5 Superstars who could be in line for an Intercontinental title shot at WrestleMania

So, we're finally on the 'Road to WrestleMania' and it's that time when the match card starts taking shape.

After Miz successfully defended his Intercontinental Championship on RAW against former Champion Roman Reigns in his automatic rematch, you'd have to think it might be time to start setting up who will face The A-Lister at the biggest night of the year.

Up until last year, it was a regular occurrence for WWE to have the Intercontinental Championship defended in a Ladder Match, most notably with Daniel Bryan and Zack Ryder shocking the world to win the title in recent years, but that all changed last year when Dean Ambrose defended the Championship against Baron Corbin.

Miz has been a great champion, an incredible heel who has barely been seen without the Intercontinental Championship over the past two years and he was even named Rolling Stone's Wrestler of the Year for 2017. Now, he could hold the strap forever and not many people would complain, but a big personality needs a big opponent at WrestleMania.

For the purposes of keeping things exciting, we're leaving Roman Reigns in the honourable mentions as that rivalry seems to have run its course. John Cena faced The Miz last year in a match with one of the best build-ups to any we witnessed, barring maybe Jericho against Owens, so we're sticking with people who would shock the world if they won the Intercontinental Championship from Miz.

So, who could be in line for a title shot at one of the most prestigious belts in the WWE? We take a look at the options.

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#5 Curt Hawkins

Hawkins has been on a monumental losing streak recently

I know, I know, just hear me out.

What was the most shocking moment, maybe in WrestleMania history?

The end of a streak.

While Hawkins finally winning a match may not be quite as monumental as The Undertaker losing to Brock Lesnar, how great would it be for Miz to challenge Hawkins thinking he had an easy match at Mania, only to lose to the man with the worst record in WWE right now?

Curt Hawkins has even had merchandise released recently based on his losing streak, so you'd have to think it won't end any time soon - but there would be no greater stage to kickstart an incredible push for Hawkins than at WrestleMania!

#4 Curtis Axel

Axel has been in Miz's corner recently, but could make the step up

Well, he's actually the only former Intercontinental Champion on our list, but Axel could shock the world by turning on Miz before 'Mania.

This one was a toss-up between Axel and Bo Dallas, but the former seems a slightly more fitting choice.

Curtis Axel is the son of Mr. Perfect, a man synonymous with the words "Intercontinental Champion" and, while Curtis hasn't been in the title picture for a long time, we could get a very exciting story from this.

Axel and Dallas have been in Miz's corner as The Miztourage for much of the year after the Social Outcasts were disbanded - and are two of the most underrated and underutilised talents on the roster. They have also been one of the main reasons for Miz retaining his title on many occasions, so it would be very fitting if one of them were to be the reason he lost it!

This would be even more surprising than Zack Ryder winning, but you never know!

#3 Braun Strowman

The Monster Among Men has destroyed everything in his path recently

Well, this one might be an unpopular opinion as a lot of people want Strowman in the Universal Championship match - and who could blame them?

Braun has been probably one of the most exciting parts of RAW over the past year, wrecking everything and everyone in his path.

He has faced Brock Lesner twice for the WWE Universal Championship and had a great showing recently at the Royal Rumble.

But, with Roman Reigns being the favourite to win the Elimination Chamber match, Strowman may have to settle for less than a main event match, sadly.

There has been some chatter that he may be involved in whatever match Ronda Rousey is involved in, if it becomes a mixed tag team match, and of course he could easily go up against Brock again - either in singles action or a Triple Threat match with long-term rival Roman Reigns - but Braun should definitely "get these hands" on a title at WrestleMania, and the Intercontinental title would not be a bad place to start for The Monster Among Men.

#2 Elias

WWE most definitely stands for 'Walk With Elias' right now

Well, who'd have thought this would even be an option two years ago?

Elias had a nice niche in NXT as The Drifter but he didn't seem to impress a lot of people in ring. When you talk about one of the most improved Superstars over the past year or so, our last pick, Braun Strowman, is probably the runaway choice. But, Elias has made huge strides and gathered quite a following along the way as well.

Elias is over. There's zero doubt about it. His unique heel persona of baiting the fans to cheer for him, then turning on them every single week, never seems to get old.

In ring? Well, wow. Walking with Elias might be a bit more challenging as he has come leaps and bounds over the past few months. Two incredible matches against Roman Reigns and John Cena may have cemented his place as one of RAW's best features and a championship may just be on the horizon for The Drifter.

#1 Finn Balor

Finn Balor will not be in the running for a Universal Championship shot at WrestleMania

One man who could really use a championship right now is Finn Balor.

Now, many would argue that he should be challenging for the Universal Championship and it's hard to throw a flag on that, but after his loss against John Cena last night, that is now unlikely, if not impossible.

Finn has finally got back on track after being stuck in limbo on his return from injury. Balor was crowned the first ever WWE Universal Champion after a short undefeated streak when he was introduced to the main roster last year, but WWE didn't seem to know what to do with him upon his return.

In fact, one of the better short rivalries he had was actually with The Miz!

Now, with the Balor Club by his side and lasting almost an hour in the Royal Rumble match, you'd like to think Balor's loss against Cena was merely a roadblock on the road to WrestleMania and the Intercontinental Championship could be the next logical step in his career.