7 Wrestlers Who Were The First To Win Equal Championships

2. Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine - WWE Intercontinental & United States

Both the Intercontinental and United States Championships have histories that stretch way back as far as the 1970s. The lineage of the IC strap goes back to 1979, four years after the first ever NWA United States Heavyweight Champion was crowned. Pat Patterson was the first holder of the former, whilst the legendary Harley Race was the inaugural winner of the latter.

But who was the first to win both? Well, Ricky Steamboat came close. 'The Dragon' was the 10th United States Champion, winning the title from Ric Flair in 1977. A decade later Steamboat became the second man to hold both, when he defeated 'Macho Man' Randy Savage for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania III.

The first holder of both was involved in a throwaway tag team match at WrestleMania III, and that man is none other than Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine. Valentine became the 6th man to hold the Intercontinental Championship (8th reign overall) when he defeated Tito Santana for the title at a house show in September 1984. Valentine held the title for 285 days before losing it back to Tito inside a steel cage in Baltimore.

By that time Greg Valentine was already a two time United States Champion. Valentine had actually won the US title on three occasions, but his first reign isn't recognised by WWE for reasons unknown. His first recognised reign began in November 1982 - Wahoo McDaniel was the man 'The Hammer' deposed as champion.