I honestly think Gunther will win the 2024 Royal Rumble as Intercontinental Champion and will go on to win the World Heavyweight Championship from whoever is champion at that point.
I'm not completely against the concept of a former world champion going after the secondary title. Not everyone is suited or could stay in contention at the top. Like the Miz for instance is better in the mid card than he was when he was at the top and you could use veterans like him to put over better talent who is projected to be your top guy.
I figured this is the most controversial of my points. Especially if you're a territory fan. But for me, if you're not suited for the top then you shouldn't be there in the first place. And if you get there by accident and it doesn't work, then there's the door. My perfect example is Jinder Mahal. Never should have been WWE champion. But once they tried it and it failed, they should have just fired him. Because now a former world champion is jobbing in developmental just several years after holding the belt. Which consequently isn't doing any favors for the guys who he beat to retain along the way. High risk, high reward, but also harsh penalties. Jinder's US title win didn't help that belt at all and he's not getting anyone over who beats him
@@DaveKnowsWrestling well Jinder is just awful in general and was only wwe champion for the india market. He wouldn't even make the cut as a mid card champion if I was a smart booker booking things. But there is no harm if you try to put someone like a prime Shelton Benjamin in the main event. I think he would have worked but I know he's better in the mid card/tag team division.
Totally agree however for it to work properly you need the IC and US titles to be brand specific. This way, each brand has a clear #1 contender. WWE won’t let it happen because it eschews anything from the territory days.
I don't think it has anything to do with the territories. If that was true they wouldn't even have the brand split the way you suggest it to begin with.
I have been saying this for awhile. The IC belt should be #1 for one show and the US should be #1 on the other show. The world title show be defended on all big 4 Wrestlemania, Summerslam, survivor series, and Royal Rumble and 4 other PPV. 2 would be for Raw one in the spring and one in the fall same for Smack down
My thing with the idea of the IC belt being used as a "stepping stone" is - while there are promotions that should be doing better job at it generally speaking, the problem with ear marking someone that way to get to that next level is your batting average will never be 100% even with the best of bookers. There will be some wrestlers who'll win that IC belt that won't get over as much as a promotion will want them to be. That's why I think a lot of them use it more as a litmus test rather than a stepping stone. In addition to that is the million other variables and points of unpredictability regardless how well you plan things out in advance. Therefore, while it sounds good on paper as a rule of thumb, an IC title win shouldn't automatically mean they have to then become World Champion.
We know Cody Rhodes is going to be staying in the World Championship picture. WWE need to give him the title. I don't see Cody going midcard championship.
@@DaveKnowsWrestling Sir, I love the content that you provide. I have been in this business 30 years. I CAN NOT go to the movies with ANY ONE because I find all the imperfections. Thank you for PERSONALLY talking to ME. I AM grateful.❤🤙🏼🎉 VERY MUCH RESPECT
I dig it, the IC and US title should be for potential main eventers that need a year or two of strong booking before the trigger is pulled. Then a TV or European Title can be for the midcard lifers to have something to fight for
Maybe its just me but the IC title has always been my favorite title. If i was a WWE wrestler and i win the IC title my life is complete...i don't mind skipping the WWE title or WHC....just the IC title is enough for me.
In my own opinion it was never the "stepping stone" belt but more the "workhorse" belt. In the old days the IC champ had to draw on his own because the world champ might not be on the card in the 80s. By the 90's it was still the workhorse but by that point the world champ like Yoko, Bret & Diesel were on every card anyway. It wasnt until the late 90s the title got devalued with the god awful "everyone gets a turn" mentality that only just now bit the dust after HHH took over. If the title is to mean something again it has to be defended on ppv with lengthy champions. If McIntyre does neat Gunther have him hold it for at least 6 months and defend it against Gunther, Sheamus, etc
The only reason it had so much prestige back in the day was because Vince booked other people's world champions as mid-card filler, while his own main event roster roided against the monster mash. Once that divide was gone, then an IC reign just meant you weren't ready to main event. How can there be prestige in that? At least now, WWE seems to be leaning into the "great in-ring storytelling." reputation, which can still contrast with sports entertainment flash. And give new life to wrestlers who would have been overlooked in a more shallow time.
WWE planning ahead or making adjustments for someone getting over? That would be nice, but those don't seem to be WWE strong suits these days. Great video as always.
One thing I'd add to the stay in your lane section or an additional rule is that if the intercontinental champion gets a year long reign (or points whatever tickles the fan) they get a guaranteed opportunity within a two month period for the major world championship. They do that, they forfeit the IC Title. Similar to what Impact did.
In my opinion what WWE is doing with the intercontinental championship is good! they are building this unstoppable force on Gunther. Is making the IC important
I am still waiting for the Women's Intercontinental Championship to arrive ha ha. Do you think it could be treated as a genuine accomplishment, like the men's version? I personally feel it could compelling if some of the upcoming stars won it, especially considering the number of women in NXT currently.
Not even a little. The roster isn't large enough, women don't get enough screen time and just look how the women's tag titles have been handled. And as was mentioned in this very video, the men's IC title isn't even being treated well consistently
this is stuff i've been saying for years! cause the IC title needs it's Mystique back. and on a side note :why can't the US title be on the same level as the IC Title on Smackdown using those same points that you've brought up.
I wouldn’t mind Dragunov being IC champ but he shouldn’t be the one to dethrone Gunther tho. In fact I want Dragunov to be Gunther’s last opponent before he passes the record. There has to be two world titles and separate brand PLEs, I’m sick of Roman’s title run and I’d be willing to just watch the Raw PLEs.
*I N T E R C O N T I N E N T A L* *OPEN* 2 Night broadcast on Peacock (Sat/Sun) 16 "former IC champions" Tournament (consisting of current WWE stars and "borrowed" active stars outside of WWE) - the final match in the 1st round (Night 1's Main Event): Edge vs. Christian.. billed ONE MORE TIME - ONE LAST TIME Retired IC champions are shown throughout the night (even a Batista/Flair/hHh/HBK/Nash/Godfather/D'lo segment for comic relief) Special Guest on Night 1: The Rock Special Guest on Night 2: Stone Cold Tribute videos on both nights, to posthumous IC champs; showing their moments of victory (Savage def. Santana, Warrior def. Honky at SS'88, Rude def. Warrior at WMV, Hennig/Tornado/Piper/Bulldog/Owen/Chyna/Eddie/Test/Umaga/Harper etc.) Tournament Winner on Night 2 receives a plaque in the shape of the original belt's center plate & a title shot at the current IC champion (at the following next of the Big 4 events).
Cody need to esrn his way back-up the card start from the bottom. Give him till wrestlemania to get in the world title picture. Everybody else worked harder than he did. Eventually damian priest will get the title before him. Unless wwe do and cash in the money in the bank be botched. There have been many botched cash ins
If bringing bron breaker up why not make him ic champ until he faces the universal champ and his lady cora jade women's champion they can be an on air couple with titles that are winners unlike Kross and skarlet or Rachael and strowman
Gunther brought back I.C. belt. He has lose the strap at Survivor Series to Ricochet . Give Ricochet that push , that he deserved. Ricochet could be that baby face , hope they have him beat Logan Paul.
My Reason to tune in RAW is just becouse of the IC Title. I certainly dont Care About the WWE Belt anymore. Its not getting defendet or even Shown in relugar Programming. I Never see any Challengers for itnor the Champ himself. They could leave the Belt Backstage from now on and nothing would change.
Another solution to save the intercontinental championship is to let it be defended on the main shows (Raw,SD,NXT) no house shows or main event (why WWE continues to have that show around the ecosystem beats me)
I respectfully disagree. If you look at your list at the beginning of the video, how many of those IC champs realistically deserved a shot at being a WWF/WWE Heavyweight Champion? The IC strap has always been a measuring stick to see what a guy (or gal in Chyna's case) has and what they can do which does make it a stepping stone. Unfortunately not everyone has "it," to get to the top of the mountain. Also, some guys like Rick Rude and Mr.Perfect had the misfortune of being in the company when Hogan and Warrior were on top. Could you imagine The Mountie or Test or Ryback as a World Champion? As The Macho Man said, 'The cream rises to the top!"
Dontcha think that using the Intercontinental Title as a stepping stone reserved ONLY for future World Champions would be a bit of a spoiler alert? No? You’re right, it would be a HUGE spoiler alert. WWE is already predictable enough as it is, dontcha think? Bruce Prichard has gone on the record to clarify that nobody in WWE ever claimed it was the “workhorse” title. That is a proclamation made by fans and armchair bookers.
As I have mentioned from the beginning of this channel I dont think predictability in wrestling is necessarily a bad thing. Its what makes things satisfying. And if you think WWE is predictable then apparently you didnt hear the army of fans in shock that Cody isnt WWE champion right now. Further more as for the workhorse thing like I said with the stepping stone title it should be used they way we perceive it to be. If it has that reputation and its endured why not use it that way. Even if it aint never been true
Tailoring your product to the desires of the consumer is just business. If that is your definition of things, then pushing a guy just because he's over is the inmates running the asylum
I STRONGLY disagree with the notion that Dragunov isn’t World champion material!! Amazing in ring on the mic intensity liability..5 star matches.. plus Triple H loves the guy!!! Not hard to see why.. He defeated Gunther’s (fka WALTER) 870 day reign as NXT UK Champion!! At this point I’d he doesn’t win the NXT Title.. call him up.. he’s above the NA Title( which shouldn’t be held by a main roster talent.. but I digress).. hasn’t really been in the tag team scene as I recall.. the longer he stays in NXT not winning the Title.. the worse it’ll get for him
Just to be clear this has nothing to do with liking him or not or is it saying he isn't good. But he does not have the look, the mic skills nor the personality that WWE typically goes for when it comes to their world champions. That's not to say they have one specific look or just one type and not that they dont occasionally break their own pattern. But as we can see from his current booking, it just seems unlikely that Dragunov will be a future world champion in WWE. Its fairly obvious to most people
I honestly think Gunther will win the 2024 Royal Rumble as Intercontinental Champion and will go on to win the World Heavyweight Championship from whoever is champion at that point.
with The Rock vs Roman Reigns likely to happen at WrestleMania, that is definitely likely
@@Abridgimation this was before Pumk rumors. I’m almost certain that was the direction they were heading
Another interesting video Dave! I love your pitches to elevate the IC strap
Would like a video like this about the U.S. Championship. Last time I cared about that title was when Bobby Lashley had it.
2:07 Lmao, Hack Break Skid 🤣
I'm not completely against the concept of a former world champion going after the secondary title. Not everyone is suited or could stay in contention at the top. Like the Miz for instance is better in the mid card than he was when he was at the top and you could use veterans like him to put over better talent who is projected to be your top guy.
I figured this is the most controversial of my points. Especially if you're a territory fan. But for me, if you're not suited for the top then you shouldn't be there in the first place. And if you get there by accident and it doesn't work, then there's the door. My perfect example is Jinder Mahal. Never should have been WWE champion. But once they tried it and it failed, they should have just fired him. Because now a former world champion is jobbing in developmental just several years after holding the belt. Which consequently isn't doing any favors for the guys who he beat to retain along the way. High risk, high reward, but also harsh penalties. Jinder's US title win didn't help that belt at all and he's not getting anyone over who beats him
@@DaveKnowsWrestling well Jinder is just awful in general and was only wwe champion for the india market. He wouldn't even make the cut as a mid card champion if I was a smart booker booking things. But there is no harm if you try to put someone like a prime Shelton Benjamin in the main event. I think he would have worked but I know he's better in the mid card/tag team division.
Dude, I love your channel!!! How the hell did I not know about you? You just got a new subscriber man!
Welcome to the KnowItAll Nation. So glad to have you here and thank you
Totally agree however for it to work properly you need the IC and US titles to be brand specific. This way, each brand has a clear #1 contender. WWE won’t let it happen because it eschews anything from the territory days.
I don't think it has anything to do with the territories. If that was true they wouldn't even have the brand split the way you suggest it to begin with.
I have been saying this for awhile. The IC belt should be #1 for one show and the US should be #1 on the other show. The world title show be defended on all big 4 Wrestlemania, Summerslam, survivor series, and Royal Rumble and 4 other PPV. 2 would be for Raw one in the spring and one in the fall same for Smack down
Bring back that Ultimate Warrior/Razor Ramon IC design back!
Thanks for the amazing video
My thing with the idea of the IC belt being used as a "stepping stone" is - while there are promotions that should be doing better job at it generally speaking, the problem with ear marking someone that way to get to that next level is your batting average will never be 100% even with the best of bookers. There will be some wrestlers who'll win that IC belt that won't get over as much as a promotion will want them to be. That's why I think a lot of them use it more as a litmus test rather than a stepping stone. In addition to that is the million other variables and points of unpredictability regardless how well you plan things out in advance. Therefore, while it sounds good on paper as a rule of thumb, an IC title win shouldn't automatically mean they have to then become World Champion.
Great video! Next video should be on how to save the US Championship
We know Cody Rhodes is going to be staying in the World Championship picture. WWE need to give him the title. I don't see Cody going midcard championship.
I don't think so either but Ric Flair won it. So who knows what WWE is thinking sometimes
Flair was 55 when he won I.C. strap.
Yep a real stepping stone for that up and comer
@@DaveKnowsWrestling when you beat brock clean and main event ppvs ...youre above i c championship
@@Mega_CollosasHe's not bigger than Roman or Rollins tho
Nice to see you got hbk's and hunters names spelled right😂
Yep... had to keep that from last time!
Yep, nothing to argue with here. Solid.
King Dave, if this wasn't mentioned, more tournaments for the strap. Those keep the belt interesting and keeps storylines consistent
😂😂😂 Oh Dave that was EPIC!!! HACK BREAK SKID AND HUNTER McMaHON!!!!!!😂😂😂❤❤❤
Always glad when people appreciate that joke
@@DaveKnowsWrestling Sir, I love the content that you provide. I have been in this business 30 years. I CAN NOT go to the movies with ANY ONE because I find all the imperfections. Thank you for PERSONALLY talking to ME. I AM grateful.❤🤙🏼🎉 VERY MUCH RESPECT
Much respect back at you and yes I too know what its like to be in the industry and ruin it for other people thank you for talking yourself
I dig it, the IC and US title should be for potential main eventers that need a year or two of strong booking before the trigger is pulled. Then a TV or European Title can be for the midcard lifers to have something to fight for
1. Bring back the old title design
And that's it
Maybe its just me but the IC title has always been my favorite title.
If i was a WWE wrestler and i win the IC title my life is complete...i don't mind skipping the WWE title or WHC....just the IC title is enough for me.
It WAS mine too... then the Attitude Era happened
Whenever I do universe mode in wwe 2k, the world titles are only defended on ppvs while the secondary are defended in the tv shows.
Exactly..that's the purpose of my TV championship.
In my own opinion it was never the "stepping stone" belt but more the "workhorse" belt. In the old days the IC champ had to draw on his own because the world champ might not be on the card in the 80s. By the 90's it was still the workhorse but by that point the world champ like Yoko, Bret & Diesel were on every card anyway. It wasnt until the late 90s the title got devalued with the god awful "everyone gets a turn" mentality that only just now bit the dust after HHH took over. If the title is to mean something again it has to be defended on ppv with lengthy champions. If McIntyre does neat Gunther have him hold it for at least 6 months and defend it against Gunther, Sheamus, etc
It's not even a matter of opinion, it's just fact, the IC title was never a stepping stone... even if it should be
The only reason it had so much prestige back in the day was because Vince booked other people's world champions as mid-card filler, while his own main event roster roided against the monster mash.
Once that divide was gone, then an IC reign just meant you weren't ready to main event. How can there be prestige in that?
At least now, WWE seems to be leaning into the "great in-ring storytelling." reputation, which can still contrast with sports entertainment flash.
And give new life to wrestlers who would have been overlooked in a more shallow time.
WWE planning ahead or making adjustments for someone getting over? That would be nice, but those don't seem to be WWE strong suits these days. Great video as always.
I didn't say this was likely I just think this is what it'll take... I can dream can't I
@@DaveKnowsWrestling Yep lol.
One thing I'd add to the stay in your lane section or an additional rule is that if the intercontinental champion gets a year long reign (or points whatever tickles the fan) they get a guaranteed opportunity within a two month period for the major world championship. They do that, they forfeit the IC Title. Similar to what Impact did.
Well while I appreciate the idea I tend to be a little hesitant in follow in the footsteps of TNA
Option C is stupid. That's like quitting your job in order to interview for a promotion,
For me TNA rules for gimmick matches usually got too convoluted. To degree I felt way about WCW as well
We really need a series on the united states championship
Depending on how this does and how many people request it, that may just happen
It can only brought back if all the sea of belts are retired that have come in since the WCW/WWF merger then brand split.
I Know I was late but Thank For the Video 🙊🤯🥰✌️🙂👌😃💝💐🌟🥇🏆
In my opinion what WWE is doing with the intercontinental championship is good! they are building this unstoppable force on Gunther. Is making the IC important
Agreed
We need the same series for the US title
I always thought they should go "afro samurai" no. 2 can challenge for no. 1. Anyone could challenge for no. 2. (I think that's how the show went)
I am still waiting for the Women's Intercontinental Championship to arrive ha ha. Do you think it could be treated as a genuine accomplishment, like the men's version? I personally feel it could compelling if some of the upcoming stars won it, especially considering the number of women in NXT currently.
Not even a little. The roster isn't large enough, women don't get enough screen time and just look how the women's tag titles have been handled. And as was mentioned in this very video, the men's IC title isn't even being treated well consistently
this is stuff i've been saying for years! cause the IC title needs it's Mystique back. and on a side note :why can't the US title be on the same level as the IC Title on Smackdown using those same points that you've brought up.
I wouldn’t mind Dragunov being IC champ but he shouldn’t be the one to dethrone Gunther tho. In fact I want Dragunov to be Gunther’s last opponent before he passes the record.
There has to be two world titles and separate brand PLEs, I’m sick of Roman’s title run and I’d be willing to just watch the Raw PLEs.
Okay
Step 1: Have Gunther beat people up.
???
Profit
That might actually be WWE's booking sheet
WWE should take their Mid-Card Titles Seriously so that they can be Kingmakers.
Love the IC title til the Attitude Era ruined it. Outside of D'lo Brown's IC win I hated the title & it's redesigns for a very long time.
Yea the Attitude Era really messed that belt up
*I N T E R C O N T I N E N T A L*
*OPEN*
2 Night broadcast on Peacock (Sat/Sun)
16 "former IC champions" Tournament (consisting of current WWE stars and "borrowed" active stars outside of WWE)
- the final match in the 1st round (Night 1's Main Event): Edge vs. Christian.. billed ONE MORE TIME - ONE LAST TIME
Retired IC champions are shown throughout the night (even a Batista/Flair/hHh/HBK/Nash/Godfather/D'lo segment for comic relief)
Special Guest on Night 1: The Rock
Special Guest on Night 2: Stone Cold
Tribute videos on both nights, to posthumous IC champs; showing their moments of victory (Savage def. Santana, Warrior def. Honky at SS'88, Rude def. Warrior at WMV, Hennig/Tornado/Piper/Bulldog/Owen/Chyna/Eddie/Test/Umaga/Harper etc.)
Tournament Winner on Night 2 receives a plaque in the shape of the original belt's center plate & a title shot at the current IC champion (at the following next of the Big 4 events).
Cody need to esrn his way back-up the card start from the bottom. Give him till wrestlemania to get in the world title picture. Everybody else worked harder than he did. Eventually damian priest will get the title before him. Unless wwe do and cash in the money in the bank be botched. There have been many botched cash ins
If bringing bron breaker up why not make him ic champ until he faces the universal champ and his lady cora jade women's champion they can be an on air couple with titles that are winners unlike Kross and skarlet or Rachael and strowman
Gunther brought back I.C. belt. He has lose the strap at Survivor Series to Ricochet . Give Ricochet that push , that he deserved. Ricochet could be that baby face , hope they have him beat Logan Paul.
I am a big Ricochet fan and want him to be treated better, but Gunther won it off of Ricochet. Giving it back to him is kind of pointless
My Reason to tune in RAW is just becouse of the IC Title.
I certainly dont Care About the WWE Belt anymore. Its not getting defendet or even Shown in relugar Programming. I Never see any Challengers for itnor the Champ himself.
They could leave the Belt Backstage from now on and nothing would change.
Another solution to save the intercontinental championship is to let it be defended on the main shows (Raw,SD,NXT) no house shows or main event (why WWE continues to have that show around the ecosystem beats me)
If it is defended on main event... well I wouldn't know. who watches it? I agree why is it a thing
I respectfully disagree. If you look at your list at the beginning of the video, how many of those IC champs realistically deserved a shot at being a WWF/WWE Heavyweight Champion? The IC strap has always been a measuring stick to see what a guy (or gal in Chyna's case) has and what they can do which does make it a stepping stone. Unfortunately not everyone has "it," to get to the top of the mountain. Also, some guys like Rick Rude and Mr.Perfect had the misfortune of being in the company when Hogan and Warrior were on top. Could you imagine The Mountie or Test or Ryback as a World Champion? As The Macho Man said, 'The cream rises to the top!"
For it to be a stepping stone by definition there has to be another one after it. Or else it's just a rock
@@DaveKnowsWrestling For the ones that make it to the next level, it is. My point is not everyone will make it to the next level.
So because less than a third of the wrestlers win the world title after winning the IC it still counts as a stepping stone to you. Got it
@@DaveKnowsWrestling So you're saying because someone wins the IC Title, they should be an automatic to win a heavyweight title?
Yes. That was my exact first point of this video. Was that not clear
Dontcha think that using the Intercontinental Title as a stepping stone reserved ONLY for future World Champions would be a bit of a spoiler alert? No? You’re right, it would be a HUGE spoiler alert. WWE is already predictable enough as it is, dontcha think?
Bruce Prichard has gone on the record to clarify that nobody in WWE ever claimed it was the “workhorse” title. That is a proclamation made by fans and armchair bookers.
As I have mentioned from the beginning of this channel I dont think predictability in wrestling is necessarily a bad thing. Its what makes things satisfying. And if you think WWE is predictable then apparently you didnt hear the army of fans in shock that Cody isnt WWE champion right now.
Further more as for the workhorse thing like I said with the stepping stone title it should be used they way we perceive it to be. If it has that reputation and its endured why not use it that way. Even if it aint never been true
@@DaveKnowsWrestling so basically, the inmates should run the asylum?
Not at all. That sure is jumping to conclusions
@@DaveKnowsWrestling WWE catering to "our perceptions" is the equivalent to letting the inmates (us) run the asylum (WWE).
Tailoring your product to the desires of the consumer is just business. If that is your definition of things, then pushing a guy just because he's over is the inmates running the asylum
I STRONGLY disagree with the notion that Dragunov isn’t World champion material!! Amazing in ring on the mic intensity liability..5 star matches.. plus Triple H loves the guy!!! Not hard to see why.. He defeated Gunther’s (fka WALTER) 870 day reign as NXT UK Champion!! At this point I’d he doesn’t win the NXT Title.. call him up.. he’s above the NA Title( which shouldn’t be held by a main roster talent.. but I digress).. hasn’t really been in the tag team scene as I recall.. the longer he stays in NXT not winning the Title.. the worse it’ll get for him
You pretty much proved my point for me
@@DaveKnowsWrestling but to say he’s not World champion material is extremely false.. so what he’s not 6’3 260…
Well it he's not gonna win the WWE world title then he's not WWE world title material. I will never understand how defensive people get
@@DaveKnowsWrestling you’re the one making these claims in these videos!! I’m asking why you don’t think he’s not World material!!
Just to be clear this has nothing to do with liking him or not or is it saying he isn't good. But he does not have the look, the mic skills nor the personality that WWE typically goes for when it comes to their world champions. That's not to say they have one specific look or just one type and not that they dont occasionally break their own pattern. But as we can see from his current booking, it just seems unlikely that Dragunov will be a future world champion in WWE. Its fairly obvious to most people