WWE Intercontinental championship - who deserves it the most?

The IC title, for the longest time, was the stepping stone to the most coveted prize in Sports- Entertainment, the WWE championship. Known within the industry as the ‘Work-horse’s title’, it was something you earned by being the go-to guy for the WWE management when they were looking for the work to be done in the ring, while the championship matches would be full of flashy characters with little in-ring mettle. It was the proving ground for future world champions and legends such as Ricky Steamboat. Mr. Perfect, Rowdy Piper held it before guys like Macho Man, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, etc took the baton and ran with it right to the finishing line. Although the title has long lost it’s old sheen after the barrage of singles championship belts that crowded the scene since WCW went out of business, it still is the 2nd most important singles title in the company. Every once in a while, you have a big name like Jericho or Randy Orton thrown right into the mix and the title gets elevated. And the contention for the prize starts looking a lot more believable.

The present title-holder is Wade Barrett and he has been doing a fine job, considering it’s already his 3rd reign. I have always liked Barrett and believe that he is a future world champion, given his natural charisma, mic-work and ability to put on good matches. However, the future isn’t going to be any time soon as he does look a bit rough around the edges, especially with his in-ring work, where his style is an awkward mix of a big-man and an agile middleweight. He doesn’t seem to have the fluidity of a Sheamus or an Orton, both men of similar sizes as him. But, Barrett is in no way a bad worker. So, the question begs: If, as it would happen back in the day, who is the guy to be carrying the title that would propel him to be the main-event player in the near future?

My pick would be Antonio ‘the Swiss sensation’ Cesaro, who has all the tools to become the next Daniel Bryan and thereby someone that the crowd would like to get behind. Probably the most under-rated wrestler on the card, Cesaro has a great look, can wrestle and put the best to shame and when given a chance, cut decent promos as well. Ok, maybe he isn’t any Rock yet on the mic, but he has the distinct European flavour to everything he says and does. I buy him as a more valuable commodity than even Sheamus as someone who breaks the American stronghold on WWE TV. Talking about which, it does look like Zeb Colter might take him in as a protégé and try and be his mouthpiece. I really don’t find the need for that, but at this point, after the lame yodelling gimmick he had for a while, I will buy just about anything to see him get over that hump. The guy can speak several languages and that automatically makes him a cerebral choice for the pure wrestling fan. He is a star waiting to happen. Just don’t know how big of a star though as going by the reports, the WWE office doesn’t seem to share my views and find him to be bland, especially for the American TV audience. In his case, we just have to wait and see what happens.