8 WWE Champions Who Revived A Dying Title

5. Ric Flair - Intercontinental Championship

Neville Cruiserweight Champion
WWE

Despite being the oldest Intercontinental Champion in WWE history, Ric Flair's reign with the oval gold in 2005 was as much a renaissance for the championship as it was for 'The Nature Boy' himself.

At the time, the IC gold was firmly etched in lower mid-card status, and hadn't even appeared at WrestleMania since 2002. However, when 'The Dirtiest Player in the Game' defeated Carlito at Unforgiven to become champ, all of a sudden, the Intercontinental Title became so much more than a mid-card afterthought. Instead, it became a title worthy of a 16 time World Heavyweight Champion.

Flair began defending the gold in high profile matches, including a memorable steel cage match with Triple H at Taboo Tuesday '05 and another memorable encounter against Edge at New Year's Revolution '06. Naitch would hold the gold for 155 days, before eventually relinquishing it to Shelton Benjamin prior to WrestleMania 22.

The Intercontinental Championship was the last singles title of Flair's entire career. Winning it made him a Triple Crown Champion in WWE. As the last singles title of his legendary career, the belt also gains a notable place in Flair's own iconic history, giving the championship further importance in the annals of wrestling folklore.

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Occasional wrestler, full-time gym rat and lifelong lover of the grapple game. Would probably buy you a shot of Jack at the bar in exchange for witty banter...and preferably more Jack. @MartynGrant88 for more wrestling-related musings and weight room wisecracks!