Earlier this week, WWE declared that Sami Zayn would be stripped of the Intercontinental Championship. Moreover, the company announced that a tournament will begin this Friday on SmackDown, with the winner becoming the new champion, even if Zayn believes he is still the rightful champ.
There hasn’t been any official announcement regarding the competitors in the tournament, but it will most likely be filled with SmackDown’s mid-card and the championship bout will probably be set for Backlash on June 14.
This leaves us fans to speculate on who could be the triumphant winner at the end of it all.
The Intercontinental Championship hasn’t been important for a while. However, in the right hands, it could ignite someone’s career further than ever before. Look at what it did to careers such as Kevin Owens, The Miz and Daniel Bryan. This tournament has lots of potential!
Therefore, let’s discuss 10 wrestlers who should win the Intercontinental Championship tournament.
1. Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan hasn’t been Intercontinental Champion since WrestleMania 31 and technically, he never got beaten for the title because he relinquished it due to having to retire from his neck injury.
Having Bryan win the tournament would be quite symbolic as Zayn lost it in a very similar situation. Also, Bryan and Zayn have a history over the strap with Zayn retaining over Bryan at WrestleMania 36 last month.
If Daniel Bryan becomes Intercontinental Champion here, there is already a made feud with Zayn set up for the crowds returning, and meanwhile, he could defend the title in fantastic matches against Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura.
2. Drew Gulak
Or they can go the other route and have Drew Gulak become Intercontinental Champion.
Gulak has been able to find his feet on the main roster recently, coaching Daniel Bryan to “become the better version of himself”. This seems to be working as Bryan has been back in the spotlight as a contender and earning his spot in this year’s Money in the Bank.
However, even though Gulak has been having TV time, he hasn’t had a chance to show his true talent in competitive matches yet. This tournament offers him that possibility and it could even lead to Bryan and Gulak fighting in the final.
This title should be used to elevate stars and giving it to Gulak is a prime example of its purpose.
3. King Corbin
He had to be mentioned eventually right?
King Corbin is bound to get quite far in this tournament as he is one of the biggest heels on SmackDown and in WWE today.
Love him or hate him, he is a workhorse in the company and surely would do great things holding the Intercontinental Championship.
Furthermore, due to his credible heelwork over the past year, it would lead to a massive pop for whoever manages to dethrone him.
4. Elias
Or Corbin could trip up over the last hurdle – Elias.
Elias has proven to be a good character on the main roster and with his star power could totally be packaged with the Intercontinental gold.
Elias has only had a brief stint as 24/7 Champion, and because that isn’t anything to praise, he is definitely looking at winning his first main title since being called up to the main roster in 2018.
5. Ricochet
If WWE wants to use the new brand-to-brand invitation, then it should be used to showcase a wrestler’s potential that has been hidden on their current roster. For example, Ricochet.
You don’t need to do much investigation to figure out that Vince McMahon has pretty much given up on Ricochet. He is in a jobber tag team with Cedric Alexander. He lost to Brock Lesnar in a couple of minutes at Super ShowDown and has just been disregarded on Raw. This is shameful due to the amount of talent and in-ring ability he has.
Unfortunately, a move to SmackDown is still under power from the big boss, but perhaps moving over Ricochet in this new ‘Wildcard Rule’ would show why we all fell in love with Ricochet in the first place. A fresh start is all a wrestler needs to start again.
Look at Apollo Crews and his anticipated heel turn on Raw. Hopefully, Vince still has a little spark left for the former United States Champion.
6. Cedric Alexander
Likewise for Cedric Alexander.
Alexander hasn’t done anything notable on Raw this year. Even last year, he dressed as a janitor to team with Roman Reigns and lost to AJ Styles on multiple occasions.
Move him over to SmackDown and let us see the talent which fans craved on 205 Live at the beginning of its existence.
7. Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy finally made his proper return last week, after making a slight return with a match against Corbin the month prior. He was then confronted by Sheamus, signalling the beginning of their feud.
WWE obviously needs big plans for the ‘Charismatic Enigma’ or he may just join his brother over in AEW once his contract expires.
Perhaps letting him win this tournament and battle with Sheamus over the title would be the way to go.
Hardy’s career is slowly dwindling down, so wouldn’t it be great to see him win the Intercontinental title for the fifth time?
8. Sheamus
Another deserving name to win the Intercontinental Championship would be Sheamus.
The ‘Celtic Warrior’ has done everything in the WWE from winning both major titles to winning the Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank. He has done it all… except winning the Intercontinental Championship.
If Sheamus can outlast the other competitors and become champion, his name would be written in the books of official Grand Slam champs. This would be an effective way to book Sheamus as these squash matches since his return have been doing no favours.
Sheamus should be Brogue Kicking his way through the SmackDown roster with a title around his waist at least one more time.
9. Mansoor
If there is an effective way to use this tournament it is to build up a new star. Mansoor should be that star.
Mansoor only comes out of hiding for Saudi shows, which he remains undefeated on, or he has the odd loss on NXT. The guy has worthy ring ability and can cut a heartfelt babyface promo.
He definitely deserves to be used more, and therefore, adding him to the SmackDown roster, placing him in the tournament, showcasing his move-set and getting him over as a big deal could be the way to go.
10. The SmackDown Hacker
WWE could also use this tournament to reveal the highly suspicious hacker on SmackDown.
Even though the identity of the hacker is still unknown with many guesses towards Mustafa Ali, Chad Gable or even CM Punk, they could win the Intercontinental Championship while keeping their name a secret.
Here’s how:
Let’s say the hacker is Ali or Gable, for example. They could miraculously return and enter the tournament, suggesting they have nothing to do with the mysterious hacker. Vignettes could play later in the show just to erase the thought of them being in association with the culprit.
Then they may make it to the final, win the Intercontinental Championship and leave evidence that they were in fact the hacker. Let’s say they accidentally bring their phone to the ring which starts to play the footage of whoever they are trying to split up next.
Having the hacker be revealed at the same time as winning Intercontinental Title would show he is a threat to be reckoned with on the roster.
Comments.
Loading comments…