STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN
Intercontinental Champion
Dec. 26, 1998 - Feb. 1999
It took some time before Steve Austin was granted a rematch with Riptide, but when he was, shocking events unfolded. Johnny Asterix, who had accompanied Riptide to the ring, took the Intercontinental title belt from the timekeeper and knocked Riptide's feet off the ropes while he had Austin rolled up with extra leverage. He then threw Austin the belt while the referee was distracted, and Austin nailed Riptide with it for the win! Over the next few weeks, it would be revealed that Austin was to be the centerpiece of Asterix's new Syndicate group ... but at the time, no one knew what to think!