The Miz is backstage, talking about the crazy people who predicted the end of the world in 2012. He says that Kofi Kingston being the Intercontinental Champion lowers the standard, and goes on about low standards causing the apocolypse. Miz says he's going to beat Kofi tonight, and "save the world" in the process.
(3) Intercontinental Championship Match
Kofi Kingston (c) vs. The Miz
The two fight to the outside from the onset of the match. Miz sends Kofi into the steel ring steps, but Kofi does a barrel roll over them. He leaps back towards Miz on the steps, but gets met with a big boot square in the face. Miz rolls him back into the ring but only gets a two-count. He continues the assault, stalking him and stomping away with kicks and right hands. Miz with a high running clothesline into the corner, and he heads up top, crashing down with a double axhandle for two!
Kofi comes back with some double armed clotheslines, before hitting the Boom Drop in the middle of the ring. He sets up for Trouble in Paradise, but Miz bails out of the ring. Miz back in and he tries for a big running boot, but Kofi ducks under and gets the sunset pin for two. Kofi with a crossbody off the top, but Miz rolls through and hits a backbreaker. He tries to follow up with the neckbreaker, but Kofi turns it into an S.O.S.!
Miz backs them both into the ropes and cranks Kofi's leg off the second rope, in a move that looked extremely painful. Miz continues the assault on Kofi's leg, as Cole puts over how Kingston's high flying arsenal. JBL calls Miz "genious" and plays up the heel card as he strips away Kofi's padding and ring gear, trying to expose the injured area. Miz locks in the half Boston Crab, and the Champion writhes in pain! Kofi gets within an inch of the rope, but the challenger brings it back to the center and sits down hard. Kofi rolls Miz through for the pin, but only gets two. Miz plants Kofi with a killer DDT that could have ended the match. 1…2…no!
Miz locks in the Skull Crushing Finale, but Kofi sends him out of the ring. Miz rushes back in, but eats Trouble in Pradise out of nowhere, using his one good leg to pick up the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Kofi Kingston
After the match, Kofi says he wants to say "thank you" to the Miz, because he brought out the "wildcat" in him that hasn't been seen in a very long time. He thanks Miz, and thanks the fans on his first defense as the Intercontinental Champion!
