Not only is Honky Tonk Man the longest-reigning Intercontinental champion in WWE history, he is one of the rare heels that enticed fans into paying their hard-earned money in hopes of seeing him get his ass handed to him on a nightly basis. Whether it was against someone as far down the ladder as Koko B. Ware of a bona fide main eventer like Randy Savage, Honky Tonk Man defended his title against all comers and took a beating every time. Despite the bumps and bruises he suffered, he always managed to escape with his title intact. It was not uncommon for the Elvis wannabe to intentionally get disqualified or counted out in order to preserve his reign. With every passing week, he infuriated fans to the point that every man, woman and child waited anxiously to see which Superstar would finally wrest the title away from him. They got their answer in the form of a face-painted maniac at the 1988 SummerSlam event. The Ultimate Warrior sprinted to the ring and, in less than one minute, ended a title reign that lasted well over a year. The fans in New York popped as loud as they did all night, the moment made special by the reaction they gave the switch. After everything Honky Tonk Man accomplished as champion, his legacy is that of a hated, despised titleholder who finally got his comeuppance in the form of a seconds-long defeat at the hands of the up-and-coming Warrior. He elevated the title in importance because, as SummerSlam proved, fans wanted desperately to see him get beat. When that time finally came, it went down as one of the most replayed and memorable moments in WWE history.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
