With all the incredible work the Miz has put into the Intercontinental Championship over the past year, the title is now one of the cornerstones of Tuesday nights. The title needs to not only stay in the spotlight but needs worthy talents to hold it.
The incredible momentum it currently possesses needs to be upheld at all means possible. In 2017, the belt needs to go into the hands of Superstars that can take it to new heights or at least sustain its' current relevance.
Here are five WWE Superstars from the SmackDown roster that I feel deserve to be Intercontinental Champions in 2017.
#5 Heath Slater
Perhaps one of, if not, the most overlooked Superstar on the SmackDown roster, Heath Slater has been on WWE television for close to seven years. He made his official main roster debut on February 16th, 2010 as part of the infamous Nexus angle.
Despite atrocious WWE booking post-Nexus, Slater has managed to stay relevant with the WWE universe, even becoming a low card favourite at times. Now it's time for him to transition into the main event talent we always knew he could be.
The whole 'I Got Kids' storyline was heartwarming and nice to cheer for, but it's time for the one man band to take his career to new heights. It's time for the former inaugural SmackDown Tag Team champion to cut all ties with Rhyno and go on a path that leads to singles competition greatness.
#4 Bray Wyatt
Can you believe that Bray Wyatt has been in the WWE for close to eight years, and never won a singles championship? Despite mixing with the likes of Randy Orton, John Cena, Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker, CM Punk and Dean Ambrose, the WWE have never trusted Bray with singles gold.
Wyatt only won his first piece of silver recently, in the form of the SmackDown Tag Team championships. Even with the ample amounts of time, the WWE hierarchy has turned their nose up on Wyatt, he's still managed to stay well-liked by the fans.
As a face or a heel, Bray is over with the fans and it's time for the 29-year old to claim the Intercontinental Championship. As a main event superstar, Wyatt is the exact type of name needed to continue to elevate the title.
#3 Baron Corbin
The lone wolf has been on an incredible run as of late, he's destroyed everything in his path. Now the NXT graduate is not only mixing with the likes of SmackDown main event talents, he's become one. All the all-time greats have needed that precious mid-card Championship to propel their careers to the next level.
Corbin needs to hold the belt and then dominate it for months to come. It'd be a fresh change from the cowardly acts of the Miz, who has sheepishly stolen victories all year. A Corbin reign would legitimise his dominance, turning him from an up-and-coming Superstar into a dominant champion.
#2 John Cena
Perhaps the greatest of all time, John Felix Anthony Cena has done it all in his WWE career, besides, win the Intercontinental Champion. As his illustrious career winds to an epic climax, there is still time for the 15-time World Champion to hold the one title that has eluded him.
After his incredible stint with the United States championship in 2015, Cena has already proved how great he is at holding mid-card titles. Credit to the Miz for making 2016 an incredible year for the IC title but Cena taking the reins in 2017, would take the title into a new stratosphere.
Perhaps, an open challenge on television every week would be in order too. When the US open challenge was happening on Monday nights, it was the main focus of the show, now Cena could bring that interest to the Intercontinental Championship on Tuesdays.
#1 Shinsuke Nakamura
The charisma, the aura, the strong style, the look. Shinsuke Nakamura has it all, he has all that's needed to become a successful Champion in the WWE. As one of the main pulls of the current NXT roster, Nakamura has carried the developmental brand with class and style.
He's the perfect fit for the SmackDown roster and the IC title. At the age of 36, Shinsuke has experienced a seasoned wrestling career across the globe. He's one of the most revered wrestlers ever to have not made it in the WWE, but now he's finally here.
In an age of new stars, it's time to strap the rocket to this man’s back and let him become great. With the prestigious lineage, the IC championship holds, Nakamura would be the perfect NXT candidate to hold the championship in 2017.
The WWE has to make sure that the fans know that the Japanese Strong Style King is a star right from the get-go, and what better way to make him a star than to have him win the Intercontinental Championship at his first PPV event.
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