This day in Pro Wrestling history - 14th December

#2 Randy Orton wins his first title in the WWE – 14th December 2003

Armageddon 2003 would also see Evolution’s Randy Orton win his first title in the WWE. Orton would beat Rob Van Dam to capture the Intercontinental Championship. The match would feature one of the earlier instances of Orton’s elevated spike DDT manoeuvre.

The match was refereed by Mick Foley who would start a feud with Orton soon afterwards, resulting in a handicap match at Wrestlemania XX and an Intercontinental title match at Backlash. Orton would hold on to the title for seven months, marking the longest Intercontinental title reign in over seven years.

He would eventually be beaten by a returning Edge in mid-2004.