WWE Extreme Rules 2016: Kevin Owens-Sami Zayn-Cesaro-Miz Feud Helps Intercontinental Championship

A rundown of the current four-man feud for the Intercontinental title at Extreme Rules and what it means to now wear the belt.

In the first 5 years after the WWE Intercontinental Championship was introduced to the wrestling world, the privilege of being champion was bestowed to mostly legends. Beginning with Pat Patterson, the belt was passed around from Ken Patera, Pedro Morales, and Don Muraco, three legitimate historical superstars. With these men achieving Intercontinental title reigns, it drove the stock of the belt through the roof. Being the IC champ meant something huge as the title holder was seen as the bona fide No. 2 wrestler in the company only behind the heavyweight champion.

Following the title reigns of these legends, the WWF then began to use the title as a way catapult their young superstars into stardom. Of the next 20 wrestlers to capture IC gold, five would become World Heavyweight champions, with also The British Bulldog, Rick Rude, Razor Ramon, and Mr. Perfect all coming extremely close by becoming established No. 1 contenders.

More wwe: WrestleMania 33 Match Card Projections

The title also produced some of the best feuds the company had ever seen. Between the Randy Savage-Ricky Steamboat saga, the Ultimate Warrior-Rick Rude wars, and Diesel-Shawn Michaels-Razor Ramon triangle, it was clear that being IC champion was something that every superstar would risk anything to be.

More from WWE

However, sometime around the turn of the century, the luster of being the Intercontinental champ changed. It went from being the second biggest prize in the WWE to more of a belt thrown into mid card feuds as a consolation prize, and rarely did anybody hold the belt for any significant time. Gone were the days of Macho Man’s 424-day reign or the Honky Tonk Man’s 454, and were replaced by short stints by the likes of The Road Dogg (14 days), The Godfather (43 days), and Albert (27 days). Leading up to the present day, the company seemed to not know exactly what type of star to put the belt on. For every Dolph Ziggler, you had Curtis Axel. For every Daniel Bryan, you had Ezekial Jackson.

Suddenly, the Intercontinental title scene has become the strongest it’s been in a long time. We have four men, all extremely talented in different ways, vying for the belt. Between Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, and the incumbent, The Miz, there is potential for an outstanding feud. This program that could once again restore the importance of the belt.

In Miz, you have a former World Heavyweight champion and 5-time Intercontinental champion. Say what you want about him but the guy has gone strong in the WWE for over a decade. And hey, he headlined a Wrestlemania.

In Owens, you have bright, shining star. Being a former NXT champion as well as IC champ, “The Prize Fighter” has future world champion written all over him.

More from Daily DDT

Owens’ former best friend Sami Zayn is about as talented as they get. Every time he steps in the ring it’s a 5-star match waiting to happen.

Finally, there’s Cesaro. The “Swiss Superman” is without question one of the most gifted workers in the company and easily the most under-utilized. Of these four men, the latter three are on fire with the crowd now.

Although the match hasn’t been announced yet it’s almost a certainty that these four will face off in a fatal four-way at Extreme Rules. The show-stealing potential of this match would be through the roof. This feud is one that could go on a while and steer in many directions. Will Miz shockingly hold on to the belt? Will the belt get passed around once again? Will Zayn win his first gold while on the main roster? The sky is the limit.

One thing is for sure, though, having these four men tear each other apart for the right to hold the Intercontinental Championship will give it’s title scene new found life.

Add us as a preferred source on Google