5 superstars that could have replaced Baron Corbin as United States Champion for Survivor Series 2017

Survivor Series is all about brand warfare. As we will witness the superstars of Monday Night Raw and Smackdown Live obliterate each other, to obtain the supreme bragging rights over one another. And what better way to fight for ultimate glory, than having the brand’s top title holders battle it out in a Champion vs Champion showdown.

While most of these exciting Champion vs Champion clashes will be the best of Raw vs the best of Smackdown. The match between the Intercontinental Champion and the United States Champion does not have the exhilarating feel of a must-see bout.

The Miz and Baron Corbin have tried their best to promote their feud on social media. And they might produce a satisfactory to memorable match at the marquee pay-per-view. Unfortunately, this rushed feud will not have fans buzzing the second it's over. And it is not the Raw's champion that is the drawback, but rather Smackdown's.

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In 2017, The Miz has set out to achieve the same goal that he sets for himself almost every year. Make the Intercontinental Championship important. And utilizing every skill in his arsenal, he has elevated the title significantly. In Corbin’s favour, he cannot be blamed for his mediocre reign. As his short run cannot be compared to The Miz's memorable run. As they say “it’s not the championship that makes the man”, but rather the opposite.

Corbin has experienced a rough up-and-down year. From winning the coveted Money in the Bank contract to losing it in an embarrassing manner. Rebounding by defeating AJ Styles in an excellent match for the United States Championship. Only to constantly lose to Sin Cara in the past few weeks. It has not been smooth sailing for the “lone wolf” this year. Therefore, the belt, unfortunately, doesn’t feel important on his shoulders.

Smackdown Live is surprisingly brimming with underused talent. Superstars who have not found themselves on the Survivor Series 2017 match card. Therefore, WWE will have to highlight these gifted superstars. And put the United States championship on any one of these talented wrestlers heading into the marquee PPV.

Here are five superstars that could have replaced Baron Corbin as United States Champion for Survivor Series 2017.

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#1 Tye Dillinger

The perfect 10 doesn't need a heel turn to be relevant, but more exposure on the blue brand

There is no denying that Tye Dillinger is one of the most criminally underused superstars on Smackdown Live. Having made his debut in April of this year, Dillinger has been an afterthought for the WWE creative team. After constantly being shoehorned in throwaway pre-show matches with underutilised talent Aiden English. “The perfect 10” finally got his main roster breakthrough.

By feuding with AJ Styles and Baron Corbin. Dillinger looked to finally find in his footing in the “land of opportunity”. Although he is a beloved baby face with an extremely popular gimmick, he was once again left wasting away on the bench. And with rumours circulating that he might turn heel shortly a match with The Miz could have been the last time, WWE presented him as a babyface.

“The perfect 10” has a little ‘more gas in the tank’ to be the proverbial people’s champion. As The Miz is excellent at being the hated heel that riles up the crowd in any way he can. This could’ve been Dillengers breakthrough performance as a key player on the blue brand. Thus, WWE wouldn’t need to turn him heel to make him relevant again. This would've been a better match with a more investable in-ring story. And ultimately been better usage of NXT breakout star, Tye Dillinger.

#2 Luke Harper

Luke Harper was the unusual baby face Smackdown Live needed

The rise of the Bludgeon Brothers raises an important question. Would Harper benefit more from this alliance or a run with Smackdown's mid-card championship? Evident from his remarkable singles run earlier this year, the answer is the latter. Luke Harper was the hottest rising prospect on Smackdown Live during the build to Wrestlemania 33.

His frustrations with the eccentric Bray Wyatt, organically lead to him betraying his former leader. Harper being the once 'loyal soldier for his leader' shtick was thrown completely 'out of the window'. As his wild-eyed lunatic personality had caught on positively with the WWE universe. In this process, Harper became a unique unusual babyface that WWE somehow managed to not take advantage of.

Luke Harper vs The Miz doesn’t sound all that thrilling on paper. But this match has The Miz’s snarky heel antics and Harper’s extremely talented in-ring work to make it work. As Harper has shown he can deliver show-stealing performances against the likes of AJ Styles and Randy Orton. On this night Harper and Miz could’ve crafted a memorable match. That would’ve benefited both mid-card championships moving forward.

#3 Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn is one the best wrestlers on the blue brand and shockingly without a single a championship to his name

Plain and simple, Sami Zayn is one of the best wrestlers in the entirety of WWE. And it is surprising to realise that he has never won a single championship on the main roster. Despite producing excellent matches against the likes of John Cena and Kevin Owens, WWE continuously overlooked Zayn. Thus at Hell in a Cell 2017, the creative team finally acknowledged his main roster misfortunes.

After enduring in the undercard for so many years, Zayn finally turned heel. Sami Zayn’s shocking actions have positively reshaped his WWE career. A new purpose, new drive and being the new United States Champion would’ve been significant to Zayn’s resurgence. Zayn vs The Miz would have been a much more interesting heel dynamic match, than Corbin vs The Miz. With Kevin Owens and The Mizntourage in their respective partner's corners. This would be a fascinating all heel showdown.

Heel vs Heel encounters in the modern era of wrestling can work. As 'cool' heels are given more adulation from the crowd than babyfaces. Look no further than the “prize-fighter” Kevin Owens himself. Owens sarcastic personality often gets the crowd in his favour, as the WWE universe realise he is excellent at what he does. Zayn’s has the ability to put on a classic in the squared circle and The Miz’s has resolved to rise to the occasion. This encounter would’ve left wrestling aficionados satisfied.

#4 Rusev

Rusev in his peak

It is a real injustice that there is no place on the Survivor Series 2017 card for “handsome Rusev”. Before Braun Strowman was tossing ambulances, “The Bulgarian Brute” was destroying established superstars on a weekly basis. His undefeated aura, his massive intimidating physique and the emphasis put on his finisher made him a true monster heel. Once Rusev locked in the accolade on his opponent, fans knew it signalled the end of the match.

Rusev did exactly what Lana would yell in every match, he crushed his opponents. Although Rusev’s WWE career has not been at the peak most would expect it to be, “the super athlete” has undergone a metamorphosis through true comedic talent and the desire for the WWE universe to see the likeable big man succeed. Rusev has gone from a hated foreign heel to a lovable baby face. And that is the reason he would have been the perfect opponent for The Miz at Survivor Series 2017.

The highest point in Rusev’s career was entering Wrestlemania 31 on a tank with the United States Championship in hand. The United States Championship is quite significant in “the Bulgarian brutes” career. As it marks each time he rose to prominence again on the main roster.

Thus, having an opponent like The Miz. A superstar that will not forget to remind fans that the Intercontinental Championship is the most must-see championship in all of WWE. Taking on Rusev, a superstar that knows the impact of the United States Title on his career. There is a match certainly worthy of being labelled as a battle for championship supremacy.

#5 Shelton Benjamin

Shelton Benjamin was truly the Gold Standard in WWE in his prime

There is no greater feeling than nostalgia in professional wrestling. And WWE regularly uses this creative tool to get fans thrilled about the product. The returns of the WCW legend Goldberg and Olympic Gold Medallist Kurt Angle was evidently successful for the company. And over on Smackdown Live, the blue brand has its very own nostalgia athlete in Shelton Benjamin.

WWE made a smart decision by utilizing Benjamin’s returning momentum from the onset.To get rapidly rising talent Chad Gable off the ground. Gable was destined to wallow in mediocrity on the underutilized Smackdown Live roster. Until Shelton brought the Olympian up to an elite level which he could never have achieved with Jason Jordon. Although Benjamin is teaming with Gable, Shelton was built for one more title run with United States Championship.

Benjamin in his prime was truly the Gold Standard in WWE. His lightning quick agility and natural wrestling aptitude would instantly elevate any match. Thus, Benjamin as the US Champion would have made his clash with The Miz instantly feel as one of the bigger bouts on the card. The mid-card titles are the second most important belts in WWE. Thus, Benjamin as one of those champions raises the stock of the entire mid-card division. As a champion should.