WWE WrestleMania 36: 5 possible Intercontinental Championship matches that could happen at the event

After four hard years on the WWE main roster, Sami Zayn has finally won a Championship!

Well, it wasn't the most thrilling of circumstances, but he is still the new Intercontinental Champion after pinning Braun Strowman in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match at Elimination Chamber. This must be vindication for the former NXT Champion, whose momentum was stunted by Strowman back in 2017.

But now, let us look forward. Sami Zayn could be walking into WrestleMania as the Intercontinental Champion and the possibilities are endless.

There is no guessing how Zayn's title reign will play out and how Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro will factor into it after they helped him defeat the Monster Among Men to win IC gold. Maybe his days as a manager are finished and we get the return of the 'Underdog from the Underground'.

Here are five Intercontinental Championship matches that Sami Zayn could have, at WrestleMania 36.

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#5 Sami Zayn vs Shinsuke Nakamura vs Cesaro

These three could put on a masterpiece.

The trio of Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro seems like a wrestling fan's dream, with three amazing in-ring workers joining forces. Fans were finally vindicated, as they beat Braun Strowman at Elimination Chamber.

But, this trio could explode after potential disagreements over who should be the Intercontinental Champion, as the "manager" of the group won the title. Zayn vs Cesaro vs Nakamura is such a dream match and would be perfect for helping the IC Title return to its glory days as the workhorse belt.

If Sami Zayn is to transition back into the excellent wrestler he once was, this would be the perfect way to do it. Facing both of his clients in a triple threat for his title would surely light a fire under the former El Generico.

#4 Sami Zayn vs Braun Strowman

Braun Strowman might destroy Sami Zayn.

Maybe there isn't much to it and the storyline between Sami Zayn and Braun Strowman continues till WrestleMania. While Zayn winning the title may be satisfying for so many fans, the conclusion to that match was not so satisfying for the babyface.

Strowman could get a one-on-one rematch against Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania, with no outside interference allowed. Maybe, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro disassociate themselves from him in the build-up, leaving him all alone to get squashed by the Monster Among Men at the Show of Shows.

If he will remain the obnoxious and annoying mouthpiece, then this is a very big possibility. It would give Braun Strowman a singles title victory at WrestleMania, while Sami Zayn receives his comeuppance in the grandest way possible.

This may be where WWE is going with him and Strowman as we are approaching 'Mania. Zayn could use the post-WrestleMania period to re-evaluate his career and possibly come back stronger, as a babyface again. One can hope.

#3 Sami Zayn vs Shinsuke Nakamura vs Cesaro vs Braun Strowman

Could a 4-way be on the horizon?

How about we combine the two previous entries to form one big WrestleMania match? With Sami Zayn likely to be more obnoxious than ever and brag about his "hard-fought" victory, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro might end up challenging him for the Intercontinental Championship.

Add to that a very angry Monster, and you've got an interesting Fatal-4-Way match for the title at the Show of Shows. This is where Braun Strowman could get his revenge on Sami Zayn, as well as the others, and capture the IC Title once and for all.

This is a likely scenario for all men involved, but the match will probably not go very long. It would still be nice to see the likes of Cesaro and Zayn get a singles title match at WrestleMania. Hopefully, we can move on past WrestleMania with a healthy Intercontinental title scene.

If you want to stack the odds even more against Sami Zayn, another couple of Superstars could be added to make this a Ladder Match. The upper midcard on SmackDown is a pretty crowded place

#2 Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro vs Braun Strowman and Tyson Fury

Will Zayn, Nakamura, and Cesaro feel the fury?

WWE is always insistent on creating WrestleMania moments, no matter how silly they can get. Sami Zayn winning the Intercontinental Championship from Braun Strowman might prove to be the gateway for that one ridiculous 'Mania moment. One in which Zayn will get his comeuppance in grander fashion.

Strowman was completely outnumbered by Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Cesaro at Elimination Chamber. So maybe, he enlists some help from a past rival. Someone who happens to be the lineal world heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury.

The Monster Among Men had a match with Fury at last year's Crown Jewel event and joined forces with him a week later, teasing a tag team match together. That tag team match could come at WrestleMania, after Fury's big victory over Detonay Wilder.

Braun Strowman could win back the Intercontinental Championship from Sami Zayn after Tyson Fury helps to neutralize Nakamura and Cesaro. It is a major possibility, now that Fury's stock is as high as ever. This would be one moment completely for casual fans.

#1 Sami Zayn vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Fight forever!

It all started with Shinsuke Nakamura. Sami Zayn transitioned over from being a wrestler to a manager by accompanying the then-Intercontinental Champion. Cesaro joined the tandem later on, but the main story was always with Zayn and Nakamura.

Even at Elimination Chamber, Zayn entered the arena to Nakamura's music. This might be a deliberate move from WWE, as they finally give us the ultimate NXT rematch. Sami Zayn vs Shinsuke Nakamura. Intercontinental Championship on the line. This would be long-term booking at its finest.

The two faced off in one of the most significant matches in NXT history, during WrestleMania weekend in 2016. Nakamura made his NXT debut, while Zayn wrestled his NXT swansong. It was less of a match and more of a piece of art. These two gave birth to the "Fight forever" chant.

This would require Braun Strowman and Cesaro to move away from the IC Title scene, but Zayn vs Nakamura is the perfect match to transition the Intercontinental Champion back into a full-time wrestler. It would be one hell of a 'Mania match and a 'Mania moment.