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The WWE Universe will get its new Intercontinental Champion next Friday when Daniel Bryan goes head-to-head with AJ Styles in the tournament finale. As per Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com, the company has already filmed the match, and the singles encounter will exceed the expectations. Given that both the Superstars are incredibly talented, the fans expect a spectacular fight between them.
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Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles' journey to the finale
Daniel Bryan had been chasing the Intercontinental Championship long before AJ Styles arrived on SmackDown. The former SmackDown Tag Team Champion even battled for the title at WrestleMania 36, but couldn't defeat Sami Zayn for the Championship. Nevertheless, The Liberator had to vacate the title soon.
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WWE announced a tournament to crown the new Intercontinental Champion. Daniel Bryan defeated his ally Drew Gulak and former rival Sheamus to progress to the tournament's finale. On the other hand, AJ Styles defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in the first round before getting a bye in the semifinals due to Elias' accident to reach the final.
Daniel Bryan has collided with 'The Phenomenal One' in the past. Their head-to-head record in WWE favors Bryan, who has defeated Styles four times in five bouts. He is the favorite to win the title next week, and here are the five things that could happen if Daniel Bryan becomes a two-time Intercontinental Champion on SmackDown.
#5 A rivalry with AJ Styles
Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles had earlier had a feud where the former was a heel and the latter was a babyface. They have switched their roles now. Hence, another rivalry between them could entertain the fans a lot. Both the Superstars have the talent to elevate the Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown.
The title has not received a high-profile rivalry over the last few months. Bryan and Styles could elevate the crown with their bouts. They could make SmackDown 'must-watch' with their feud. Besides, WWE's next two PPVs are Backlash and Extreme Rules.
Perhaps, the Creative team could avoid booking a clean finish on SmackDown, which would lead us to a rematch at Backlash. This rivalry could then culminate at Extreme Rules, where they would battle under an exciting stipulation.
#4 Lars Sullivan vs. Daniel Bryan for the Intercontinental Championship
Many fans have forgotten that Lars Sullivan is still a part of the WWE roster. The company has listed him as a SmackDown Superstar on their website. A few months ago, the rumor mill suggested that Sullivan should be ready to make his comeback to the ring soon.
Given his dominant run before his injury, 'The Freak' can straightaway enter the Universal Championship picture. The WWE Universe could witness a once in a lifetime rivalry between Braun Strowman and Lars Sullivan also. However, the reigning Universal Champion is currently busy with The Miz and John Morrison, while Bray Wyatt and Otis have their eyes on his title.
Thus, it would not be a great call to book Sullivan to chase the Universal title straight after returning. Instead, he could feud with Daniel Bryan for the Intercontinental Championship. The giant athlete may make his return in the next few weeks, which is why WWE can book an angle featuring him and Daniel Bryan.
The former WWE Champion can put Sullivan over, and even lose his title to him later.
#3 Drew Gulak betrays Daniel Bryan
Had Daniel Bryan not helped Drew Gulak become a popular character on the TV, WWE would have probably not re-signed him just a few days after his contract ended. Daniel Bryan has played a significant role in the resurrection of the former Cruiserweight Champion. Hence, very few fans expect him to turn on his partner.
However, the WWE Universe has witnessed several close friendships break inside the squared circle over Championships. Daniel Bryan has only chased the Intercontinental title since Gulak has been on his side, but once he grabs the gold, Gulak could turn on him.
The former 205 Live Superstar has the talent to become a top-tier name in Vince McMahon's industry. Perhaps, even Bryan may request the Creative team to book a betrayal angle because Gulak is now ready for a high-profile feud.
WWE can build friction between the two stars heading in the next few months until Gulak would finally lose his cool. These two Superstars have collided inside the ring earlier, and they wowed everyone with their match at Elimination Chamber. Hence, Vince McMahon may consider booking a rivalry between the two allies in the future.
#2 Sami Zayn returns; challenges Daniel Bryan
Former Intercontinental Champion, Sami Zayn will likely return to the company soon, and as per the rumor mill, WWE would insert him in an angle with the winner of the Intercontinental Championship tournament. Since he has had bad blood with Daniel Bryan in the past, it would make sense to reignite their rivalry when the Canadian comes back.
Sami and Daniel Bryan are two of the best in-ring technicians in the company, who likely had the first match of their rivalry at WrestleMania 36. Their bout at The Showcase of Immortals did not meet expectations. However, WWE have probably saved the best for the future pay-per-view events.
Nobody knows when The Great Liberator will rejoin the SmackDown roster, which is why WWE may save his return for an episode post a pay-per-view event. If the Creative books a rivalry between Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles, Zayn could return on the SmackDown episode after Extreme Rules.
Then, he could pursue the Intercontinental title and have a lengthy feud with Daniel Bryan until SummerSlam. Their long rivalry could finally culminate with a blockbuster encounter at The Biggest Party of the Summer.
#1 The return of Intercontinental Championship Open Challenge
Daniel Bryan made it evident on last week's SmackDown that the Intercontinental Championship is the workhorse title in WWE. He urged the officials to give him an opponent in the semifinals instead of accepting a bye like AJ Styles. This development could be an indication that Daniel Bryan would bring back the Intercontinental Championship Open Challenge on SmackDown if he becomes the champion.
Like Drew Gulak, there are several under-appreciated Superstars on the Blue brand who can receive some deserving TV time because of this open challenge. Seth Rollins' open challenges in 2018 had improved Monday night RAW's quality by leaps and bounds. Daniel Bryan can do the same job for Friday night SmackDown.
The former WWE Champion can put his title on the line every Friday against the likes of Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, Shorty G, King Corbin, Elias, Matt Riddle, or even the members of the tag team division like Kofi Kingston, Big E, Tucker, Jey Uso, Lince Dorado, and Gran Metalik.
Bryan is a great in-ring technician who could bring these Superstars into the limelight. WWE can also use the brand-to-brand invitational rule to bring over Superstars from RAW to challenge Daniel Bryan for the title. This move would make SmackDown an unpredictable show besides improving the quality of wrestling too.
