13. Intercontinental Championship Match: Triple H Vs. Jeff Hardy (SmackDown, April 12 2001)
For the first time in three years, Triple H was the reigning and defending intercontinental champion. On the heels of a brutal, violent beatdown of The Hardy Boyz and Lita days earlier on Raw, he was tasked with facing an intense Jeff Hardy who was hellbent on avenging the asskicking he and Matt received, as well as the brutal steel chair assault suffered by Lita. The Game worked over the injured body of his opponent but no amount of pain or punishment that he dealt to the rainbow-haired warrior could kill his determination, nor could it prepare him for what was coming his way later in the bout. Despite controlling the bout from the onset, it was last-second interference courtesy of Matt Hardy and a steel chair shot to the face of the IC champion that doomed Triple H to defeat. The King of Kings dropped his title that night in what was one of the biggest upsets in SmackDown history. The crowd erupted for Hardys unexpected victory and, despite defeat, The Game had been responsible for one of the greatest moments to ever occur on the blue brand (he got his belt back on the next episode of Raw, natch).
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.
