Predicting the next holder of each title in WWE

#5 The next Intercontinental Champion - Jeff Hardy

The Charismatic Enigma

WWE booked themselves into a corner on the most recent SmackDown. AJ Styles won the title a week ago and had his first match as Champion. Conversely, it was against a debuting Matt Riddle.

Conventional wisdom suggests that neither man could lose. Styles literally just won the title and hadn't faced anyone else after winning it. Riddle had to win his debut match. So in turn, WWE had Riddle pin the Intercontinental Champion in a non-title match. It's the most-used tactic WWE uses in order to set up most of its Championship matches.

Charlotte Flair pinned Asuka a few weeks ago after some chicanery and she's getting a title shot on the next RAW. The Viking Raiders pinned the Street Profits in non-title action and then we got a month of non-wrestling themed skits. Even the Women's Tag Team titles recently had a series of people pin the Champions in order to get title shots.

Jeff Hardy is currently immersed in an angle with Sheamus. It's the start of his "redemption" arc. They've mentioned it a few times during promos and interviews and Hardy said he has "one good run left in him" in WWE on an episode of WWE Backstage.

Several SmackDown stars surrounded the ring as Styles addressed the roster. Names like Shorty G, Daniel Bryan and Drew Gulak were all singled out.

Bryan lost in the finals to Styles so he isn't getting a shot. Gulak pinned Styles prior to the Phenomenal One winning the title, but I can't see him dethroning the current Champion.

It makes sense that Hardy's "redemption" is in the form of a mid-card title win. Once he finishes with Sheamus, he might focus on the IC title. Or it could happen after SummerSlam. The fact is, the perfect ending to Hardy's arc would be winning a title.