10 Reasons Why Old School Fans Struggle With Modern WWE
4. The Devaluation Of Midcard Titles
Why does WWE even have midcard titles anymore?
Fans who grew up on the WWF in the early 1990s cherish the Intercontinental Title above all others. Around the waist of Bret Hart, it symbolised that he was the best pure wrestler on the roster. Beyond that, it also symbolised that fans could put their faith in him. It was almost a spoiler; big things beckoned for those who claimed it.
Years later, before the belt was traded between Attitude Era undercard talents purely to pop TV ratings, the belt still represented a certain trust in performer from both office and fans alike. SummerSlam 1997 aside, Steve Austin and The Rock can't claim to contesting classic matches for it, like Hart and Shawn Michaels before them - but their holding of it was no accident, no experiment. It was the tangible origin point of their superstardom. And yes, dean Douglas did win it during those halcyon days. You can't win them all.
The title - and it's United States counterpart - are often handed back to failed main event experiments like Dean Ambrose and The Miz these days. It is emblematic of the fact that WWE has literally gone backwards.
The "IC" belt works in reverse nowadays. It is worn by men promoted before their time as a consolation prize.