It has been quite the week in WWE. It all started Sunday when WWE rolled out their best pay-per-view this year in Great Balls of Fire. RAW was handed the baton and immediately began speeding to SummerSlam. While SmackDown was more of a jog, we’re still moving forward.
No one in WWE had a better week than Samoa Joe. But the silver medal for most productive week goes to WWE’s secondary titles, the Intercontinental Championship and US Championship.
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Both belts have been treading water for several weeks. The Miz and Dean Ambrose look to have finally closed a feud that seemingly lasted a full calendar year. For the US Belt, it’s been preoccupied with the spectacle that was Money in the Bank, and a shorter SmackDown just doesn’t have enough room for it to be defended on weekly basis.
But they have both awoken. However, is one more promising than the other? Let’s break down what’s ignited these
BUY: Intercontinental Championship
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The Mizย means so much to the Intercontinental Championship. Since the day after WreslteManiaย 32ย he’s enjoyed 3 turns with the prestigious title. When we look back at this time in WWE history, this will be knownย as the Miz’sย Era with the IC belt.ย
Part of the reason why Miz’s IC reign has been so good was his rivalry with Dean Ambrose. While it may not have been all-time good, it was a fun, competitiveย way to make sure the Intercontinental picture thrived. And now, their feud looks to be over.
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As good as it’s been, it needed to be done. We all collectivelyย groaned when Ambrose interrupted the Mizzies this Monday. It felt like we were lingering – like a dead relationship with an ex. We needed a reason to move on but had yet to meet anyone new.
Cue Seth Rollins.
All signs point to Rollins and Mizย entering a long program over the Intercontinentalย Championship. This is a great thing. While Rollins may feel like he’s going backward, that just not the case. The King Slayer is trying his chops at being a babyface. It’s been just OK so far, but a storyline with the best heel in WWEย could be the perfectย remedy.
With Mizย only improving and Rollins getting his best opportunity as a babyface, we’re bullish in the future of the Intercontinental Championship. ย It keeps a narrow lead on SmackDown’sย US Championship. But that title too is showing signs of promise.ย
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BUY: United States Championship
Regardless of how you feel about Kevin Owens, he was merely keeping the US Championship warm. It’s not entirely his fault, as WWE’s schedule kept the title from trulyย growing. But today, the US belt is piping hot. All it needed was a little surprise.
When AJ Styles shocked everyone by pinning Owens at a Madisonย Square Garden house show, the US Championship jolted back to life.
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Maybe we’re still hungover from July the 4th, but AJ Styles with the red, white, and, blue belt feels fitting. Even thoughย it’s a littleย small for AJ’sย feet, his compellingย status is inflating the belt by the day.ย
WWEย pulled one hell of a bait and switch with Styles’ first US Championship Open Challenge, switching out John Cenaย vs. AJ Styles for a tag match. But let’s hope that the belt will be defended weekly like it was when John Cenaย was it’s owner. That actually is a perfect way to book Styles and the Championship. While Styles man does not own a transcendental personality,ย his wrestling ability is certainly that.ย
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