IrishCanadian25
Going on 10 years with WrestleZone
The news has hit and been quoted on these boards a few times already. With Jeff Hardy in the MITB match at Wrestlemania, the Intercontinental Title will not be defended for the 6th consecutive Wrestlemania. Think of that in context of the six years prior:
Wrestlemania 18 - Rob Van Dam over William Regal for the title
Wrestlemania 17 - Chris Jericho over William Regal to retain
Wrestlemania 2K - Jericho vs Angle vs Benoit, IC / Euro Titles
Wrestlemania 15 - Road Dogg over Shamrock, Venis, Golddust
Wrestlemania 14 - The Rock over Shamrock, DQ
Wrestlemania 13 - Rocky Maivia over The Sultan
Ok, now let's look at the 6 years since:
Wrestlemania 24 - No Title Defense (Jeff Hardy, champ, MITB)
Wrestlemania 23 - No Title Defense (Jeff Hardy, champ, MITB)
Wrestlemania 22 - No Title Defense (Shelton Benjamin, champ, MITB)
Wrestlemania 21 - No Title Defense (Shelton Benjamin, champ, MITB)
Wrestlemania 20 - No Title Defense (Randy Orton, champ, handicap match)
Wrestlemania 19 - Title Inactive
That's just Wrestlemania. Then take into account the title's relative obscurity overall for the last couple years.
NOW - the Tag Team Titles. I am talking about the RAW World Titles:
In 2005, the titles were held by 5 different teams: Conway & Grenier, Tajiri & Regal, Hurricane & Rosey, Cade & Murdoch, Show & Kane. 3 of those 5 teams were actualy, legit tag teams with only Show & Kane and Tajiri & Regal being "thrown together.
In 2006, the titles were held by 3 teams. The Spirit Squad, Flair & Piper, and Rated RKO. This is where things went south. The Spirit Squad was a 5 man team, not an actual tag team. Flair and Piper were a Cyber Sunday novelty. Rated RKO were given the belts to establish their feud with DX and their alliance as top heels. I call 2006 "The Death of the Tag Division."
In 2007, we are back to 5 different teams (one with 2 reigns) as Shawn Michaels and John Cena, The Hardyz, Cade & Murdoch (x2), Kendrick and London, and now Rhodes & Holly held the belts. The number of title reigns? Few and far between. Pay Per View bookings? Limited at best. Storyline buildup? HA!
So I ask you, loyal posters, over the last 3-5 years, which championship has been disrespected MORE? The Intercontinental Championship or the World Tag Team Championship?
Wrestlemania 18 - Rob Van Dam over William Regal for the title
Wrestlemania 17 - Chris Jericho over William Regal to retain
Wrestlemania 2K - Jericho vs Angle vs Benoit, IC / Euro Titles
Wrestlemania 15 - Road Dogg over Shamrock, Venis, Golddust
Wrestlemania 14 - The Rock over Shamrock, DQ
Wrestlemania 13 - Rocky Maivia over The Sultan
Ok, now let's look at the 6 years since:
Wrestlemania 24 - No Title Defense (Jeff Hardy, champ, MITB)
Wrestlemania 23 - No Title Defense (Jeff Hardy, champ, MITB)
Wrestlemania 22 - No Title Defense (Shelton Benjamin, champ, MITB)
Wrestlemania 21 - No Title Defense (Shelton Benjamin, champ, MITB)
Wrestlemania 20 - No Title Defense (Randy Orton, champ, handicap match)
Wrestlemania 19 - Title Inactive
That's just Wrestlemania. Then take into account the title's relative obscurity overall for the last couple years.
NOW - the Tag Team Titles. I am talking about the RAW World Titles:
In 2005, the titles were held by 5 different teams: Conway & Grenier, Tajiri & Regal, Hurricane & Rosey, Cade & Murdoch, Show & Kane. 3 of those 5 teams were actualy, legit tag teams with only Show & Kane and Tajiri & Regal being "thrown together.
In 2006, the titles were held by 3 teams. The Spirit Squad, Flair & Piper, and Rated RKO. This is where things went south. The Spirit Squad was a 5 man team, not an actual tag team. Flair and Piper were a Cyber Sunday novelty. Rated RKO were given the belts to establish their feud with DX and their alliance as top heels. I call 2006 "The Death of the Tag Division."
In 2007, we are back to 5 different teams (one with 2 reigns) as Shawn Michaels and John Cena, The Hardyz, Cade & Murdoch (x2), Kendrick and London, and now Rhodes & Holly held the belts. The number of title reigns? Few and far between. Pay Per View bookings? Limited at best. Storyline buildup? HA!
So I ask you, loyal posters, over the last 3-5 years, which championship has been disrespected MORE? The Intercontinental Championship or the World Tag Team Championship?