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In what was one of the most shocking moments of the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, Sami Zayn has finally won his first Championship on the WWE main roster.
Not only did Zayn win his first main roster title, but the Great Liberator also managed to outshine Braun Strowman yet again by pinning him clean in the middle of the ring.
Although one can argue that the odds were stacked against the Monster Among Men, this was a moment long overdue. For me, Sami Zayn is one of the greatest in-ring performers to ever step foot inside the squared circle, so seeing him walk out of Philadelphia with the Intercontinental Championship had me teary-eyed.
With Zayn walking into WrestleMania 36 with the prestigious Intercontinental Championship around his waist looking inevitable now, this article will analyze 5 interesting ways the former NXT sweetheart can defend his Intercontinental Title at the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Please leave a comment and share what you think about Sami Zayn's Intercontinental Title defense at WrestleMania 36.
#5 A singles match against Braun Strowman with both Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro banned from ringside
With Sami Zayn and Cesaro coercing their way into Braun Strowman's Intercontinental Championship match against Shinsuke Nakamura at the Elimination Chamber, we all knew the artistic trio would give The Monster Among Men a hard time. And that's what they did.
One cannot deny that Cesaro, Sami, and Nakamura are three masters of the mat and obviously had a plan heading into Philadelphia.
Judging by the way the storyline is being focused around Braun Strowman not being able to outshine the Great Liberator, I see WWE doing a singles match between them at the Showcase of Immortals.
Whilst I wouldn't want to see The Monster Among Men steamroll through the artistic trio, the possibility of Nakamura and Cesaro banned from ringside would make things tougher for Sami Zayn.
#4 The artistic trio turn on each other
If history is any indication, Sami Zayn doesn't have a fair amount of good memories roaming alongside his friends with a title around his waist.
Because almost everyone wants to have a WrestleMania moment, this could be a legitimate time for Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro to reexamine their loyalties and start craving for that gold.
From a storyline point of view, this makes absolute sense. A match with Strowman would be entertaining in its own right, but a clash between these three artists could bring the house down in the Raymond James Stadium.
Ever since the former NXT Champion aligned himself with Nakamura on Friday Night SmackDown, there were constant rumors concerning the two possibly turning on each other, giving us a big blow-off match at WrestleMania 36.
Since the current Intercontinental Champion shares some history with the Swiss Cyborg and the King of Strong Style, this could be a stellar way to defend the IC Title at the Show of Shows.
#3 Revisiting the Daniel Bryan storyline they left midway
Ever since Sami Zayn made the transition to the main roster, I have always wanted to see him collide with one of the greatest in-ring technicians in WWE history, Daniel Bryan.
Although the two did have a go at each other at WrestleMania 34, we are yet to see Bryan slug it out with the former NXT Champion in a singles match.
There was a time when the Great Liberator was heavily compared to Daniel Bryan, and whilst the two have had some interesting segments, it's about time WWE gives us a quality bout between them at WrestleMania 36.
There's so much story here. Judging by the way Daniel Bryan pushed for a match against Drew Gulak at Elimination Chamber, one cannot deny that the Leader of the Yes Movement has enough creative pull backstage and if he wants a program with Zayn at WrestleMania, he sure will get it.
Since WWE can go and visit the storyline they dropped midway between Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Bryan, the latter could also bring Drew Gulak in as his possible manager to make things even more interesting for WrestleMania 36.
#2 A returning Charismatic Enigma craves for one more Intercontinental Championship run
With Jeff Hardy likely to return to Friday Night SmackDown anytime soon, there's a legitimate possibility WWE could put him in a program against three of the best in-ring competitors on the planet.
Jeff certainly has a history with the Intercontinental Championship and could very well give us a classic bout against Sami Zayn at the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Imagine two of the very best in-ring performers of their respective generations colliding against each other and giving us a match for the ages. Jeff Hardy Vs. Sami Zayn, if properly booked, could give us something very special.
Although it's still a wild guess, there's a distinct possibility WWE could push the envelope with the Charismatic Enigma and give him this interesting feud for WrestleMania 36.
I reckon the segments between them would be incredible. Zayn has proved his mettle on the mic and could very well take some legit shots at Jeff Hardy, making this dream feud even more interesting and important for the Charismatic Enigma.
#1 A multi-man ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship
In my opinion, one of the best ways for Sami Zayn to defend the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 36 would be in a multi-man ladder match.
Though the Critic of Critics wouldn't want to defend his title with anyone anyway, I believe this could get the right amount of talent on the show whilst giving the IC Title the recognition it deserves.
If past ladder matches at the Grandest Stage of Them All are anything to go by, this could be an absolute show-stealer. Not a lot of creative booking may be required for this bout because the gimmick sells the title bout straight-away.
If Vince McMahon decides to open the Showcase of Immortals in Tampa with a ladder match, the likes of Sami Zayn, Daniel Bryan, Shinsuke Nakamura, Braun Strowman, Cesaro, Sheamus, and Jeff Hardy can blow the roof off the place.
Will Zayn defend the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania in a ladder match? Only time will tell.
