'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The grandest stage of them all, Wrestlemania 31, is now only mere days away and the one match that seems certain to amaze beyond all measures and almost certainly steal the show is the Intercontinental ladder match.All men involved in the match are outstanding in-ring performers and all have legitimate chance of winning, some more than other but still this will be an unpredictable bout full of high pace exhilarating action.Let’s take a look now at each competitor in the IC Ladder match and rank their likeliness of winning the title.
#7 Luke Harper
Harper is an extremely hard working talented performer especially for such a big man who still hits high flying moves. However despite having an IC championship reign only very recently, he doesn’t seem in a position right now to win this match and hasn’t been built up as a big of a threat as he probably should have.
Of all the people in this match, Harper seems the least likely to emerge victorious but with the distance between competitors being so close its still very plausible that WWE could throw a slight curve ball and have Harper capture his 2nd IC title.
#6 Stardust
How long the ‘Stardust’ character will last and whether it will be a permanent change is still up in the air. Stardust hasn’t been built as one of the biggest threats in this match but having him win the IC championship could serve as the perfect way to push the ‘Stardust’ character going forward if they do indeed plan to keep Cody Rhodes in his new role.
The brother v brother feud with Goldust didn’t have a decisive closure so it’s possible they will pick the storyline back up for another match at Extreme Rules.
#5 Bad News Barrett
Barrett has to have had one of the worst IC title reigns in history. He has constantly been losing match after match on a consistent basis to the point where it’s become ridiculous. But WWE could just be trying to throw us off by having Barrett delivers when it really matters and retain his title.
The only problem is a Barrett win wouldn’t do much for the prestige of the champion since he has made to look fairly weak losing almost every match he has been a part of it. Simply having him retain when it actually matters would probably be a step in the wrong direction.
#4 R-Truth
R-Truth came out of nowhere to insert himself into the IC title picture and initially felt somewhat out of place. However, after song strong work on commentary along with some moments of comedy gold he has certainly justified his spot in the bout.
Most don’t consider Truth a legitimate chance but that’s exactly why he is a potential candidate to win. Truth is a solid underrated worker who would be deserving of a fairly big mania moment.
The only problem with Truth winning is that going forward it may devalue the importance of the IC title.
#3 Dolph Ziggler
We now come to the first of three men who are among the most popular/talented in the entire company and who have the best chance of capturing the championship.
Ziggler had an amazing year in 2014 where he had multiple solid IC title reigns (with many fantastic matches) which helped bring back some prestige and he also was the sole survivor at Survivor Series thanks to an aid from Sting which put The Authority out of power (temporarily).
Ziggler has a good chance of winning but the fact that he has held the title a lot over the last few months means a victory for him wouldn’t be as fresh and exciting as someone else. Even if he doesn’t win it’s still likely he will remain in the title picture.
However, it is possible that WWE could use this match to give Ziggler a big Wrestlemania moment to help give him more momentum again.
#2 Daniel Bryan
Many thought Bryan deserved a huge singles match at mania (which he probably did) but instead he will be in the destined to succeed IC Ladder match where many believe he deserves to win.
If Bryan can capture the IC title then he will have won every championship that WWE currently has to offer which is quite an accomplishment.
Bryan would be a great option to hold the IC title as attempt to raise its importance but there may just be someone who deserves it even more.
#1 Dean Ambrose
Ambrose is an extremely talent in-ring worker and one of the most over guys in the company but has been overshadowed in recent times by other bigger stars. Ambrose was the one to first start feuding with Barrett having a loss via DQ at Fastlane he looked to challenge again at mania (and seem destined to walk out victorious).
However, now, there are numerous more stars that have thrown their name in the mix and as a result, there are now even more deserving stars. But none are probably quite as deserving as Ambrose who has been on a PPV losing streak since starting his official solo career.
Ambrose deserves a huge moment and an IC championship reign will not only help his career but also the prestige of the title itself.
