20 Longest WWE Intercontinental Title Reigns

After the disintegration of Legacy, it was Ted DiBiase Jr. who was destined for big things, right? Right? Err, no.

Whereas DiBiase would flounder in the lower end of the card, it would be Cody Rhodes who would step up into the spotlight.

Cody's first Intercontinental Title reign began after he defeated Ezekiel Jackson on an August 2011 edition of Smackdown. He'd go on to tangle with the likes of Ted DiBiase, Randy Orton, Sheamus, John Morrison, Booker T, and then the Big Show, managing to still being a dastardly heel but also a fighting champion. It would be against Show that he'd eventually lose the title, dropping the belt at Wrestlemania 28.

Rhodes' first run with the IC Title is likely the most important of the last decade, with his 236-day reign the longest run with the belt for 5 years. His time with Intercontinental gold is also historical is that it reintroduced the classic belt design of the 1980s and early 1990s, which combined with the way Cody carried himself and performed in the ring, all helped to give the Intercontinental Title a shot in the arm and made it seem important once more.

Truth be told, Cody's time with the belt is the last time that it really felt relevant.