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After defeating The Miz and Finn Balor at WWE WrestleMania 34, Seth Rollins became the new Intercontinental Champion. After that, he defended it almost on every single episode of RAW - thereby elevating it to the top title of RAW - at least for the WWE Universe. The Architect defended the workhorse championship against the likes of Elias, Mojo Rowley, and Kevin Owens.
However, he lost the title to Dolph Ziggler on the RAW after WWE Money in the Bank 2018 in an open challenge match due to a distraction from Drew McIntyre. At Extreme Rules, Seth failed to capture his title back from Ziggler in a 30-minute iron match after he lost the bout 5-4 in extra time. However, at SummerSlam, with a little help from his shield brother Dean Ambrose, Rollins won the title back from the show-off.
Since then, the Intercontinental title has been barely defended. The title was not for grabs at Hell in a Cell - as Rollins and Dean Ambrose challenged Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler for the RAW Tag Team championships. The title was not also defended on WWE Super showdown - as the Shield took on the team of Braun Strowman, Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler. Even at WWE crown jewel, the title will not be defended since Rollins is a part of the world cup tournament.
Thus, as of now, the IC title is abating into irrelevancy yet again. That should not happen considering where the title was three months ago. Hence, in this list, we will be talking about the five possible scenarios for the Intercontinental Championship.
#5 Seth Rollins continue as the champion
Even though Rollins has not defended the title much during his second reign, his first IC title reign was nothing short of a masterpiece. Hence, allowing the Architect to temporarily hold the belt until he sees off the lunatic Dean Ambrose would not be the worst idea - provided it would a short feud.
#4 Drop it to someone who needs it in an open challenge match
One of the best things Rollins has done during his first reign as the IC champion was the open challenges. Anyone could challenge Rollins once he issued the open challenge. That led to some of the most memorable matches in this year of RAW with him having great bouts with the likes of Finn Balor and Kevin Owens.
Since Rollins is in a rivalry with his Shield-brother Dean Ambrose, WWE could play a narrative of Dean costing Seth the title. There are many superstars on the RAW roster who needs a championship run. The recently turned face Elias can be a good fit. The first Universal champion Finn Balor could use a run with the workhorse title. Even Bobby Lashley can have a dominant title run with the IC championship.
#3 Baron Corbin screws Rollins to lose the IC title
Baron Corbin has been doing a commendable job as the interim General Manager of Monday Night RAW ever since RAW's commissioner Stephanie McMahon sent RAW's General Manager Kurt Angle for a vacation. Corbin has been garnering enough heat from the WWE universe. To make the already existing negative reaction, even more, worse, WWE can add some fuel to the fire.
Seth Rollins is the most fan-favourite babyface on RAW. Having the GM stacking the odds against the Architect would act as an outstanding catalyst for both Rollins as well as the lone wolf. Corbin could force Rollins to defend the title in a gauntlet match - or even give someone an impromptu opportunity to battle a tired Rollins. The possibilities are endless. This would help Rolling get over as a massive babyface and Corbin as a heat magnet heel.
#2 John Cena's grand slam
Seth Rollins and John Cena are two Superstars who share an amazing chemistry. Almost all of their singles matches have been excellent. Their SummerSlam bout in 2015, the gauntlet match face off earlier this year are two of such matches.
Even if you love or hate John Cena, you would admit that he deserves to be a grand slam champion. The 16-time world champion has given everything he can for the WWE. He has been a loyal employee and a major star during WWE's transition from the Ruthless Aggression era to the PG era.
Since Seth Rollins is set to have a mega feud against Dean Ambrose that transcends any titles or accolades, it would do no harm for Rollins to lose the Intercontinental title to Cena, especially with a neat distraction or interference from Dean Ambrose.
#1 Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins feud for the Intercontinental Championship
Dean Ambrose's shocking heel turn has opened a lot of doors in RAW. It is perfect if such personal rivalries do not involve any championships on the line. The feud between Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa meant more intense when it was not for the NXT title. Great rivalries such as Undertaker vs Brock Lesnar in 2015, Seth Rollins vs Dean Ambrose in 2014, Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels in 2010, and Undertaker vs Randy Orton in 2005 felt more real when the titles were taken out of the equation.
However, it is entirely possible to have an intense personal feud for a title. However, the Intercontinental title is still a mid-card title and hence having this feud built around the IC title may either drag the feud down or fortunately elevate the title. If it is the former, this feud, as well as the IC title, will take a back seat. But if it is the latter, the IC title will be etched as one of the most legitimate championships on RAW.
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