Tag: intercontinental title

Intercontinental title match added to WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Fresh off a successful defense at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Penta is already set to defend his Intercontinental Championship again.

WWE has announced that Penta vs. Je’Von Evans for the Intercontinental title will take place on tonight’s episode of Raw from Columbus, Ohio. The match comes just two days after Penta retained over Ethan Page on SNME.

“Intercontinental Champion Penta continues to build his reputation as a true fighting champion as he prepares to battle the dynamic Je’Von Evans in a title match,” WWE.com wrote. “Find out who will leave Raw with the title, tonight at 8 ET/5 PT on Netflix.”

Evans is looking to win the first championship gold of his WWE career. He previously challenged for the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania 42, where Penta won a six-pack ladder match to remain champion.

Having won the belt from Dominik Mysterio back in March, Penta’s IC Championship reign is approaching the three-month mark. It currently stands at 84 days.

Tonight’s Raw is the go-home show for this Sunday’s Clash in Italy PLE. Here is the updated lineup for the episode.

WWE Raw (Monday, May 25) —

  • World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu contract signing for Clash in Italy Tribal Combat match
  • Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez)
  • Intercontinental Champion Penta defends against Je’Von Evans
  • Oba Femi opens the show

John Cena’s WWE retirement match could have championship involved

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The final match of John Cena’s career could potentially have a championship on the line.

In the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that there have been discussions about Cena possibly winning the Intercontinental Championship next month and then defending it in his final match. As of now, WWE’s plans are for Cena to challenge Dominik Mysterio for the IC title at Survivor Series on November 29. Gunther is then planned to be Cena’s last opponent on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Meltzer wrote:

The idea of Cena winning the IC title from Dominik (the match right now is at Survivor Series) and it being in play for the final match with Gunther has been discussed.

Becoming Intercontinental Champion is one of the only WWE accolades that Cena has never achieved. He’s a 17-time World Champion and did hold the WWE Championship one last time earlier in his retirement tour.

Dominik has been IC Champion since April, while Gunther had the longest reign in the title’s history for 666 days in 2022-2024.

There are only four appearances left on Cena’s retirement tour before his career concludes.:

  • Monday: November 10: WWE Raw (Boston, Massachusetts)
  • Monday, November 17: WWE Raw (New York City, New York)
  • Saturday, November 29: WWE Survivor Series (San Diego, California)
  • Saturday, December 13:  WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event (Washington, D.C.)

Cena posted a tweet today reiterating that there is a zero percent chance that he will ever wrestle again after the December 13 date:


Penta names next two goals for WWE career

Posted on by Joseph Currier

At the moment, Penta is focused on two big goals that he has for his WWE career.

The overarching aim for Penta is to “conquer everything” in WWE. But he told the Battleground Podcast he’s narrowed that down to two things he’s focusing on in the present. First, he wants to win the Intercontinental Championship from Dominik Mysterio. Penta then wants to make his mark on WrestleMania history in April 2026.

“I have two goals. The first one is the most important, is the Intercontinental Championship against Dominik Mysterio,” Penta said. “He is a fake luchador. He is a fake son. He is a fake friend. He is, basically, a fake man.

“And the second one is the WrestleMania 42. Because in 2026, Penta will be one of the best matches in all history of the WrestleManias. These are my two goals in my present. So I’m excited. My preparation now — I push the limit in my mind and my body for this kind of stuff. So I’m ready for everything.”

Penta made his WrestleMania debut at WrestleMania 41, taking part in a four-way match where Dominik won the Intercontinental Championship. Dominik has held the title since then, along with adding the AAA Mega Championship to his collection.

When asked about potentially reuniting his Lucha Brothers tag team with Rey Fenix, Penta said he’s enjoying his singles run but would also like to join forces with his brother again and conquer WWE. Teaming up with Fenix against The Usos is one of Penta’s dream matches.

Penta and Fenix are currently on opposite WWE brands with Penta on Raw and Fenix on SmackDown.

IC title match off, Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross added to WWE Night of Champions

Posted on by Bryan Rose

One match is off and another is on for Night of Champions.

During a segment on Monday’s Raw, Adam Pearce told AJ Styles that his match against Dominik Mysterio was off as the Intercontinental Champion wasn’t medically cleared. Pearce told Styles that he would get a shot at Mysterio as soon as he’s ready.

It wasn’t made clear what happened to Mysterio, though he did appear on Raw in several segments. In one interview that aired during commercials, he noted that his ribs weren’t 100 percent. His last match took place on the June 9 edition of Raw, losing a fatal four-way first round King of the Ring match that was won by Sami Zayn.

Zayn would go on to lose in the semifinals to Randy Orton. As he was being interviewed about his loss on Raw, Karrion Kross appeared and continued to needle Zayn, telling him he’d never become World Champion. Zayn finally laid out Kross and told him he had confirmed a match between the two. Kross, lying on the floor, laughed as if that was the plan all along.

Here is the updated card for Night of Champions, which is still set to be held in Saudi Arabia:

WWE Night of Champions, Saturday, June 28, 1 p.m. Eastern time —

  • Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena defends against CM Punk
  • United States Champion Jacob Fatu defends against Solo Sikoa
  • King of the Ring tournament finals: Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes
  • Queen of the Ring tournament finals: Asuka vs. Jade Cargill
  • Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross

Penta challenges Bron Breakker to WWE Intercontinental title match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker might have his challenger for WrestleMania 41.

Monday’s episode of Raw made clear that Penta is next in line to challenge Breakker for the IC title. After Breakker retained against Finn Balor in tonight’s main event, the show-closing angle saw Penta save Breakker from an attack by The Judgment Day. They worked together to take out Dominik Mysterio and Carlito, then Breakker and Penta went face-to-face as the episode ended.

Penta defeated Ludwig Kaiser in a no DQ match earlier in the night and gave a post-match interview where he declared that his next goal is to win the Intercontinental title. An official announcement of the Breakker vs. Penta match has not been made yet — and WWE has not confirmed if it will be one-on-one.

If the match is booked for WrestleMania 41, it will be both Breakker and Penta’s WrestleMania debut. Penta has not been pinned or submitted since joining WWE this January.

A two-time Intercontinental Champion, Breakker’s current reign began in October 2024. He retained against Balor on Raw tonight after botched interference by Dominik, who accidentally caused Balor to lose his balance on the top rope. A Frankensteiner and spear then got the win for Breakker.

Bron Breakker wins Intercontinental title on WWE Raw

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Bron Breakker is Intercontinental Champion once again.

The end of Monday’s Raw saw The Bloodline interfere in the title match between Jey Uso and Breakker, first by appearing at ringside after revealing they had tickets to the show. Sikoa and Jey Uso fought, with Sikoa saying he and Jacob Fatu were there to help. Tonga Loa appeared behind Jey at one point and was taken out with a superkick, and Tama Tonga met the same fate. Sioka entered ringside and explained that he was trying to help him. Breakker tried to spear Uso but instead speared Sikoa.

After Uso got into the ring and hit a splash on Breakker for a nearfall, Tonga and Loa distracted the referee. As Adam Pearce took them away, Uso went for a running spear on the outside but instead was met by a superkick from Fatu, then was taken out with a samoan drop on top of the announce table. Breakker then shoved Uso back in the ring and connected with a spear to win the Intercontinental title for a second time, ending Uso’s reign after only 28 days.

Since his return at Bad Blood, Jimmy Uso has been trying to convince Roman Reigns to bring Jey Uso back into the fold as their feud with the new version of The Bloodline has heated up. Reigns has been hesitant despite The Bloodline having a clear numbers advantage, and Jey has shown no interest. On the last episode of SmackDown, Jey Uso appeared and asked Sikoa to stop trying to divide the family. Sikoa responded that he wasn’t trying to divide the family, he was trying to unite them.

Jey Uso wins Intercontinental title on WWE Raw

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Jey Uso has won his first singles title in WWE.

Uso ended Bron Breakker’s reign as Intercontinental Champion in the main event of Monday’s Raw. The finish had Breakker kick out of a Samoan splash as the two ended up on the outside. Breakker circled around the ring to spear Uso, but Uso dodged at the last second, sending Breakker through the barricade. Uso took Breakker back into the ring, hit a spear, and then connected with another Samoan splash for the surprise win. The show ended with Uso celebrating in the crowd with the title as pyro went off.

This ends Breakker’s reign with the title after 51 days, having defeated Sami Zayn at WWE SummerSlam on August 3.

Uso won a fatal four-way on Raw two weeks ago to become the new number-one contender for Breakker’s title by defeating Butch, Braun Strowman, and Ilja Dragunov. Shortly before the main event, Zayn approached Uso, saying the Intercontinental title meant everything to him, and wanted Uso to make it his.

Jey Uso & Pete Dunne advance in WWE IC title contender’s tournament

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two of the four finalists have advanced in the Intercontinental title contender’s tournament taking place on Raw.

Monday’s show saw Jey Uso and Pete Dunne advance to the finals in two weeks on Raw, where the winner of a fatal-four way match will earn a title match against Bron Breakker. Jey Uso was the first to advance, defeating Karrion Kross and Kofi Kingston in a triple threat match. Uso picked up the victory after Kross knocked Kingston out of the ring. Uso then hit a spear and pinned Kross following a splash off the top rope.

Later in the show, Pete Dunne became the second man to advance. Xavier Woods had hit his springboard elbow off the top rope on The Miz, but Dunne took out Woods and pinned Miz following The Bitter End.

Next week’s show will see two more triple threat matches that will determine the final two spots in the fatal four-way match. Sheamus will face Bronson Reed and Ludwig Kaiser, while Ilja Dragunov will take on Dominik Mysterio and Dragon Lee.

Intercontinental title match announced for WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Intercontinental title will be on the line when WWE Raw takes place from Dayton, Ohio this Monday.

Ilja Dragunov will challenge Sami Zayn for the championship on the Monday, July 15 episode of Raw. The matchup was announced on Saturday afternoon via a video WWE posted with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce.

At Money in the Bank last weekend, Zayn managed to retain his Intercontinental title against Bron Breakker. Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that a Zayn vs. Breakker rematch was listed internally for next month’s SummerSlam card, though Meltzer noted that it’s possible Dragunov is added to make it a triple threat given that he’s become part of the Zayn/Breakker program.

Dragunov came to Zayn’s defense when Breakker attacked him on Raw this past Monday. Later in the episode, Zayn tried to return the favor after a Dragunov vs. Breakker match ended in a disqualification. Breakker left both Dragunov and Zayn laying.

Here’s the updated lineup for Monday’s Raw:

  • World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest & Gunther go face-to-face
  • Drew McIntyre returns
  • Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn defends against Ilja Dragunov
  • Bronson Reed vs. Sheamus
  • Rhea Ripley opens the show

Intercontinental title match set for next WWE Raw

Posted on by Bryan Rose

An Intercontinental title match is set for the next WWE Raw.

Sami Zayn will defend his newly won Intercontinental title against Chad Gable on next week’s Raw. Andrade will also take on Dominik Mysterio in a battle of former friends.

After Zayn and Gable defeated Imperium on Monday, the two spoke backstage. Zayn told Gable that he knew what he meant when he asked for a favor and agreed to defend the title next week in his hometown of Montreal. It was Gable who trained Zayn ahead of his match against Gunther at WrestleMania 40.

On last week’s SmackDown, Dominik and the rest of Legado de Fantasma attacked his father Rey Mysterio after a match between Elektra Lopez and Zelina Vega. Andrade, who had formed an association with Dominik in recent weeks, attacked Dominik to even the odds. At WrestleMania, Andrade teamed with Rey to defeat Dominik and Santos Escobar

Here is what is announced for next week’s Raw in Montreal:

  • WWE Intercontinental title: Sami Zayn defends against Chad Gable
  • Andrade vs. Dominik Mysterio

Sami Zayn ends Gunther’s Intercontinental title reign at WWE WrestleMania 40

Posted on by Joseph Currier

For 666 days, Gunther reigned as WWE Intercontinental Champion. But that historic title run has now come to an end.

Sami Zayn defeated Gunther at WrestleMania 40 night one to become the new Intercontinental Champion. The story of the match was Zayn refusing to give up despite the dominance of Gunther. He eventually caught Gunther with a Helluva Kick, hit a top rope brainbuster, and delivered two more Helluva Kicks to get the win.

The top rope brainbuster was Zayn’s finishing move on the indies.

Gunther was the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history. He won the title from Ricochet on the June 10, 2022 episode of SmackDown.

The Gunther vs. Zayn match had a special presentation that highlighted Zayn as the underdog babyface. Before the match, Zayn spoke with his wife and son backstage. Zayn then got encouragement from both Chad Gable and Kevin Owens.

Zayn’s wife Khadijah was at ringside for the title bout and embraced Zayn following his victory.

During their pre-match interaction, Gable reminded Zayn that he owes him a favor. Gable was Zayn’s trainer on WWE television leading into WrestleMania. Gable should be in contention for a title shot against Zayn.

Bronson Reed is another potential post-WrestleMania challenger for Zayn. After winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on Friday night, Reed said he would have his eyes on the Gunther vs. Zayn IC title match.

Triple H congratulates Gunther on becoming longest-reigning WWE IC champion

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Gunther is now officially recognized as the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history.

On Thursday, WWE posted a graphic on social media congratulating Gunther on reaching the milestone. Paul “Triple H” Levesque also sent out a message congratulating Gunther.

“Defining his own legacy. And this is just the beginning,” Levesque wrote. “Congratulations to @Gunther_AUT on making history as the longest-reigning #ICChampion EVER.”

Gunther’s Intercontinental title reign has reached the 454-day mark. Honky Tonk Man’s reign was also 454 days but is recognized as 453 by WWE.

Honky Tonk Man won the Intercontinental title from Ricky Steamboat in June 1987 and lost it to Ultimate Warrior in August 1988.

Gunther became Intercontinental Champion by defeating Ricochet on the June 10, 2022 episode of SmackDown. To ensure that his reign would be record-breaking, Gunther defeated Chad Gable in the main event of Raw this week. The full match has been uploaded to WWE’s YouTube channel:

Gunther vs. Gable was a rematch from August 21 edition of Raw. In that match, Gunther suffered his first one-on-one loss on the WWE main roster when Gable defeated him by countout. Gunther retained the Intercontinental title with the countout loss.

Chad Gable earns WWE Intercontinental title match

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Chad Gable is next in line for an Intercontinental title match.

Gable defeated Tommaso Ciampa, Matt Riddle, and Ricochet in a four-way match on Monday’s Raw to become the next contender for Gunther. The finish of the match had Gable attempting the Chaos Theory suplex on Riddle and Ricochet. However, he managed to get it on Ciampa and pinned him to win the match. He exited the ring and celebrated with his son after the match, as Raw was in his hometown of Minneapolis.

A backstage segment was shown prior to the match where Ricochet argued with Adam Pearce over the finish to his SummerSlam match against Logan Paul, which saw Paul use brass knuckles to defeat Ricochet. Pearce apologized and put Ricochet in the four-way match, saying all four participants were one win away from greatness.

On last week’s Raw, Gable survived a five-minute challenge against Gunther. However, Gunther didn’t accept the loss and ordered for the match to restart. It did, with Gunther eventually winning the match.

At SummerSlam this past Saturday, Gunther successfully retained the Intercontinental title, defeating Drew McIntyre.

Gunther vs. Matt Riddle added to WWE Money in the Bank

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Matt Riddle is the next to challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental title.

In a social media post on Monday, Riddle officially issued the challenge to Gunther for Money in the Bank this coming Saturday. On Raw, he was confronted by Ludwig Kaiser. The two ended up getting in a brawl, with Gunther striking Riddle with a boot while he was prone, laying him out. Gunther then accepted the challenge for London.

Riddle has been feuding with Imperium alongside Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in recent weeks. Earlier this month Riddle took out Giovanni Vinci backstage, putting him out of action in storyline. That was followed by a match between Riddle and Kaiser on last week’s Raw, which saw Riddle pick up the win.

Here is the updated lineup for Saturday’s Money in the Bank:

  • Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match: Ricochet vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar vs. Butch vs. Damian Priest vs. Logan Paul
  • Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match: Zelina Vega vs. Becky Lynch vs. Zoey Stark vs. Bayley vs. IYO SKY vs. Trish Stratus
  • World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defends against Finn Balor
  • Intercontinental title: Gunther defends against Matt Riddle
  • Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa vs. The Usos
  • Cody Rhodes vs. Dominik Mysterio
  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler defend against Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez

IC title number one contender’s match set for WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Sheamus is getting the chance to earn another shot at Gunther’s Intercontinental title.

WWE has announced that a fatal four-way match for a future shot at the Intercontinental title will take place on SmackDown tonight. Sheamus, Ricochet, Karrion Kross, and Solo Sikoa are the four participants who will be competing in the match.

On last week’s SmackDown season premiere, Gunther and Sheamus faced off in a rematch from their classic at Clash at the Castle. Gunther again retained the Intercontinental title, but he only got the win after hitting Sheamus with a Shillelagh while the referee’s attention was turned away. There was also a moment during the match where it appeared that Gunther had tapped out, but the referee waved it off and said Gunther didn’t give up.

Sheamus got some revenge when The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland & Butch) defeated Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci) in a Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook at Extreme Rules last Saturday. Sheamus put Gunther through the announce table before pinning Vinci to get the victory.

Kross was also victorious at Extreme Rules, defeating Drew McIntyre in a strap match.

Gunther won the Intercontinental title by defeating Ricochet on SmackDown this June.

Tonight’s SmackDown is being held at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Here’s what’s been announced for the episode:

  • Bray Wyatt returns to SmackDown
  • Fatal four-way Intercontinental title number one contender’s match: Sheamus vs. Ricochet vs. Karrion Kross vs. Solo Sikoa
  • LA Knight vs. Mansoor
  • Kofi Kingston vs. Sami Zayn