Who was the first WWF Intercontinental Champion?

Pat Patterson was the first WWF Intercontinental Champion.

The title was introduced in 1979 after Patterson won a fictional tournament in Rio de Janeiro, according to the storyline. In reality, the tournament did not take place; WWF presented the championship as an international title with a fabricated origin story.

Patterson’s first reign began in September 1979. The championship later became one of the most important secondary titles in WWE, frequently associated with technically skilled performers and prominent mid-card rivalries.

The original name was the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship. It was later renamed after the company became the World Wrestling Federation and eventually World Wrestling Entertainment. Don Muraco, Ken Patera and Pedro Morales were notable early champions, but Patterson was the inaugural titleholder.