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As everyone probably knows by now, Roman Reigns became the Intercontinental Champion after he speared the living daylights out of the Miz on the fallout episode of Raw following WWE Survivor Series.
Some of you, who've still not warmed to the idea of him being Vince McMahon's 'chosen one' may resent that. Some of you, like the crowd that was present for today's episode of Monday Night Raw, may feel that he deserves it.
Whichever stance you adopt, you probably can't deny that the Intercontinental Title scene could have done with a change...especially since the other major single's Title for men on the brand hardly gets defended and never changes hands even when it does.
Also, the Miz had to leave in order to film the next instalment of the Marine...meaning that someone had to step up to the plate and pick up where he left off.
And personally, I think that it's good for all the parties involved that Roman Reigns was the man who did that. Here are 5 reasons why.
Elevates the Title
As much as the MIz was a phenomenal talker...well, that's all he really did, isn't it?
Sometimes, a Title needs defending regularly and even though the Hollywood A-Lister is a heel, the Intercontinental Title was going nowhere when he held it.
The segments that he appeared in were must-see not because of the Title he carried, but because of him.
While that certainly conveys that he was over as a Superstar, it also meant that the IC Title was an afterthought when he was in possession of it.
Also, it didn't help that he practically jobbed to Strowman and the Shield too.
The IC Title needs a strong champion that can defend it on a weekly basis and make it mean something more than just a prop that lends credibility to its holder.
In fact, I'm pretty certain that it needs to be the other way around.
And Roman Reigns may be just the guy to accomplish that.
Puts talent over
One more reason why Roman Reigns makes a great Intercontinental Champion is that it puts over other Superstars when they try and nick the Title off him.
For instance, Elias never looked as strong as he did earlier this week on Raw when he stepped up to challenge the Big Dog for the IC Championship.
And despite losing, the match that they had put him over plenty...much more than the past few months worth of concerts, grocery-throwing and guitar-breaking ever could.
If that is any indication as to the kind of rub other Superstars will receive when they fight him, the decision to have him as the IC Champion already makes a lot of sense.
Adds to the Mania' narrative
Everyone knows that Roman Reigns will probably go on to WrestleMania 34 and finally dethrone Brock Lesnar.
However, it's also pretty evident that in the meantime, the WWE wants to leave no stone unturned in getting him over and giving him every possible qualification so that it eventually makes sense when he does conquer the Beast.
And that also involves ticking off the Intercontinental Championship from the bucket list, so that they can promote him as a Grand Slam Champion on the road to WrestleMania.
It's another matter that the Intercontinental Championship picture needed a change of scenery at the same time too...making his winning the belt a marriage of convenience for the WWE.
Raw needs at least one Title defended regularly
Considering that the high exalted Brock Lesnar comes and goes as he damn well pleases - which isn't quite often enough for everyone else - it makes sense to have the other men's singles Title on Raw put on a person who will defend it regularly.
And Miz just wasn't that guy.
Which is why it especially makes sense for Roman Reigns to hold the IC Championship as we're sure to see him defend it against all comers, week-in, week-out.
Raw deserves at least one Title to be alive and kicking on a regular basis and if Roman Reigns is the man to make that happen, I don't have a problem with that at all.
Better for him to be chased
Now given that Reigns is pushed to the moon and back, it doesn't make sense for him to chase other Superstars that are below him on the totem pole.
One, because it doesn't do anything for him anymore as a character and two, because everyone knows that he's already going to win before the match ever happens.
Now that may still be the case when he's the IC Champion and he's the one that is being chased...but it at least makes more sense to book a Champion as an all-conquering monster.
It gives other Superstars a chance to express themselves when they're the ones doing the chasing which will only get them over further with the WWE Universe and when Reigns eventually beats back their challenge, he comes across as stronger too.
Really...what's the downside in all of this?
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