Who is the longest-reigning intercontinental champion in WWE history?

The Intercontinental Championship has a rich history featuring some of the all-time WWE greats. Multiple wrestlers have conquered the competition, but who is the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion? How long did the reign last?

Although some champions have managed to keep hold of the belt, including Gunther's longest-reigning Intercontinental championship, some legendary champions in WWE history have surpassed and broken the various set records.

Top 10 longest-reigning Intercontinental champions of all time

Although Gunther has quickly become one of the most dominant superstars in WWE and certainly the best Intercontinental champion in recent years, other WWE superstars have strived to outlast already-set records.

Sports Brief compiled a list ranking some of the longest-reigning WWE Intercontinental champions based on quantifiable criteria from credible online sources such as GivemeSport and The Sportster.

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NBA

10. Cody Rhodes

• Full name: Cody Garrett Runnels
• Date of birth: 30 June 1985
• Age: 38 years as of March 2024
• Nationality: American
• Days: 234

WWE recognises Rhodes' reign, which commenced in August 2011, when the episode aired on tape delay. WWE later allowed the Intercontinental champion to appear on both Raw and SmackDown.

Cody is famous for winning the first of his two Intercontinental titles by defeating Ezekial Jackson in the Smackdown episode. He held the title until WrestleMania 28 in 2012 when he lost it to The Big Show.

9. Shelton Benjamin

• Full name: Shelton James Benjamin
• Date of birth: 9 July 1975
• Age: 48 years as of March 2024
• Nationality: American
• Days: 244

Benjamin is one of the longest-reigning WWE Intercontinental champions. He won the first of his three titles by defeating Chris in October 2004. His reign ended following a defeat by Carlito in his first night on Raw after being drafted from Smackdown in 2005.

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WWE

8. The Rock

• Full name: Dwayne Douglas Johnson
• Date of birth: 2 May 1972
• Age: 51 years as of March 2024
• Nationality: American
• Days: 264

Dwayne is an American actor, businessman, and professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, performing on the SmackDown brand as a member of The Bloodline. The Rock is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

Stone Cold Steve Austin handed the Rock the title in December during the 1997 edition of the Raw. He defended it for 264 days after losing to Triple H in Summerslam in August 1998.

7. Mr. Perfect

• Full name: Curtis Michael Hennig
• Date of birth: 28 March 1958
• Nationality: American
• Days: 280

Despite all the WWE Intercontinental Championship held during the 80s, the decade ended with the Ultimate Ring Warrior as the champion. After Perfect won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 6, he vacated his Intercontinental Championship, which would later open the door for what his fans consider The Perfect Intercontinental Champion.

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Boxing

6. Greg Valentine

• Full name: Jonathan Anthony Wisniski
• Date of birth: 20 September 1951
• Age: 72 as of March 2024
• Nationality: American
• Days: 285

Greg Valentine, famously dubbed The Hammer, is known for winning his Intercontinental title to the opponent, Tito Santana. His victory came during the Maple Leaf Wrestling held in September 1984 and later lost it at a WWE House Show in July 1985.

Aside from the IC, Valentine held more than 40 championships over five decades, including the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship and WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship.

5. Don Muraco

• Full name: Don Muraco
• Date of birth: 10 September 1949
• Age: 74 as of March 2024
• Nationality: American
• Days: 384

Don Muraco is an American-based retired professional wrestler best known for appearing in the World Wrestling Federation from 1981 to 1988. During his career stint, he held the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship twice. Additionally, he was crowned the inaugural winner of the King of the Ring tournament in 1985.

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WWE

One of four wrestlers to hold the belt for over a year, Don won his second IC Title from Pedro Morales during the WWF tournaments on MSG Network in January 1983. However, he lost the belt to Tito Santana in February 1984.

4. Macho Man Randy Savage

• Full name: Randy Mario Poffo
• Date of birth: 15 November 1952
• Nationality: American
• Days: 414

The late Randy Mario Poffo, better known by his ring name Macho Man Randy Savage, was an American-based professional wrestler, rapper and former professional baseball player. He is best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation WWF and later WWE.

The legendary wrestler won his solo Intercontinental Championship from Tito Santana during the WWF on NESN in February 1986. He, however, lost the title to Ricky Steamboat during the WrestleMania 4, held in March 1987.

3. Pedro Morales

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NFL

• Full name: Pedro Antonio Morales
• Date of birth: 22 October 1942
• Nationality: American
• Days: 424

Pedro Morales is among the best WWE wrestlers in history. He won the WWE Heavyweight and Tag Team championships once and the IC twice during his time in the company. His second reign lasted for 424 days before being ended by Don Muraco.

Other than the IC titles he won, Morales is remembered for being the first Triple Crown champion in the sport's history.

2. The Honky Tonk Man

• Full name: Roy Wayne Farris
• Date of birth: 25 January 1953
• Age: 71 as of March 2024
• Nationality: American
• Days: 454

At the second position sits The Honky Tonk Man, who is among the top 5 longest-reigning Intercontinental champions of all time. He defeated Ricky Steamboat in June 1987 during the Superstars of Wrestling. It ended a year later at Summerslam when he lost it to The Ultimate Warrior.

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Athletics

1. Gunther

• Full name: Walter Hahn
• Date of birth: 20 August 1987
• Age: 36 as of March 2024
• Nationality: American
• Days: 634

Gunther is currently the longest-reigning WWE Intercontinental Champion of all time. He has left an indelible mark during his time as an IC. His reign lasted 634 days, showcasing his dominance and ability to overcome all skilled opponents.

Trivia

For athletes, every day is a struggle for a particular title, medal, or championship. In wrestling, the Intercontinental Championship is one of the titles.

What is the shortest Intercontinental title reign in history?

According to the Sportster, Dean Douglas holds the shortest Intercontinental Championship reign in history. It allegedly lasted for less than a day. The former wrestling champ was awarded the title in October 1995 following Shawn Michaels' forfeit.

How long did Gunther's Intercontinental Championship last?

Gunther is currently the longest-reigning WWE Intercontinental Champion of all time. He left an indelible mark as an IC, and his reign lasted 634 days.

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Other Sports

Final word

The longest-reigning WWE Intercontinental Championship has witnessed numerous greats throughout history. Among them, Gunther, Don Muraco, and Randy Savage stand out as they have set records yet to be broken.

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