WWE: Legacy of the secondary titles
In the world of professional wrestling, the biggest prize a performer can win is the top tier titles. In a company like the WWE, there have been some prestigious titles, with the biggest being the WWE championship.
The history of the WWE title goes back to the 1960s, and major names such as Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, The Undertaker etc have all held the title. With the WWE title being the most prestigious title in professional wrestling at the moment, it is every performer’s dream who makes it to the WWE to win the WWE title one day, marking their names beside some of the greatest in the history of this great industry.
Other than the WWE championship, there has been one more championship that has had a rich legacy. With the legendary Pat Patterson being the very first performer to hold this title, it is considered to be the second most prestigious title in professional wrestling.
Although some might debate that the World Heavyweight championship is the second most prestigious title in the WWE, those who know the legacy of the Intercontinental championship say otherwise. Performers such as Bret Hart, Mr. Perfect and the likes held on to this title.
There was a point in the company when this title was claimed to be “The work horse’s title”, exemplifying the prestige and honour to win the WWF Intercontinental championship. Whenever a guy was ready to be groomed as the champion, he was given the Intercontinental championship, to validate and recognize his efforts.
Who can forget ‘The Macho Man’ Randy Savage holding the title? The Intercontinental title was always considered to be one of the most precious titles in professional wrestling history.
Coming to the current scheme of things, other than the Intercontinental championship, there is one other title which is considered to be a second tier title, and has its own rich heritage and legacy.
The WWE United States Heavyweight championship started under the banner of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), being held by greats such as Ric Flair, Sting and the likes, before being consumed by WCW, becoming the WCW United States heavyweight championship.
Many great battles were fought for this title; who can forget the incredible 7 match series between Chris Benoit and Booker T for this prestigious title? In WCW, this title was as popular as the Intercontinental championship in the WWF. The person who held this title was considered to be the next World champion in WCW.