WWE Intercontinental Championship (1979)

The WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship dates back to 1979, first held by Pat Patterson.

The HHH Era (2022) started off with the 180th Champion Shinsuke ‘King’ Nakaumura, who was the Intercontinental Champion at the turn of 2022, He defeated former champion Apollo Crews (champ for 124 Days) on 08/13/21. Apollo Crews had held the belt since Wrestlemania 37 when he defeated Big E in a Nigerian Drum Fight on 04/11/21 in Tampa, FL.

This was Nakamura’s 2nd reign, he won his first at Extreme Rules 07/14/19 in Philadelphia against Finn Balor, and moved the title to Smackdown until 2023.

This era has been dominated by Gunther’s 666 day reign from 06/10//22-04//06/24, ending at Wrestlemania XL (40). Gunther was the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, and during his reign the belt returned to RAW.

Sami Zayn & Ricochet had brief reigns after Nakamura, and Zayn was able to end Gunther’s reign, and is the current champion. Zayn’s current reign is his 4th (1st was 2020) and his longest yet.

So far since 01/01/22 there have been 5 champions.