10 Times Title Belts Were Horribly Disrespected

10. Bigger Things

In late-1997, Stone Cold Steve Austin was irrefutably the next breakout megastar in professional wrestling. Without a shred of hyperbole, 'The Rattlesnake' was on the cusp of something very special indeed, and like most transcendent movements in wrestling, it was something everybody associated with the product could universally feel.

A minor hitch in the ascent was the certain Intercontinental Title draped over his shoulder next to his very injured neck.

Forced to surrender the gold whilst partially recovering from the scary SummerSlam tombstone from Owen Hart that ended his career, Austin simply had to regain the title to complete their story, but was far less interested in laying down for the next man in line for the honour.

Rather than lose to a rapidly-improving Rocky Maivia, Stone Cold handed over his formerly beloved prize, rather dismissively inferring that he had 'bigger fish to fry' anyway.

As a cocky young heel, The Rock was only too grateful to accept the gift, which slightly glossed over the otherwise inexcusable derision.

Austin wasn't finished either. He caught Rocky with a quick stunner and stole the belt back, lobbing it miles off a bridge into a nearby river.