WWE SmackDown: 5 reasons why a new Intercontinental Championship was introduced

#2 Building Sami Zayn's character/A long-term storyline

Sami Zayn talking to the SmackDown team backstage

Sami Zayn hasn't wrestled for quite a few months now. When he came back from injury, he went on a few "enlightening" rants before losing to other Superstars. Soon after that, his alliance with Shinsuke Nakamura began and he has been a manager without getting in the ring.

Sami Zayn admitted himself that the fact that him not wrestling is only temporary. He's too talented an in-ring performer to be kept away from wrestling but his role itself is not too bad. However, he has been one of the most underrated Superstars since arriving on the main roster three and a half years ago, not having won any championship at all.

His current storyline with Shinsuke Nakamura has been rumored to be a long-term one and it could be very important in building his character arc and setting him up for his first big title win. When he's an obnoxious heel, it's easy to forget just how talented he is. He's a very valuable superstar to WWE, both now and in the long run.