5 reasons why The Miz should win the Intercontinental Championship at Backlash 2018

At Backlash 2018, the WWE Universe would witness many rematches from WrestleMania, a whole host of time filler bouts and one crucial match that could shape the landscape of WWE in 2018.

The Miz vs Seth Rollins on paper may not seem like a match that has many stakes attached to it, but when further analyzing the possible consequences this match might hold for the future of Raw and SmackDown Live, it is hard to ignore the importance of this inter-brand bout.

Therefore, while many are expecting Seth Rollins to retain his Intercontinental title at Backlash easily, WWE should take a considerable risk and swerve fans. This year WWE has done many unpredictable things already and if Seth Rollins loses his mid-card title it might top their 2018 list of risks

Moreover, while most would suggest this would be a wrong decision just for the sake of shock value, the potential following this decision is quite beneficial to Raw and SmackDown Live.

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#1 The last chance to create history

The Miz should tie a record at Backlash this year.

The Miz has gone unnoticed for a long time as one of WWE’s most underrated talents. “The A-lister” has indeed developed into one of the company's best promo artists, and he has evolved his in-ring ability aptly to craft classic matches with countless superstars.

Therefore, at Backlash 2018, if the Miz pulls the upset of the pay-per-view and snatches the Intercontinental title from Rollins, he would tie Chris Jericho with nine IC title reigns.

While most would say that Miz can win the Intercontinental title in the future, but, if the title goes to Raw and Miz stays on SmackDown Live for a lengthy run, this could be a significant missed opportunity on WWE’s part. Moreover, a money programme with Chris Jericho shortly could be the final step in the resurgence of the Intercontinental title.

#2 Create a megastar heel

Raw needs a real main event heel.

While WWE could have Miz win his record ninth IC title from Seth Rollins at Backlash clean or via shenanigans, there is a better way WWE could execute this shocking turn of events. Furthermore, the best way to fully capitalize on this decision is to have Finn Balor be the deciding factor in this match.

The Finn Balor heel turn has been analyzed, thoroughly discussed and suggested for many months now, and Backlash might be the best place for WWE to execute it. As Seth Rollins has finally found his footing as a beloved babyface due to his excellent reign as the workhorse champion of Monday Night Raw, Finn Balor should strive to destroy Rollins success.

This is not an absurd move by Balor, as Rollins has taken Balor’s WrestleMania moment, his world title and his place on the top of the card. Therefore, Balor costing Rollins his Intercontinental title at Backlash would be poetic justice.

#3 A change in the landscape of Raw

Raw will be forced to have the Universal Title as the main championship once again.

If the Miz does capture the IC title at Backlash and takes the title to SmackDown Live, the hottest question would be, what is going to happen to Raw’s mid-card division now? Monday Night Raw is hanging by a thread, and that thread is the IC title, as many are convinced that the IC TItle is more important the absent Universal Title.

Therefore, with the Intercontinental title gone to SmackDown Live, Raw’s roster will have no option but to do one thing, bring the Universal title back to its full-time glory. Moreover, this would mean that Brock Lesnar would have to serve as the center of the flagship show, as all the male superstars on the red brand have no other title to strive for other than the Universal Title.

From the better booking of mid-carders to pitting “The Beast” up against several dream opponents, WWE could change the landscape of Raw by doing one important thing, make the Universal title the centerpiece of the show again.

#4 SmackDown Live's megastars stay relevant

SmackDown Live has too many stars to handle.

Sheamus, Cesaro, Eric Young, Killian Dain, Andrade "Cien" Almas, Randy Orton, Shelton Benjamin, Big Cass, and Rusev are few of the countless megastars on the stacked SmackDown Live roster. After the Superstar Shakeup had concluded many were surprised that WWE placed so many of their top stars on the "B show."

Besides, with the WWE title scene only being able to accommodate for three superstars at a time and the US Title picture able to cater for a handful of stars. Moreover and the tag division being too crowded to have every team challenge for the Tag Team Titles, SmackDown Live is in dire need of one more option to ensure every star is utilized to perfection.

Therefore, that is where the Intercontinental title comes into action, as matches such as The Miz vs. Cesaro, The Miz vs. Rusev and the Miz vs. Daniel Bryan for the IC Title would ensure every breakout star and established megastar is given the same amount of importance on the brand.

#5 Brand warfare has substance behind it

A real sense of emotion is missing from WWE's brand 'warfare.'

Raw vs SmackDown is a rivalry that existed much better in WWE’s ruthless aggression era, as the modern-day version of this “feud” is disappointing. From hatred manufactured sorely for a blow off at Survivor Series each year to meaningless matches that garner little interest, WWE’s brand warfare needs a true rekindling of brand loyalty and disdain.

Therefore, if the Miz takes the IC title over to SmackDown Live, thus leaving Raw without a full-time Champion, the red brand superstars are theoretically going to hate Smackdown Live for having all the gold, as their Universal title is hardly around to even be defended.

Therefore, at Survivor Series WWE could book a huge match for the Intercontinental Championship that could see the top mid-card title return to Raw. Thus, brand warfare, title elevation and landscape changing decisions can all be realized if the IC title heads over to the blue brand.