Predicting the next holder of each title in WWE

#5 What's in store for WWE's mid-card titles?

Apollo Crews

There had to be an important reason as to why WWE had Big E drop the Intercontinental Championship to Apollo Crews at WrestleMania 37. Crews had challenged for the title unsuccessfully on three other occasions. Why, then, would they opt for that title swap at the Show of Shows?

It was likely done so that Big E could move up to challenge Reigns at some point. As for Crews, his challengers are limited unless some changes are made to SmackDown's roster. Kevin Owens and Daniel Bryan are both faces and former IC Champions. Both would make logical sense, but Bryan was recently banished from SmackDown.

#ICChamp 🏅 pic.twitter.com/2jTCY1Nqt1

— Apollo (@WWEApollo) May 9, 2021

Murphy could be a good challenger as a face since it would get him more TV time. It could also distance him from his partnership with Seth Rollins. Other than that, the most logical names left on SmackDown would be Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro.

Cesaro is currently getting a brief main-event push in WWE. There is a small chance of the Swiss Superman winning at WrestleMania Backlash. Reigns retaining, however, is the most likely outcome of their feud.

If he is unsuccessful, winning the IC title isn't a bad consolation prize. With his current push on SmackDown, Cesaro seems like the man who will eventually dethrone Crews.

The next Intercontinental Champion - Cesaro

Riddle won the United States title in a triple threat match at the Elimination Chamber that was supposed to feature Riddle, Lashley and Keith Lee. Lee has been out of WWE action since February. As of this piece, he still hasn't been medically cleared.

With Lee's future currently unknown, that takes him out of the running. Braun Strowman is probably in his triple-threat match at WrestleMania Backlash to take the pin. Once he moves on from the WWE title picture, he could challenge Sheamus. It would be a physical showdown between two beasts.

If WWE has other plans for the Monster Among Men, then a newer star could win his first title on the main roster. Damian Priest has been on a good run since debuting after the Royal Rumble. He didn't lose until after WrestleMania 37 and should be done with the Miz and John Morrison after WM Backlash.

Momentum looks to be on the side of @ArcherofInfamy heading into #WMBacklash this Sunday!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/iySm81NdMo

— WWE (@WWE) May 12, 2021

A sensible direction after that PPV would be to enter into a program with Sheamus. It could be before or after Money in the Bank. He never won the NXT Championship but was a good mid-card performer. His main-roster tenure in WWE will start the same way and he'll beat Sheamus for the title.

The next United States Champion - Damian Priest