WWE: Why Drew Gulak needs to win the Intercontinental Title

Sami Zayn retained his Intercontinental Championship at WWE WrestleMania thanks to a little bit of help from his compatriots. This sets the path for Drew Gulak to become the new challenger and champion. Here’s how.

While we debated whether Zayn or Daniel Bryan should emerge the Intercontinental Champion (I chose Bryan), Zayn successfully defended his championship at WWE WrestleMania 36. However, this only happened because Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro attacked Gulak, who was cheering on Bryan at ringside. This distracted Bryan long enough for Zayn to recover, hitting a variation of his Helluva Kick on Bryan leaping from the top rope; maybe it was a Heckuva Kick?

One would think this might end their rivalry, or at least that Bryan would move into a rivalry with Nakamura or Cesaro. Where does this leave Gulak and the defending champion, Zayn?

How about a feud with each other?

On the next WWE SmackDown, Gulak can approach Bryan and say something like, “Daniel, I’m sorry. I take complete fault for what happened Sunday night. I should have been more aware of my surroundings instead of leaving myself open to attack. Let me make it up to you by taking on Nakamura and Cesaro in singles action.”

With Bryan indicating he’s winding down his full-time days, I thought winning the title would be a good way to end this chapter in his career. However, maybe the best way to utilize Bryan so that he can wrestle part-time for years and years is to swap roles with Gulak and become more of the coach to Gulak. Gulak can pick up Bryan’s mantle as a technical wrestling savant.

Remember, Gulak has a victory of Nakamura and a loss to Cesaro, so there is already a built-in story. Gulak could take on Cesaro first to win his victory back, and then defeat Nakamura the next week, both cleanly. Maybe have Gulak win one of the matches with the Yes Lock, or what I call the Gu-Lock 2.0

With his victories over those two, wouldn’t you know it, Gulak is now in IC Title territory! Zayn could pull his weasel tactic and force Gulak to beat Nakamura and Cesaro in a 2-on-1 handicap match to “earn” his shot. Gulak wins, Zayn is beside himself, and we should have a nice title match set up for whenever another PPV may happen.

With this championship traditionally held by the workhorse technicians of the company, Gulak is a perfect fit; really, any of the five in this intertwined feud are perfect fits. While Gulak is a former Cruiserweight Champion, many people do not know of his achievements on 205 Live. The Intercontinental Championship, particularly if he is going to carry on Bryan’s mantle, would both put the title on a technician while elevating Gulak to the mid-upper card.

He can also go back to his fiery, passionate promos he gave as Cruiserweight Champion when needed instead of PowerPoint gimmick. His interactions with Bryan are so wholesome, showing his range as a character and on the mic.

Further, since he generally won’t have the responsibility to give show-carrying promos, he will have just enough of a spotlight as champion to grow on the mic while growing more comfortable all the same. If done right, Gulak has potential as a white-meat babyface.

Gulak can force Zayn to submit to the Gu-Lock 2.0 to win the championship. He can happily and earnestly present the title to Bryan. Bryan receives the title, looks at Gulak, shakes his head, and returns the title to Gulak. He raises Gulak’s hand as champion and engages in a “YES!” chant to truly pass the torch to his protege, Gulak.

It’s very, very unlikely any of this happens. However, it would be a fun extension of this ongoing story and help raise the profile even more than it already has through his association with Bryan. I’ve long been a Gulak fan, and count me as one of those who might shed a tear or two if the above scenario actually happens.