The United States Championship was a NWA / WCW Title to began with, it was created in 1975. It's 1st Champion was Harley Race he won it in Tallahasse Florida. But also like the Intercontinental title it has a who's who list of Superstars and future World Champions.
Terry Funk,Ric Flair,Ricky Steamboat,Jimmy Snuka,Rowdy Roddy Piper,Greg Valentine,Mangnum T.A.,Tully Blanchard,Lex Luger,Sting,Steve Austin,Eddie Gurrero,Curt Henning,DDP,Goldberg,Bret"Hitman"Hart,Scott Hall,Chris Benoit,Booker T,JBL,Mr.Kennedy,MVP,Matt Hardy,Kurt Angle,Edge,and the current Champion Shelton Benjamin.
Now if you look at both list's carefully you will see that a good portion of the superstars on both lists have held both titles or have gone onto to be WWE / WCW Champions. Now this is where i think that the I.C. Title is a way far superior title. I can't remember a lot of classic U.S. Title matches in the 33 year history of this title.But here are some
Starcade 1983 dog collar match- Rowdy piper vs. Greg Valentine- For it's time this was a bloody and brutal match from start to finsh. This should have been the beginning of Hardcore Wrestling! And for the 1st time brought some legitamacy to the U.S. Title.
Magnum T.A. vs. Tully Blanchard- from Starcade 1985 and for about 2 years this rivalary was one of the best in wrestling history! This not only helped elvated these 2 careers, but also elevated the U.S. Title and the 4 Horsemen!
Clash of the Champions 28 1994- This match in a way reminded me of Steamboat's classic Wrestlemania 3 encounter with Savage! AND if Eric Bischoff would have saw Austin's potiental I think WCW would still be in business today!!! This one was in and out of the ring had alot of near falls this one kept you on your feet and both men really put the U.S. Title back in the lime light!!!
Chris Benoit vs. Booker T Best of 7 Series (Nitro and Great American Bash Final 1998) This was the classic best of 7 series that still to me today make the U.S. Title a "WorkHorse Title" that put both men on the map and started these 2 men's World Title dreams become a Reality!
Then WWE purchases WCW in 2001 and the U.S. Title became there's. And yes there has been some great U.S. title moments in the 7 years. But not enough for me to say that J.R. on Smackdown starts making this title sound more important than the Intercontiental title. I also know that J.R. on occasion had that same kind of bulid up for the I.C. title when he was on RAW but to me historically and as a fan and it being the WWE creation it should have been that way!
Also Historically the United States Title has been vacated more times than any other championship in wrestling history so how can we make this more important than the Intercontinetal Title!!
Everyone from the wrestling fan to the wrestling historians will have their point of view on this subject. But from my view the Intercontinental Championship will always be the "WorkHorse" Title and the stepping stone for many future WWE Champions!
In the 2008 WWE Dvd "Triple H King Of Kings" HHH talks about the Intercontinetal Championship use to be known as "The WorkHorse Ttile" Meaning the I.C. Title was used to get your Up and coming stars Ready to become WWE Champion! The I.C. Champ back in the 80's even into today would have the more longer exciting matches hence the name "WorkHorse Title" But the thing that bothers me is that the WWE is starting to put more emphasis on the U.S. title instead of their own creation the I.C. Title! let me give you some History of both Titles.
WWE Intercontinetal Title- This Title was 1st introduced to the WWWF in 1979. The 1st I.C.. Champion Pat Paterson won the title in Rio DE Jinero. But the who's who list of Superstars that have been I.C. Champion is unbelievable! Pedro Merales,Don Muraco,Randy Savage,Ricky "the dragon" Steamboat,The Ultimate Warrior, Rick Rude,Mr.Perfect Curt Henning,Bret"Hitman"Hart,HBK, Hall and Nash, HHH,The Rock,Owen Hart,Stone Cold Steve Austin,Edge,Chris Jericho,Kurt Angle,Chris Benoit,Jeff Hardy,Kane,Eddie,Gurrero,RVD,Randy Orton,Ric Flair,John Morrison,and current 2 time Champion Santino Marella!
As you can see a very long list of Superstars in the last 29 Years that have held that prestidgous title. And The wars that went on over the I.C Title are some of the historic moments in WWE History!!!
Don Muraco vs. Jimmy Snuka- The night the high flying style of wrestling was born Snuka climbing the cage and splashing Muraco from 15 feet high!! Also the night that Mick Foley knew he wanted to be a wrestler.
WrestleMania 3 Savage vs. Steamboat- This one was the classic to set the standard for Intercontinetal Title matches! High flying,toe to toe action for 30 plus minutes. Once again you have to see this match to understand why it's a classic. That night both men elavted this Championship to new heights!
Bret "Hitman" Hart to me was the Greatest I.C. Champion of all time his classics with Mr.Perfect SummerSlam 1991, Wrestlemania 8 against Rowdy Roddy Piper and the 1st ever WWE ladder match against HBK reminds why this title is an important part of WWE history.
And this last match I will fast forward to 2004 because to me it's the last I.C. title match that I can remember to have any meaning to this historic title! Backlash 2004 Randy Orton (c) vs. Mick Foley. Yes it was a hardcore match but it was to me the young brash champion vs. Mick who was all for tradition and wanted to bring some class back to the I.C. title.
Here's another piece of history for you? The last time the WWE Intercontinental Title was defended at Wrestlemania was 2002 WM 18!! Now for a title that has had so many great Wrestlemania momements WM 3,5,8,10,16 is a shame. By The way the U.S. title which will be part 2 of this blog has been defended at Wrestlemania 3 times since 2002.
Also in my estimation sometimes i think we just throw around the I.C. belt because of my point throughout this blog the WWE doesen't care about it's own creation they have thrown away the meaning of this historic title and what's it's meant in it's 29 years of elevating superstar after superstar!! Please WWE bring back the Intercontinetal Title back to it's rightful place in wrestling history!!!! Make it the "WorkHorse" Title Again!!!
I know i said today would be my "WorkHorse Title" Blog!!! But after doing some homework that will have to wait till tomorrow!!! trust me it's well worth the wait?
Tonight's blog is something i was thinking about on tuesday which is Gimmick's! More specfically Stupid Gimmick's that could make you or break you!!!! The 80's and the 90's were known for there Gimmicks. Some made stars others not so much!!! Here's some and see if you can remember them? Doink The Clown, Duke "the dumpster"Drosse, Mantar,Aldo Montoyo, Dean Douglas,The Blue Blazer,Brother Love,Man Moutain Rock,Waylon Mercies,Nailz,Sparky Plug,Dr. Issac Yankum,The Ringmaster,The Sultan!! Any way the point is some of these stupid Gimmick's spawned Superstars.
The RingMaster=Stone Cold Steve Austin
Dr.Issac Yankum=Kane
The Blue Blazer=Owen Hart
Sparky Plug=Bob"Hardcore"Holly
The Sultan=Rakishi
Sometimes Stars get repackaged like X-Pac his name was swicthed like 3 times over a 3 week period! The Kid,The Lighting Kid, Then Finally 1-2-3 Kid!!! Hawkins and Ryder were the Major Brothers before Armageddon 2007!
Sometime Changes can be a good thing!!!!! Until tomorrow!!!!!
Hello Everyone, I took a day off today from writing a blog because i have so many idea's i didn't know where to start? Which makes me think if the WWE really does think about it's direction sometimes! There are storyline issues,releases of superstars,determining who gets the big pushes and who sit's back and waits! Hulk Hogan made a comment in the nWo DVD that the wrestling business moves much faster today than it did in the day! Which i think is a problem!
Don't get me wrong I love these new superstars such as Evan Bourne,Gavin spears,Ricky Ortiz, and others. But i think if we pace our self with the storylines and make them longer we can have better storylines and focus on the wrestler's and the action! Like the HBK/Jericho/Batista fueds that has been the best storyline in years and why because we are focusing on the storyline we are feeling HBK's pain because that is what a true storyline does it draws you to the charecter. Or Jeff And Matt Hardy, we all want to see them become major champions because we feel what they are going through. Do you think i give a damn rather or not a poll shows me who is the bigger superstar! Hell show it in the ring!! We need storyline writers that don't go back 10 to 15 years ago to pull some old trick out of a hat!! New we need new and more focus on stars like Carlito he's right he does deserve a push!! I love HHH don't get me wrong but it's time to move on!! NEW BLOOD!!! NEW CHAMPIONS!!! NEW IDEA'S!!!
Ok, i've ranted long enough!! Tomorrow will be a blog on something near and dear to my heart The workhorse titles "The Intercontiental and United States Titles" And remember to go to the forum section and sign the petition that my good friend Fefe started on having career retrospects on Trish Stratus and Lita i tell you a 3 disc dvd set right now would be sweet!!!
Hello Fan Nation, Have you ever wanted your favorite WWE superstars story told!!! with all those extra's and matches you remember watching!!!! WWE dvd's are hot sellers they mostly rank in the top 10 sports dvd's!!! The following is also a petition to have LIta And Trish Stratus entire career stories told!!! These future Hall Of Famers have paved the way for today's WWE diva!!! So in the forums section you can sign this petiton under Lita And Trish DVD's. Or you can sign here and leave any comment for any WWE Superstar that you think deserve the DVD treatment?? And i would like to thank Fefe as this was her wonderful idea to have these 2 remarkable stories told thank you Fefe!!!!
