WWE WrestleMania 33: Projecting the Intercontinental Championship Picture
By Sarah Hirsch
WrestleMania, WWE.com
What is next for the WWE Intercontinental Champion? Better yet, where the championship picture is headed with WrestleMania approaching?
Dean Ambrose has been smooth sailing since his surprise win over The Miz just several weeks ago, annd even though he come up short in the Royal Rumble, Ambrose has the opportunity to become a dual Champion when he participates in the Elimination Chamber match on February 12th.
The event is this coming Sunday, however, Ambrose has his hands full despite being in the Chamber match. With Baron Corbin’s attack on the Lunatic Fringe during the Lumberjack match last month, the retaliation has yet to happen. Dolph Ziggler is always a good opponent to have especially with his heel turn in full swing. But, there is a hungry NXT Superstar in Tye Dillinger that is eagerly waiting to prove himself to the main roster. There are plenty of opponents to choose from at this standpoint.
Then there is James Ellsworth, who cost Ambrose the opportunity to gain the WWE Championship back. Ambrose bided his time with Ellsworth and enjoyed sweet revenge at the Royal Rumble. He set up Ellsworth to be destroyed by Braun Strowman. Is there a chance for the feud to start up?
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After the Miz’s unsuccessful loss over Ambrose, he could be out of the Intercontinental Championship picture for now. The Miz has been white hot as of late thanks to his conflict with Smackdown General Manager Daniel Bryan. Where that takes him remains to be seen, but I hope that he will be granted another chance at the WWE Championship before long. His work has been stellar and fans can’t deny that.
Going into WrestleMania season for sure Ambrose may find himself in a multi-man match at the event. That has been the course for the last two years. And with that, we could see the Intercontinental Championship change hands. Could it be the moment maker for another Superstar? Nothing is confirmed at this point – I’m just purely speculating where things may be headed as we gear towards Orlando.
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Where the Smackdown brand lacks depth when it comes to the tag team division, there are plenty of guys who could have a chance at the Intercontinental Championship. The WrestleMania card already looks to be stacked and multi-man matches are a way to get today’s stars on the card. However, there is an opportunity in those kinds of matches. The Intercontinental Championship is prestigious and is often the step before the WWE Championship. Being an Intercontinental Champion is a big deal for whoever holds the Championship.
I came up with a list along with a feud tie-in despite where things head from here.