10 Recent Times WWE Hit The Upgrade Button

6. Intercontinental Upgrade

Sami Zayn AJ Styles
WWE

The Intercontinental Title has gone from comedy midcard prop to serious pro wrestling belt in the blink of an eye, and it's infinitely better over the shoulder of AJ Styles than it was on Sami Zayn. That's not meant as a knock on Zayn, because his goofy act was fun while it lasted, but it didn't do much for the beloved title.

Styles can do more with it.

His hard-hitting, technical masterpieces can fly the flag for classic IC goodness. AJ is also someone WWE will always take seriously (the guy was handpicked as The Undertaker's final opponent, for crying out loud), and that means the Intercontinental prize will be dragged up by association. Being honest, the strap needed that.

Champs like Zayn and even Braun Strowman were played for laughs too often. They, along with prior holders like Shinsuke Nakamura, Finn Bálor and Bobby Lashley, were overlooked constantly. Styles shouldn't have that problem now he's in charge of a championship that sorely needs some spotlight.

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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.