Bobby Lashley, as of this writing, is set to walk into WrestleMania as Intercontinental Champion. It’s something he’s never done before, and this is only his second Intercontinental title. However, they haven’t really been memorable by any means, just like the Intercontinental Championship hasn’t exactly been very prestigious over the last few months.
Going back to a year ago, Seth Rollins walked out of WrestleMania 34 with the Intercontinental Championship, the first of his career and a title win that completed a grand slam for him. He had a good first reign with the title until it was abruptly ended in the hands of Dolph Ziggler.
Rollins would win the title back at SummerSlam 2018, and while his reign was good, spanning a similar length of time to his last one, it kickstarted a whole series of quick title reigns. It was the feud with Dean Ambrose that ended with much disappointment. For starters, Ambrose’s heel turn really didn’t go as well as expected, and the blowoff match with Rollins where Ambrose won the title was utterly disappointing.
It’s even rumored that Vince McMahon was furious at the match. Who can blame him? After all, it was supposed to be the two top stars of the company going at it in a grudge match. Ambrose’s reign wouldn’t last either, and after a few weeks, he dropped it to Bobby Lashley in a Triple Threat match on RAW.
After that, Finn Balor would be the next to pursue the Intercontinental Championship, winning it on his first attempt at Elimination Chamber. The next month wouldn’t be a significant run for Balor either, as the focus was more on dissent between Lashley and his hype man Lio Rush.
He would win back the title less than a month later, cementing the fact that WWE really doesn’t have anything in the creative department for the Intercontinental Championship. It’s a shame that it’s that way because the title changes even seemed like it was all in the last minute.
While WWE probably doesn’t have any significant plans for the Intercontinental Championship (and there’s a high chance it may not even be defended at all), there are chances of a multi-man match or of a few good contenders emerging. We take a look at five of them and assess where they stand and if they will be a part of the Intercontinental Championship picture.
Elias hasn’t had a bad run per se, but he hasn’t progressed too much from this stage last year. Last year, he was competing at the Elimination Chamber for a chance to main event WrestleMania, but unsurprisingly fell short. He didn’t have a match at WrestleMania either, instead promising fans the greatest performance ever.
While there’s a high chance that he will end back up in the same position for a segment with legends, an ideal spot for him would be in a championship match. At this rate, however, it seems unlikely
Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose’s status with WWE is still a bit shaky at this moment, and we have no real idea what to expect, and whether him leaving the company is a work or isn’t. As it stands, it seems like he really is leaving for good, and WWE hasn’t indicated any road to WrestleMania for him. While he naturally won’t be winning any titles or matches at WrestleMania,
Lio Rush
You might be surprised to see Lio Rush on this list. He has a very little chance of splitting with Lashley, because if there’s no involvement with Lashley, he’ll be right back to 205 Live only. However, crazier things have happened, and he could be a part of a multi-man match there is one. Just for a shock, WWE could even end up having him win the title, only to drop it soon after.
Finn Balor
The former champion himself. What a shame it is that it was the only title he won in two and a half years and he dropped it so quickly. It seems like a downgrade from when he was challenging Brock Lesnar, but if he is challenging for the Intercontinental title again, then we will have to wait yet another year to see The Demon King in full swing.
For the third year in a row, Braun Strowman’s place on the WrestleMania card doesn’t really represent the push he’s received over the course of the last year. WWE seems to have no plans for Strowman, not even inserting him anywhere close to the Universal title picture. The start-stop push could seriously affect him on the long run, and if they want to heat him up again, putting the Intercontinental title on him wouldn’t be a bad start.
Verdict: While it’s entirely possible we see a multi-man match as with other title bouts, this may have fewer contestants. Admittedly, Elias, Lio Rush and Dean Ambrose are unlikely contenders, which means that a triple threat bout could be on the cards with Balor and Strowman.
