Has the Midcard Title Rehab Worked?

[KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!!]

For the IC title I say definitely. Gunther’s reign is the best in years and the title feels like it’s the most important it has been for 20+ years. Whenever Gunther loses it, it is going to be a big deal.

I hope it’s a young upcoming talent who Gunther then continues to feud with for a while on his way up the card. I actually wouldn’t have minded if Sheamus beat him at Clash at the Castle. But I’m glad WWE didn’t go that route. It seems much less forced than Roman’s never ending reigns.

For the US title it seems to be less spectacular. Although it gets slotted in the main event all the time, it feels forced plenty. You can tell it’s just because they need to spread out those Roman defenses. What hurts it is lack of a consistently rising talent as champ.

Austin Theory is supposed to be that, but it’s less impressive than the IC rehab. After all Theory held it for a couple of months then it was held by two familiar stars who didn’t need it for nearly 5 months. Since Theory regained it things have been looking better, but Theory’s own stop/start push hasn’t helped matters.

What say you?

[Mozenrath]

I'd say both midcard titles are in a healthier place than they were a few years ago, yeah, though it'll remain to be seen after Gunther is no longer champion if the subsequent champion will continue making it feel like a big deal, or if the title is only big because he is.

[King Devitt]

Personally I think it has b/c I can actually tell you who the champions are without having to look it up.

[The Rick Jericho]

Mar 11, 2023 22:04:24 GMT -5 King Devitt said:

Personally I think it has b/c I can actually tell you who the champions are without having to look it up.

IC yes.

US, I had to think for a minute because the title flip flopped a bit at the end of 2022 and 2023.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

Definitely with the Intercontinental Title but I think more can be done on TV to make Gunther's feuds matter and go beyond just having great matches. That by itself is an upgrade but more can be done.

The US Title isn't that much better off in my view mainly because Theory is having the same old shitty heel reign where he never wins clean and thus no one really takes him seriously.

[Bang Bang Bart]

In the IC Title's case, yes. Gunther is great.

The US Title's a lot more tricky given Theory's stop-start booking and his current presentation being so kinda just there that even John Cena is dressing him down for it.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Without question for both

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

On the IC Title it absolutely has, Gunther is amazing

The US Title is in a better place than it was, but I'll be happier when it's off Theory tbh

[A Platypus Rave]

Mar 11, 2023 22:00:42 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

I'd say both midcard titles are in a healthier place than they were a few years ago, yeah, though it'll remain to be seen after Gunther is no longer champion if the subsequent champion will continue making it feel like a big deal, or if the title is only big because he is.

Which is what has happened a few times...

a person will win the midcard title and it will feel semi important and then they'd lose it and it won't...

or something similar that heppened to Miz the champ would retain and then disappear for like 3 months while still champion and all the prestige that was built up for a months long feud will be completely wasted...

[Lizuka #BLM]

Intercontinental I'd say so but I basically have not at all been able to bring myself to care about the endless rotation of Seth, Lashley, and Theory with the US belt, especially given which of them ultimately wound up with it.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Mar 12, 2023 2:44:58 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

Mar 11, 2023 22:00:42 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

I'd say both midcard titles are in a healthier place than they were a few years ago, yeah, though it'll remain to be seen after Gunther is no longer champion if the subsequent champion will continue making it feel like a big deal, or if the title is only big because he is.

Which is what has happened a few times...

a person will win the midcard title and it will feel semi important and then they'd lose it and it won't...

or something similar that heppened to Miz the champ would retain and then disappear for like 3 months while still champion and all the prestige that was built up for a months long feud will be completely wasted...

Which was a shame because that title was white hot and they had a lot of contenders. Miz wins and disappears with the title cooling it down did not make sense when he was having such a good run 

[kingoftheindies]

IC title yes. US? It's in a better place but I think they need the belt off Theory

[Hypnosis]

Mar 12, 2023 11:19:42 GMT -5 kingoftheindies said:

IC title yes. US? It's in a better place but I think they need the belt off Theory

I would have had Gargano beat Theory for the U.S. title due to their NXT history together, but it looks like Cena's beating Theory for it instead.

[1 Free Moon-Down with Burger]

I think both are in a better place for sure.

US needs to get out of the Theory, Rollins, Lashley cloud but the fact that it’s involved in a Cena Wrestlemania match isn’t a bad thing

[schma]

We don't see either champ regularly jobbing so that's definitely a step in thr right direction. Remember when we would all cringe when someone won the IC belt because it meant they were about to become the world champs personal jobber?

Then there was the period where people would show up, jump the midcard and go straight to the world title scene. Occasionally that makes sense but nearly all of the great held the IC title at some point.

The absentee world champ helps roo. Roman is far more present than Brock who would just straight up disappear for months at a time, but the rarity of the world champ has raised the stock of the midcard titles I think.

Now it comes down to if they get kept at a level of prominence when Roman finally loses.

[Georgina's Fancy Water]

I haven't seen either of them doing whippits in ages

[DMO-]

I think they’ve done a tremendous job in reinvigorating both divisions. I think they need to maybe dedicate more deep storylines into these defenders rather than short 3-4 week feuds before the champ moves on to the next. Like a heated blood feud that culminates at summerslam would be cool to see for either title at this point.

[Jonathan Michaels]

The only IC reign I remember between Miz and Gunther is Sami Zayn, so yes.

[fw91]

Mar 12, 2023 13:13:00 GMT -5 DMO- said:

I think they’ve done a tremendous job in reinvigorating both divisions. I think they need to maybe dedicate more deep storylines into these defenders rather than short 3-4 week feuds before the champ moves on to the next. Like a heated blood feud that culminates at summerslam would be cool to see for either title at this point.

damn, when was the last time we had one of those for a midcard title. Ambrose/Owens?

[Cyno]

Gunther's IC reign is the best one in years, if not decades. He's a fantastic champion and just the sort of perfect gatekeeper that an ideal IC champion is.

US is technically better but I'm still not sold on Austin Theory.