10 Ways Triple H Has Transformed WWE In Just One Month
7. Midcard Belts Matter More
The 12 August episode of SmackDown had a clear focal point. WWE punctuated the show with context about why you should care for the Intercontinental Title, then produced a fine main event for that same prize between reigning champ Gunther and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Contrast this with how recent IC Champs like Ricochet (who was rarely featured after winning the thing) and Naka himself (who "enjoyed" a pathetically low-key run as champion) were booked - it's night and day stuff. Under Hunter's watch, the midcard belts finally have some purpose again, and they've become a key part of the product relatively quickly.
It's almost like things have been this way forever, but they haven't.
Both Gunther and Bobby Lashley (the United States Champ over on Raw) can wear their straps with pride. Fans are also being reconditioned to take these belts seriously, and that'll only serve them well when WWE inevitably shifts them on to other wrestlers.