'%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)
Finn Balor won the Intercontinental title at WWE's Elimination Chamber where he overpowered Lio Rush and Bobby Lashley in a handicap match. It was Balor's first Intercontinental Title win, and he is expected to hold the belt for an extended period. Since Balor is not scheduled to defend the belt at Fastlane, he needs a credible opponent to defend the title at the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Balor was the first Universal Champion following its inception in 2016. Nevertheless, he had to relinquish the belt due to an injury, but he was not in the title picture after he returned from injury. Balor got a title shot at Royal Rumble this year where he faced the current Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. Though Balor lost the match at Chasefield, he indeed went toe-to-toe with the Beast Incarnate.
After a thumping victory at Elimination Chamber, Balor is searching for a new opponent. With Bobby Lashley involved in a feud with the Shield, he is not likely to extend the rivalry with Finn Balor.
Here we discuss three possible opponents who could challenge Finn Balor for the Intercontinental Title.
#3 Johnny Gargano
Johnny Gargano is definitely a great choice to challenge Finn Balor. Gargano has recently debuted on the main roster. Gargano and his tag team partner Tommaso Ciampa defeated The Revival and The Bar on the main roster. However, Gargano has not wrestled after Ciampa was sidelined with an injury.
Gargano was a big name in the independent circuit before WWE signed him in 2015. Gargano produced several memorable bouts in NXT, and he had great rivalries with Andrade, Tommaso Ciampa, Aleister Black and many more. As a matter of fact, Gargano won the NXT Match of the Year Award twice in his career which suggests his dexterity in the squared circle. He won the NXT North American Championship once and the NXT Tag Team Championship once.
Considering Gargano's track record in NXT, he could be a credible challenger for the current Intercontinental Champion. Gargano and Balor are exceptional performers in the squared circle, and they could steal the show if they lock horns at the Grandest Stage of Them All.
#2 Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre is a top-notch Superstar who deserves to be the next Intercontinental Champion. The Scottish Psychopath could be an ideal challenger for Finn Balor. Presently, McIntyre is involved in a rivalry with the Shield as he teamed up Bobby Lashley and Baron Corbin. The trio is set to fight Shield at Fastlane.
Though McIntyre's first WWE stint was atrocious, his second stint has been very impressive. McIntyre returned to WWE in 2017, and he won the NXT title. Since he made his main roster return after WrestleMania 34, he established himself as a top guy of the red brand. McIntyre captured the Raw Tag Team Titles with Dolph Ziggler, but he is yet to win a singles title in his second stint.
The Scottish Psychopath could grab his second Intercontinental Title if he challenges Finn Balor at the Show of Shows. There is no denying that McIntyre is exceptional on the mic and he is equally good in the squared circle. Though McIntyre and Balor locked horns in the past, they could provide a remarkable feud for the Intercontinental Championship.
#1 Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn is not a surprising name here, and he could be a perfect candidate to be the next challenger of Finn Balor. Zayn was sidelined due to injury, but he is expected to return before WrestleMania 35. He could challenge the current Intercontinental Champion after he returns from injury.
Sami Zayn has been an underdog in WWE, although he was a prominent name in NXT. He had some memorable bouts in NXT when he won the NXT title once. In fact, he also won the NXT Superstar of the Year in 2014. However, he failed to replicate the same performance on the main roster. Though Zayn made his main roster debut in 2016, he has not managed to win a title.
Sami Zayn might alter his appalling run on the main roster after he returns from the injury. There is no denying that Zayn is an exceptional performer in the squared circle and he can offer a mind-boggling bout against Finn Balor. Zayn could grab his maiden main roster title if he manages to beat Finn Balor at the Show of Shows.
