10 Worst WWE Intercontinental Title Matches This Decade

6. Cody Rhodes Vs. Ted DiBiaise, Jr. - Night Of Champions 2011

Big Show Cody Rhodes Extreme Rules 2012
WWE.com

Unlike some of the matches on this list, which weren't given even half a chance to fulfil their potential, this clash between former stablemates really should have been a lot better than it was.

With a shared history as long-time friends and tag team champions, there should have been an undercurrent of emotion here. There wasn't. Rhodes at one point slaps his former ally, but it doesn't precipitate a furious onslaught - rather another tepid back and forth sequence which Rhodes actually gets the better of.

Elsewhere, it's Florida Championship Wrestling by numbers stuff, featuring performances practically indistinguishable from those entered by several others on this list. Rhodes does dish out some entertaining trash talk, referring to DiBiaise, Jr. derisively as the 'Marine' while slapping him about the head. Still, while Cole's assertion that DiBiaise, Jr. had never looked better than when he'd had a paper bag over his head the previous week is typically harsh, the man has a point: the performance is nothing if not anonymous.

Michael Cole's usual roll call of past champions did neither man any favours - it simply served to highlight just how inadequate Rhodes and DiBiase, Jr. were in comparison.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!