666 days, shattering the Honky Tonk Man’s record of 455, and was set to defend against the “Underdog from the Underground.” It was your usual formula of big man dominates, small man gets in hope spots, but it’s done to near perfection. Zayn would win clean with his finisher, ending Gunther’s reign.

5) Hulk Hogan (C) vs. Ultimate Warrior (C) in a Title vs. Title Match: WrestleMania VI

The main event of WrestleMania VI was for the WWF Championship, but Warrior’s IC title was also on the line, so it qualifies. Warrior and Hogan were top stars, making this the highest profile match the Intercontinental belt has ever been contested in. The solid match was elevated by a hot crowd. Warrior pinned Hogan, an extremely rare event, to capture the WWF title and usher in a short-lived era with Ultimate Warrior as the top guy.

4) Bad News Barrett (C) vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Stardust vs. Luke Harper vs. R-Truth in a Ladder Match: WrestleMania 31

Like the previous ladder match on this list, just with more star power—Ziggler, Ambrose, Bryan, and Stardust (Cody Rhodes) all held World titles in WWE. Bryan got the win on this night, though it felt like a consolation prize coming one year after the Yes Movement had propelled him to the top belt in a Triple Threat Match against Randy Orton and Batista.

3) Randy Savage (C) vs. Ricky Steamboat: WrestleMania III

The story is that Savage and Steamboat rehearsed the match multiple times leading up to the big event in contrast with the typical “call it in the ring” philosophy of that era. Whatever they did, it worked. It felt years ahead of its time and was a perfect complement to the headliner of Hogan and Andre the Giant. Steamboat won the title in this classic, and if you believe it belongs higher on the list, I can’t argue with you.

2) Gunther (C) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus: WrestleMania 39

This was, in the words of Big E, “Big meaty men slapping meat!” Honestly, that fails to do the match justice as all three men boast plenty of technical ability. It’s just that the physicality shined on this night. If you want to see what wrestling fans mean when they talk about “working stiff,” watch this match. Gunther retained in an absolute hoss fight.

1) Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon in a Ladder Match: WrestleMania X

For WrestleMania, the ladder match was basically a new concept when Michaels and Ramon had their respective belts suspended above the ring. What followed was magic. The creative ways the ladder was used set the stage for future ladder matches. Michaels was at the height of his powers, and Razor hung with him, eventually grabbing the titles to become the undisputed champion in the best Intercontinental Championship Match in WrestleMania history.