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Shinsuke Nakamura won his first Intercontinental Championship at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view two weeks ago. The King Of Strong Style defeated Finn Balor in an impromptu match at the kick-off show. With Balor out of the title picture due to the attack by Bray Wyatt, Nakamura will be looking for a new challenger for SummerSlam.
The second-biggest PPV on the calendar for WWE will emanate from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, on Sunday, August 11. WWE will be planning huge matches for the show, so we can expect a big Intercontinental Championship match as well.
Nakamura is a leading superstar and an integral part of SmackDown Live. WWE cannot leave him off of the SummerSlam match-card. In the coming weeks, we'll probably get to know who The Artist will be facing at the 'Biggest Party of the Summer'.
In this article, let's take a look at four opponents the Intercontinental Champion can face at SummerSlam.
#4 Cesaro
Cesaro vs. Shinsuke Nakamura is a match all true wrestling fans would love to see. If WWE gives them enough time, they will tear the house down. The Swiss Superman put on one hell of a show with Aleister Black at Extreme Rules. Without any significant build-up, the two wrestlers produced a cracker in just a week's time.
Cesaro lost to Aleister Black at the Extreme Rules PPV more than a week ago, due to which he lost some momentum. However, WWE will probably go for a face vs. heel feud for the Intercontinental Title, and Cesaro might be the best option to go for.
WWE has been planning a push for Cesaro, and this might be the right time to start it. Even if Cesaro doesn't win the title, the two can potentially produce the match of the night at SummerSlam.
#3 Buddy Murphy
Entering the Intercontinental Championship picture would be a huge promotion for Buddy Murphy. Murphy moved to SmackDown a couple of months ago, but he was seen on TV only once.
The last time he appeared was during Shane McMahon's town hall meeting, in which he did not support Kevin Owens, and said that he would slap Owens if he names him again. However, he has been used in dark match segments prior to the show in recent weeks against Ali.
Although it is unknown when we will get to see the former Cruiserweight Champion on TV, a feud with Shinsuke Nakamura for the Intercontinental Title would do wonders for him. With Eric Bischoff gradually taking over SmackDown, we can expect new talent to get more chances.
Nakamura is a top-class opponent and could do wonders for Murphy’s visibility. At the very least, this would be a high-quality match that could steal the show on any PPV.
#2 Aleister Black
Aleister Black finally made his much anticipated SmackDown Live in-ring debut at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view against Cesaro. Black's first match was pretty impressive, which he also won. He defeated Cesaro again on the following episode of SmackDown.
Now that Black is done with his first match on the blue brand, WWE will be looking to put him in a proper feud. A feud with Shinsuke Nakamura can be a great choice. Nakamura and Black, two great in-ring technicians, colliding with each other will produce a match worth watching.
A feud for the Intercontinental Championship will further establish Black as one of the top guys on the blue brand. Moreover, if guys like Black and Nakamura fight for the title, the prestige of the Intercontinental Title will increase even more.
If WWE goes in this direction and books it well, fans will get a fantastic series of matches between The Artist and The Dutch Destroyer.
#1 Ali
Ali had been on a roll since making his debut on SmackDown. From pinning the WWE Champion, to having a match for the WWE title within a month of joining the main roster, Ali became a fan-favorite with his impressive performance.
His spectacular run came to a halt when he suffered an injury in February, earlier this year.
But now, Ali is looking towards bigger things. A couple of weeks ago, Ali was seen congratulating Shinsuke Nakamura on his win at SmackDown, which may be a hint that he is interested in being the next contender for the Intercontinental Title.
A feud between Ali and Nakamura would give him the spotlight to prove himself as one of the greatest wrestlers on the blue brand, while some classic matches will be booked under The Artist's title reign.
Nakamura vs. Ali for the Intercontinental Championship looks the most likely for the biggest party of the summer. If WWE gives them enough time, we can expect a match of the year candidate from them.
Who do you think could challenge Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Intercontinental Championship? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
