The Miz is currently tied up in a feud with Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose’s makeshift Shield which featured Kurt Angle in an explosive TLC main event that saw Braun Strowman leave in a dumpster truck. On the following RAW, Rollins and Ambrose took on the Intercontinental Champion’s team with SmackDown Live’s AJ Styles filling in for the absent Roman Reigns.
Unfortunately, the IC title itself is yet again being misused and lacking in development or growth. The positive aspect is that The Miz is a great heel and has done some fantastic work on Miz TV and with Kurt Angle on the build up to Sunday’s TLC, however he hasn’t taken his title anywhere and it has become stale, predictable, and boring.
The card for Survivor Series has been announced, and it seems that the IC title isn’t going anywhere as a match up between The Miz and Baron Corbin is set to feature alongside all other respective title champions. So, in no particular order, here are 5 superstars who would elevate the Intercontinental Championship after Survivor Series:
Finn Balor
Finn Balor has been floating in the WWE Universe for too long. He needs something to solidify himself and provide a purpose. Finn is also a prime example of a superstar who could be deemed “above” the level of the IC title, therefore enabling him to raise it up.
It is clear that the WWE creative team rate Finn; he is a former NXT Champion, and was the first Universal Champion. Unfortunately he has had to deal with injuries which resulted in him taking a back seat to everyone else. Apart from being stuck in a feud with Bray Wyatt, which started when Bray moved to RAW in April! That’s almost a 6 month on and off feud.
After a 4* match against AJ Styles at TLC it is clear that Finn Balor would give the Intercontinental Championship the boost it so desperately needs.
Bray Wyatt
In complete and direct contrast to Finn Balor, Bray Wyatt would without a doubt turn the IC title on it’s head. Bray had a brief stint as WWE Champion which ended all too suddenly against Randy Orton at WrestleMania.
Since moving to RAW, Bray has been lacking direction and specific purpose while working on and off with Finn. Furthermore, the Eater of Worlds has been struck with a viral illness that kept him away from his match with The Demon at TLC. On his return, Bray could certainly provide an alternative approach to being Intercontinental Champion, almost the complete opposite to The Miz’s shiny Hollywood appearance.
I’m not going to add Sister Abigail as a separate entrant on this list, but it’s worth mentioning that Bray’s alter-ego could also be used effectively in the Intercontinental scene. Imagine having Sister Abigail featured on Miz TV during the build up to Bray’s reign. Absolutely bizarre.
Matt Hardy
Matt Hardy could open up the Intercontinental Championship to new avenues. He would be perfect as a transitional champion to enable other superstars to get involved in the title picture.
Matt has already revealed that a change is coming to his WWE character, so why not use this opportunity to bring some change to the IC title as well?
25 years of EVOLUTION..
And change is almost upon me AGEEN. pic.twitter.com/H9mHXLqomA
— REBORN by FATE (@MATTHARDYBRAND) October 4, 2017
It has been noted previously that Jeff Hardy is more valuable to WWE in terms of champion material but while his brother is recovering from surgery, Matt could be the perfect superstar to bring new life to the Intercontinental Championship.
Check out his match against Braun Strowman and the Torando DDT he worked in against The Monster Among Men.
Jason Jordan
Jason Jordan should have won the IC title from The Miz when the opportunity was there. Unfortunately the explosive athlete that was given a huge push as Kurt Angle’s son has now faded into the mid card territory. If Jordan could transfer his brute strength into a heel position, he could easily dominate in the ring.
Check out what he was able to do with the likes of John Cena. Of course there was only going to be 1 winner, but Jordan was still able to demonstrate his pure talent.
Samoa Joe
It is important to note that Samoa Joe is due back soon – very soon. Before encountering knee problems, Joe was facing the likes of Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman, and Roman Reigns. Therefore it is easy to see how The Destroyer could pose a legitimate dominance over the Intercontinental Championship scene as he builds himself back up into the unstoppable force demonstrated here:
Although Samoa Joe managed to get a rare clean win over Roman Reigns, Wrestlemania speculation is to have the Big Dog take on Brock Lesnar, which means Joe will be looking for an angle of his own.
Like most of the names on this list, it seems like some superstars would be demoted to working the Intercontinental Championship, however it’s all about raising the title beyond that of its current position. While Samoa Joe appears to have WWE Champion and Universal Champion in his future, he would also make a fantastic dominant Intercontinental Champion too.
