WWE Raw 5 Takeaways: GM Elect Baron Corbin Running Amok

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3. Intercontinental Championship Open Challenge Makes Much-Needed Return

The Intercontinental Championship was the most prestigious title on the red brand earlier this year with Seth Rollins carrying the load.  Since The Architect won back the title at SummerSlam, however, the WWE hasn’t given it nearly as much focus as it had earlier this year.

Rollins is one of the best Intercontinental Champions in recent memory, but the feuds he has been involved in since SummerSlam have limited his ability to operate as the proud champion he was before.  He is once again involved in a feud, this time against Dean Ambrose, but last night was a step in the right direction involving the Intercontinental Championship.

The Architect issued an open challenge to defend his title for the first time in a while to clear his mind from the Ambrose situation.  Who would answer the challenge?  None other than Dolph Ziggler, the man Rollins feuded with for the title for a few months straight.  It could have been a fresher opponent, but as expected, these two put on a very good match.

Ziggler pushed Rollins to his limit, but it wouldn’t be enough and after a top-rope suplex followed by a falcon arrow, The Architect got the win and retained his title.  This felt like how the Intercontinental Championship felt just a few months ago and this needs to continue.  The title will be on the line again at TLC when Rollins defends against Ambrose in a huge grudge match.

It felt good to see the Intercontinental Championship back in a meaningful spot again, a spot that it deserves to be in permanently.