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.
Photo courtesy of WWE.com
Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler has been a five-time Intercontinental Champion in addition to holding the WWE Championship and the United States Championship. Certainly, his resume is stacked with accomplishments in the ten plus years he has been with the company. His new change in attitude has him targeting Kalisto and Apollo Crews as of late to which his mean streak hasn’t slowed down.
Ziggler capturing the Intercontinental Championship for the sixth time only adds to the legacy he has created. While his heel turn is in full force, having gold around his waist only helps him. Fans would love to see him hold the WWE Championship once more, and I agree with that sentiment. Ziggler’s ring work over the years has been great. Perhaps there is a chance for him in the future?
Photo courtesy of WWE.com
Kalisto
WWE may see Kalisto as this generation’s version of Rey Mysterio, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t produce. The lucha Superstar has already been a United States Champion two times over. He is currently feuding with Ziggler alongside Apollo Crews lately. I believe this feud could tie into the multi-man match up if it goes that route.
Kalisto’s fun and charismatic character are good to see indeed. However, he will need to up the ante en route to climbing up the ladder on Smackdown. Seeing him in a long-term feud could help him out greatly. Feuding with Ziggler isn’t a bad start either. Come time to challenge for the Intercontinental Championship, Kalisto could be a surprise winner, however, he might be the transitional champion should that be the case. It depends on what the company has planned for the Luchador.
Photo courtesy of WWE.com
Apollo Crews
Crews has so much potential, and is so talented. For him not to have more of a clear direction is just criminal. He is a clear example of being brought up to the main roster too early. It’s not that he isn’t worthy of it – it just seems that the company has no idea what to do with him. Perhaps his involvement in the Kalisto/Ziggler feud can further develop a direction for him.
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With that being said, could he become Intercontinental Champion in 2017? Never say never for Crews, but whether he stays in the feud with Ziggler or has a spot on the WrestleMania card, it is imperative that he applies his wow factor skills. Crews has the total package, he just needs the right feud to get him further up the ladder on Smackdown.
Smackdown has been doing well lately in terms of building up talent all around. I hope that Crews is on their to-do list this year. While it is the better show, it isn’t without its flaws. Crews is part of the flaw, and hopefully, this feud with Ziggler, wherever it goes, will help him in the long run.
WWE.com
Tye Dillinger
Since his surprise (not so surprising) appearance at the Royal Rumble, Dillinger has yet to be seen on the main roster. He is still wrestling in NXT for the time being. Where he goes next isn’t known, but hopefully, he will make his way to the blue brand. He is my wild card pick to challenge for the Intercontinental Championship.
Dillinger will have something to prove if and when he makes his official main roster debut. While his direction on NXT presented that he can’t win the big one, perhaps he could have a hot start coming on to Smackdown for the Intercontinental Championship. Even if there isn’t a multi-man match on the WrestleMania card, perhaps Dillinger can challenge Ambrose one on one there or on a future Smackdown PPV.
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The Perfect Ten is red hot right now, and he is insanely over with the hardcore NXT fans. How the casual WWE fans take to him is anyone’s guess, however, Dillinger’s seasoned background will not go unnoticed. It would be awful to see him fall in that NXT curse of not having similar success upon his transition to the main roster. Let’s hope he doesn’t go that path.
WWE.com
James Ellsworth
One thing is for sure and that is fans love Ellsworth. He has gone farther than anyone has anticipated since appearing on Raw last summer as a ham and egger to Braun Strowman. Since then he has beaten AJ Styles three times thanks to Ambrose, and in his quest to dethrone Styles, Ellsworth had chosen to betray Ambrose.
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While Ambrose exacted sweet revenge at the Royal Rumble by outsmarting Ellsworth, perhaps it’s not over between the two. Ellsworth has gained confidence by being in high profile matches with Styles, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him throw his name in the mix to challenge for the Intercontinental Championship. I can only guess what else is next for Ellsworth after Carmella is done with him.
WWE.com
Baron Corbin
Corbin is my top pick to challenge Ambrose for the Intercontinental Championship. He has been on a hot trail lately and his star is continuing to rise by the week. Corbin has also had an excellent showing several weeks back in matches with Styles and John Cena. He may not be ready for the big time yet, but he is well on his way there.
There is great chance that Corbin will be next in line for the Intercontinental Championship. If I was a betting woman, I would place my bets on Corbin to dethrone Ambrose. There is no need to halt Corbin’s ascent to the top of Smackdown. If anything else, Corbin’s star would be white hot after a Championship win.
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All Corbin needs to do is continue to dominate the roster on Smackdown. In his case if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. Let the Lone Wolf loose, and in due time, he will be leading the pack.