10 New Directions For WWE After SummerSlam 2023

5. Then Losing His IC Belt

WWE Payback 2023 Cody Rhodes
WWE.com

After that, Imperium's leader will taste defeat.

This fan still reckons Drew McIntyre is a shoe-in to take the Intercontinental prize from GUNTHER once the record is broken. WWE will reason that putting the belt on a former World Champ like Drew is the right way to go, and they're probably correct. It is vital the next champion is a big star.

Sheamus' own fires have cooled significantly since he was challenging GUNTHER, but McIntyre is fresher after his return and could be the perfect follow-up titleholder. Christ knows what creative plans to do with Imperium after that, or if they can even sustain the leader's momentum without his gold.

It's worth finding out. GUNTHER is poised to hit main event level on Raw at some point in 2024 anyway, so exploring more of his personality and seeing how he fares without the IC Title would be wise. Then, McIntyre can continue his own good work having banger matches against all-comers on the midcard.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.