10 Most Prestigious Wrestling Titles Of All Time
8. WWF Intercontinental Title
The use of 'F' is deliberate here.
WWE's version of the title, bar the odd fantastic match, is a sorry shadow of its former self. It's not for lack of trying - on the part of the talent, at least. Though it seems like forever ago, Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose's Last Man Standing outing at this year's Royal Rumble Intercontinental Title match was a compelling fusion of logical, old school psychology and state-of-the-art content.
Ultimately, though, it was one of several false dawns. WWE has long since devalued the belt's once magnificent lustre by changing its raison d'être. It used to be the transmogrified stepping stone to main event greatness; now, it mostly adorns the waist of failed main event experiments who have little else to do.
In its heyday, it was prestigious enough to headline large house shows in its own right. It was also borderline revolutionary - fought over in several early to mid-nineties classics, it was literally emblematic of the stylistic shift away from lumbering muscle men, and towards leaner brawlers and technical specialists.
It's almost a shame to see its classic design on WWE television in 2016. It is cruelly reminiscent of a forever lost, bygone era.