10 Worst WWE Intercontinental Title Matches This Decade

5. Cody Rhodes Vs. The Big Show - Extreme Rules 2012

Big Show Cody Rhodes Extreme Rules 2012
WWE.com

This decade, until recently, has been a particularly poor one in terms of star creation. The entries on this list are almost universally evident of that. Part of the problem is WWE's unwillingness to commit to their talent. By pushing them inconsistently, or insisting on protecting them in defeat, nobody could be expected to really push on.

The finish to this match was a perfect crystallisation of this philosophy. What was the intention here? Did WWE, as they had done at WrestleMania before it, wish to award Show with a reign as a thank you for his years of service? Or did they feel there was merit in and a future to Rhodes' Phantom Of The Opera update?

The finish, which saw Show cause himself the loss by accidentally stepping through the table, committed to neither man. It was almost comically counterproductive. Rhodes didn't look nefarious or clever - he just looked lucky. Conversely, Show didn't come across as unlucky, not that it would even helped him in any way. He just looked like a moron, which is the opposite of how a babyface should be presented.

Inevitably, neither man was no better or worse after their series ended.

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!