5 Unexpected WWE Superstars who can win the Intercontinental title

WWE's Intercontinental title is an iconic Championship that has history and is one of the stepping stones for Superstars to become future champions.

The Intercontinental title, though, has been neglected a bit in the last year or so. The current champion, Shinsuke Nakamura, has held the belt for nearly 150 days, having won the title back at Extreme Rules. At the PPV, he defeated Finn Balor on the pre-show to win the title for the very first time.

The title was moved to SmackDown when Balor brought it with him after the 2019 Superstar Shake-Up. But, he went on to lose it after almost 100 days holding the belt. Nakamura, since winning the belt, has not had too many memorable feuds with the belt, and it's probably the right time to move the title onto another Superstar.

Let's take a look at 5 unexpected WWE Superstars who can win the Intercontinental title:

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#5 Elias

Elias returned to WWE television on SmackDown last week

Elias returned to WWE television on the 30th November edition of SmackDown Live, where he said that he was in a "journey, outwards and inwards", and now is back for good. Elias was nursing an injury which resulted in him being off television for over two months.

What was unique about Elias' return was that he seems to have transitioned to being a babyface on SmackDown Live, after being a heel for the majority of his main roster run.

This could be the right time for him to enter into a feud for the Intercontinental title, and win his very first title in WWE (we aren't counting the 24/7 title as a serious title). It'll be interesting to see Elias mix it up with Nakamura, and even exchange a few promos with Nakamura's mouthpiece Sami Zayn.

#4 Sheamus

Another Superstar who returned to WWE television last week on SmackDown is Sheamus, who has been out of action since the week after WrestleMania 35. The Celtic Warrior sported a new look, reminiscent of his early days in WWE, and he seems to mean business and said that he would "ravage everything in his way".

Sheamus has held the WWE Heavyweight Championship, United States Championship, both Tag Team Championships and winning the Intercontinental Championship will make him the 22nd Grand Slam Champion in WWE.

It will be interesting to see if Sheamus is going to be a babyface or heel once he returns to the ring. A babyface run will be perfect for him to feud with Shinsuke Nakamura, who could put on great matches in the ring.

Sheamus may be in the last few years of his career in WWE and deserves another singles run with the Intercontinental title around his waist.

#3 Mustafa Ali

Mustafa Ali

Mustafa Ali could have been in a world title match at WrestleMania 35, but injury resulted in that opportunity going to Kofi Kingston. But, Ali will get another opportunity in the future as he is highly-rated by WWE and is perhaps going to be one of the big stars of the promotion for the next half a decade or more.

Ali has never held any title in WWE since signing for them in 2016, but 2020 should be when he has a title around his waist so that he can eventually fight for a top WWE title in the future.

Ali is a much-loved babyface in WWE currently which could make for a great feud against a hated heel like Shinsuke Nakamura. What makes this feud work is also the underdog element as Ali will be against not only Nakamura but also Sami Zayn, who has been by the Intercontinental Champion's side over the last few months.

#2 King Corbin

King Corbin

King Corbin, formerly known as Baron Corbin, is perhaps the most hated heel in WWE, not only because he's a heel, but also because of how prominent he has been in WWE storylines over the last year or so.

WWE officials backstage have rewarded him with a push perhaps because of his dedication and how he's a reliable person to bank upon. Corbin, who moved to SmackDown during the WWE Draft, has been in a feud with Roman Reigns, which has gone from a bearable feud to downright ridiculous.

It's time WWE put an end to this pointless feud as we have seen it many times before. Corbin is a decent heel, who can evoke boos from fans, and it's time WWE put him in a feud for a mid-card title like the Intercontinental title.

Pairing him against Nakamura doesn't quite make sense as both are heels currently, and he should perhaps enter into a feud for that title after it is around the waist of a babyface.

#1 Sami Zayn

Is a betrayal on the cards?

We have lost track of the number of times Sami Zayn has turned babyface to heel and vice versa. He is currently serving as a heel manager-like character, being the mouthpiece for Shinsuke Nakamura.

He has excelled in this role and plays the heel part very well, but it's time he steps into the ring once again.

Zayn deserves a run with a mid-card title like the Intercontinental title and perhaps this could happen when he turns on Nakamura and then challenges him for the title. This could also be a way to turn Nakamura babyface as his character has become quite stale lately, and he needs to turn babyface soon.

We could maybe see this happen in the next few weeks, which will be perfect timing to set up a match between the two at Royal Rumble which takes place next month.

Zayn needs to be utilized as a wrestler on SmackDown or at least moved over to NXT to make full use of his potential.