Which was the more prestigious midcard title in the 80s?

[Tastycles]

In the 1980s both the NWA and WWF had a clear second tier championship namely the United States and Intercontinental titles respectively. The US title was held in that decade by 6 people that were World Champions at some stage in their career, and by some of those considered the best without a world title in Tully Blanchard, Magnum TA and Rowdy Roddy Piper.

The Intercontinental title was held by only four World Champions, but it's reigns were generally longer, and include some of the most famous matches of all time, perhaps most notably those between Savage and Steamboat. On the other hand, the longest reigning champion was Honky Tonk Man, who is probably the worst wrestler to have held either title in the 80s.

So, which title do you think was the most prestigious in that decade?

 

[y2jvaljcasta]

I'm gonna have to go with the United States title although Im a little young to have been there thru most of the 80's when I look back at the title holders, I think the US tiutle had more prestige. I mean Ric Flair held the title 4 times, and others like Piper, Harley Race, Tully. Although I do like the fact that there were less IC Title holders (15) in the 80's and the US Title had 40 holders in the 80's...

Both produce great matches but I agree that the IC matches are more historic and memorable!

I agree the IC title is more glam, or at least was, now it seems like niether title really matter!

 

[degenxr1]

I would say the US Title-it seemed truly like the step to the World Title-it was always TV title-us title to World---the IC was more glam; and well you knew the IC champ very rarely faced the world champ--it felt like the second title

One thing I always liked no matter who was the number one contender-they US champion was always free to say he was the number one contender-at anytime he could face the World Champion; but for some reason he had his own issues--it seemed so credible--I loved Randy and Honky; but it seemed less serious than the US.

 

[ExPeRiEnCe KhAoS]

I have to say the most prestigious was the Intercontinental Title, and for many reasons in the 80's. When you were the IC Champ back then, it was like being the ECW Champion today, and almost guaranteed you a title shot, and this won't have anything to do with the 80's, but people like Hunter got their World Title pushes from Intercontinental Title, I didn't have much to say, just that.

 

[Tenta]

I'm so glad this isn't limited to singles belts, otherwise this may have well been a battle over what was better; the US Title, or the IC Title. I was about to try and make an argument for the TV Title, because it used to be a valuable commodity. But I'm going to have to go with WCW Tag Team Championship, and not even for the names that held the belt, but for the matches that used to be held on a frequent basis. Now, plenty of names did hold the belts during the eighties that carried WCW thorugh what it's trying times. The Road Warriors got a run with the belts, Dusty often found someone to team with (Usually Manny Fernandez) to get a run with the title. Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood carried the division for a little while, as did Arn Anderson, either teaming with his brother Ole as part of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew, or teaming up with a member of the Horsemen to grab the Tag Team Titles. Even the Briscos had a nice little run with the belts. But the reason I mainly love these belts was because of the Midnight Express and The Rock N' Roll Express.

Edge and Christian and The Hardys had nothing on these guys. This was absolute beautiful tag team wrestling, at its best. Jim Cornette was the perfect mouthpiece for the Midnight Express, and this was during the absolute prime of Bobby Eaton and the best version of the R'N'R Express, Ricky and Robert. I'm often puzzled in seeing whether I like The R'N'R or the British Bulldogs more, and I've finally come at peace with saying that The Rock N' Roll Express was the best tag team of the eighties. Their wars with the Midnights at all teritorries and even with the Koloffs were things I used marvel over. It was usually the best workers in WCW, and they put meaning into having explosive, exciting tag team matches. Great tag teams was WCW's calling card for so long, be it the Steiners, the Road Warriors, the Midnight Express, and even the Freebirds for a cup of coffee. This was easily the best decade for tag team wrestling in WCW, and was unfortunately overshadowed by the powerhouse that the WWE was in the eighties. While the WWE got all the attention, WCW was putting just as magnificent tag team matches with the best workers in the promotion, and getting fans excited for what was to come in the main event. I'd certainly agree that the WCW/NWA mid card was absolutely stacked at this point, Tasty, and admittedly, had you not taken the US Title, I would have totally sung its praises. But the WCW Tag Team Titles were the most exciting matches in WCW, and was as good a division as there's ever been in wrestling


Edit: ..... The point was to pick between the IC Title and US Belt? I stand by my decision. As great as the US Strap was, I still go with the WCW Tag Team Titles

 

[THTRobtaylor]

During the 80's I you would have to go with the IC title, as many of the guys who held it moved on to World Title reigns like Savage, Steamboat (albiet in NWA)... the more interesting belt in the 90's was the NWA title or WCW International title as it ended up... Rick Rude, Ric Flair, Masa Chono, Sting... that belt could have been so much more...

 

[Tattooed Jesus]

I say neither, the NWA TV Title was the title I remember the most! Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Dusty Rhodes, William Regal all held this title and it really meant something.

I would bring back the TV Title over any title and I think it would be one of the biggest draws on every show.

 

[XgringolocoX]

It's close. I think just by the people holding said title the US has it. AS said before IC reigns were longer though. You can argue that the IC was contended on a bigger stage. What US title match is on par with the place and the actual match that Macho & Steamboat had?
I guess I lean toward the IC belt. Pedro Moralas, Don Muraco, Steamboat, Macho, Santana, Valentine, Rude, Pat Patterson....not too shabby of a list.
Oh and for the record I've blocked the Honkey Tonk Man's reign from my memory. So therefore it doesn't count. Let this be the last time it's mentioned for all of human history.

 

[luxferre]

Would have to go with the I-C title. Some great matches aside, it made genuine stars of Savage And Warrior. 2 of the biggest star's of that era.

 

[Mr_billy]

I'd have to go with the IC title, because with Hogan's strangle hold on the World title, this was the belt everyone fought for. It almost had the same feel as the world title does today.

 

[DL23]

Intercontinental belt was more out there the harder working guys, more so when the World champ was Hulk Hogan, anyone in the WWF back then that held the IC belt, we're literally the tops guys in their feild, face/heel, good matches/entertaining personality etc etc.

I'm not to in the know of the NWA US title, so my basis are a bit biased.

 

[Flair is Overrated]

This is apples and oranges. The IC Title doesn't mean much now, but from the time when Tito Santana was feuding with Savage until Honkey Tonk Man won it, the holder of the IC belt was the number two guy in the WWF, and therefore the number two guy in all of professional wrestling. During the golden age of wrestling, the IC belt was not a midcard title. It was a main event title. When Ricky Steamboat held the IC Title, it was far more impressive than when he held the NWA Title. During the 80's, the NWA was the minor leagues, and the WWF was the big leagues. Would you rather be a AAA all-star, or a major league role player? Lanny Poffo and Koko B. Ware have more to brag about than Magnum TA and Tully Blanchard.

 

[MattMoses]

To be quite honest, this wasn't a hard choice at all. If we're just talking about the United States and the Intercontinental championships, then it's the US title no doubt. Better champions, higher quality of matches and much more memorable feuds.

One thing I need to get out of the way is the argument of "lengthy reigns" that Intercontinental champions had in the 80's. Lengthy reigns are great when there's good stuff behind it - great matches, intriguing feuds which you care about. Pedro Morales and Don Muraco both had reigns over one year in length. Pretty cool, right? Can somebody name me a great match or something memorable from these reigns which people cared about? I doubt it. The same goes for Greg Valentine. Forgetting the several entertaining matches with Santana, what did he do in those ten months holding the title? The only lengthy title reign which I'd consider great was Savage's. Then you've got the Honky Tonk Man...Enough said.

The length of US title reigns were generally shorter, but I'd like to think that's because the competiton in that division was much more stacked at more points during the 80's, and it kept interest at a maxium in the title. But even then, the average length is probably close to 4-5 months, which I think is completely reasonable for a believable title reign.

When taking into consideration the amount of great matches behind each title, I'd easily give it to the US championship. The IC title produced some fantastic matches during the 80's, but once I get past the initial five or so which come to mind, I struggle to think. Dating back to the early 80's with Piper and Valentine, to the classics between Magnum and Blanchard, up to the end of the decade where Windham and Luger were putting on some very good matches, there's a boatload of great stuff. I just can't say the same for the Intercontinental title.

I'd say the IC title meant more in the decade later, especially with the likes of Bret, Shawn and Perfect. The IC title would take the 90's without deliberation, but the 80's go to the US.