Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated’s Extra Mustard recently spoke to former WWE Intercontinental Champions Wade Barrett, Santino Marella, Dolph Ziggler, Ricky Steamboat and more. Barrasso asked each talent what the IC Title means to them and if it has lost its shine, and below are some highlights:
• Santino Marella:
What does the Intercontinental championship mean to you?
When I decided I wanted to become a professional wrestler in 1998, the title I actually set my sights on was the Intercontinental title. The heavyweight championship is the main title, but this is a super significant title–it’s basically a world championship. Once you have this title, you’re guaranteed to work and defend it all year.
Has the title lost some of its shine over the years?
It’s never lost its shine to me. Sometimes, it takes a backseat to the world heavyweight title, but I prefer that title. It’s my favorite title. When I debuted and won that championship, my friends back home knew I wanted that title and said, ‘Man, you got it on your first day!’ So that was pretty cool.
• Wade Barrett:
What does the Intercontinental championship mean to you?
I’m a five-time Intercontinental champion. It means a huge amount to the guys, and you need to remember the era we grew up in.
Has the title lost some of its shine over the years?
Guys like Bret “The Hitman” Hart, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H and my hero “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith all held that title, so it means as much to us today as it did to them back then.
• Dolph Ziggler:
What does the Intercontinental championship mean to you?
This is the championship I grew up watching, thinking, ‘This is what I want to do. I want to be the man who represents this company with this title.’
Has the title lost some of its shine over the years?
No, but it is very simple – stories were all about larger than life stars and titles were on the back burner for a little while. It’s OK, it happens. Everybody can’t be in the main event every single night at all times. It’s a great little peak and valley, just like has happened in my career. I was defending the title multiple times a week and it was like putting some equity in myself. The title was making me mean so much more.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
