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TLC has just concluded and I must say that it was one of the most intense pay-per-views of 2018. When WWE books a good show, they always do a good job. One of the biggest news items coming out of the event is the Intercontinental Championship belt switching hands. Dean Ambrose is now your Intercontinental Champion.
In this article, I shall delve on 5 reasons why this title change happened. Feel free to chime in and let me know your thoughts too. I am curious to know why you feel the Intercontinental Championship changed hands at TLC.
Of course, this is a speculative article, so there's absolutely no guarantee that my assessment is right. But I'm combining my speculation with rumours that have emerged and I think I can make a few educated guesses in the comments.
Here are 5 reasons why we have a new Intercontinental Champion.
#5 To move Seth Rollins up to the Universal Championship picture
Seth Rollins has been the rock that anchored the mid card when Roman Reigns held the Universal Championship. But even since he's been gone, Rollins has become the top babyface in the brand. Last week, we saw him take the fight to Corbin and even put on a splendid main event match against him.
Rumours have indicated that Seth Rollins may be the favourite to win the Royal Rumble and go on to challenge Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 35. Roman Reigns' illness was also going to be made part of this storyline, to build heat for the same. Therefore, it made sense to have Rollins lose the Intercontinental Championship here.
This allows him to ascend the ladder and become the top tier superstar on RAW. Ambrose can now be the anchor that holds the mid card together.
#4 To book a rematch
Yes, I know that a lot of the WWE Universe did not seem too enthused with the Intercontinental Championship match at TLC. While it may have suffered from following the excellent Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles match, Ambrose vs. Rollins is a huge match for RAW. In fact, the two men could have a more receptive audience if they wrestle again.
And there is bound to be a rematch. One that Ambrose will win because of the reasons outlined in the previous page. But for what it is worth, it will be a match that the RAW audience will stick around three hours to watch.
Ambrose and Rollins have the capability to put on a good match when needed. Why their match was a dud at TLC is because the crowd only wanted to see Becky Lynch tear it up.
The rematch should be awesome.
#3 There is an untold story with Renee Young
Educated wrestling fans like yourself read websites like Sportskeeda and are hence aware that Ambrose is married to Renee Young. Even casual fans that watch Total Divas know that the two are a couple. Interestingly, while the husband is a devious heel on RAW, the wife is a babyface on commentary. But there's more to the story than meets the eye.
Corey Graves has constantly been probing and prodding to find out the inside scoop with what's happening between Ambrose and Young. It is but natural that he would considering that his own colleague lives in the same house as the brand new Intercontinental Champion. There is a lot more to this story and until it reaches its logical conclusion, Dean Ambrose will continue to remain a focal point on RAW.
#2 Rollins was not the best Intercontinental Champion on RAW
It's not Rollins' fault, really. He's such a popular character that he is involved in a variety of storylines, many of which were more seemingly important than the fate of the Intercontinental Championship. As a result, the Intercontinental Championship became an afterthought.
In fact, with Ambrose holding the title now, a lot of other superstars can earn a shot at the title. Babyfaces such as Balor and Elias could benefit from feuding with the Lunatic Fringe. One could say that Rollins' run did much to erase the incredible job that The Miz had done in elevating the worth of the Intercontinental Championship.
Because The Universal Championship doesn't appear on RAW every week, the Intercontinental Championship could have been the main title on RAW. Somehow, WWE Creative did not deem it important.
#1 To lend some credibility to Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose shocked the world when he turned heel on the same night that Roman Reigns announced that he was battling leukemia. And then his momentum just fizzled out. Ambrose went from being the hottest commodity on RAW to being booked in humorous segments. Why was he getting shots immediately after turning heel?
By having him win the title, some semblance of seriousness is restored. He can be a credible heel, one that people are scared of. Remember that he was always the weakest booked member of The Shield, taking the dreaded pin whenever the team needed to lose.
And now, Ambrose has a chance to branch out on his own and write his own story on RAW. Could he become the best heel of the current era?
For his sake, let's hope he does so!
One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE
