WWE WrestleMania 34: Why Finn Balor should win the IC Title

Much-needed credibility boost

Over the last couple of weeks, Miz has bragged about becoming the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion in regard to combined days with the title. Miz has held the belt for 577 days (and counting) across eight reigns. That equates to about 71.8 days per title run. In that context, Miz’s “accomplishment” doesn’t sound as impressive. This remains the overwhelming problem with his character.

Miz possesses main event level abilities on the microphone, but that contrasts with his almost non-existent in-ring credibility. Despite projecting the confidence and swagger of a legitimate champion, Miz almost never wins matches without cheating or outside help from the Miztourage. This clashes with his constant bloviating about how he made the IC Title more prestigious than it ever was. No fan could possibly believe Miz when he says that. Combine that with his mediocre workrate (his Daniel Bryan kicks should disqualify him from wrestling) and you get a tepid Intercontinental Champion.

Balor could change that trajectory. He is a much better wrestler than Miz and can hold his own in the promo department, even if he doesn’t have the gift of gab that Miz does. Balor also has the credibility in the ring that Miz lacks thanks in part to his catalog of great matches in New Japan Pro Wrestling and NXT. He could truly restore the luster that the title had lost over the last two decades (with some exceptions), whether he works as a babyface or as a heel.