5 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Aug 5)

4. Confirmed As IC Title Contender

Looking back, WWE's decision to put Ludwig Kaiser over Shinsuke Nakamura during match two of their three bout series was a mistake. That said, the pair did work a fine trilogy of matches, and the series did work as setup for Shin's inevitable Intercontinental Title tilt vs. wrestling machine Gunther.

Everybody is right to expect big things of this rivalry.

Naka and Kaiser clicked in-ring, and Triple H must've seen enough of Ludwig by now to know that he'll work as a gatekeeper for the IC Champ in future. In fact, just make that the starting chapter for most of Gunther's feuds from here on out - everyone has to prove themselves against Kaiser first.

This writer got it wrong by predicting that Corbin vs. McAfee would be the sleeper hit of SummerSlam's undercard, but he's confident that Shinsuke vs. Gunther will fit that mould come the big UK stadium show next month. Bring that the f*ck on.