PHOENIX - The WWE Universe could practically hear Santino Marella’s “Honk-A-Meter” coughing and wheezing as it appeared the Intercontinental Champion’s reign was about to meet an inglorious death. The device, used to track Santino’s reign, looked as if it would meet its demise at the hands of the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history, the Honky Tonk Man.

Santino’s girlfriend Beth Phoenix, however, had other ideas. By tripping up Honky Tonk Man, Phoenix caused Santino to lose by disqualification. Although the Italian was livid, he was able to retain his title since championships cannot change hands on such a decision. In other words, Santino’s “Honk-A-Meter” lives to tick another day.

Marella, though, did not escape unscathed. You, the WWE Universe, chose Honky Tonk Man, who reigned as Intercontinental Champion for 64 weeks, to face Santino with 35 percent of the vote over Goldust and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, who lost by less than 500 votes. Despite coming up short in the voting, Goldust and Piper would not be denied a slice of the spicy Italian. After the official conclusion of the match, the two former Intercontinental Champions joined Honky Tonk Man in the ring to show Marella just what they think of him.

First up, Goldust roughed up Marella, then Piper got in his punches and finally, Honky Tonk Man leveled the Italian with a Shake, Rattle and Roll.

In the end, before the Honky Tonk Man could pull the plug on the “Honk-A-Meter,” the Intercontinental Champion managed to escape with his title – if not his dignity – intact, ensuring that the tallying device, and Santino himself, will continue to sputter along.