8 Ways WWE Have Screwed Up Baron Corbin

5. Kickoff Show Blues

Baron Corbin
WWE.com

The Intercontinental Title hasn't been treated with much respect since The Miz's epic SmackDown run concluded. Barely defended throughout Dean Ambrose's awful reign, it looks as though it won't even feature on this weekend's SummerSlam card, illustrating just how little the WWE hierarchy think of the belt.

Corbin fell victim to this at WrestleMania 33. His feud with Ambrose got a little goofy (particularly when Baron tried to squish 'The Lunatic Fringe' beneath a forklift), but it had bags of heat, and was more than deserving of a place on the main card. Sadly, WWE decided to shunt it onto the dead Kickoff Show, and they were given little over 10 minutes to warm the assembling crowd up too.

They got the outcome wrong too. Taking the IC Title would've been a solid step forward for Baron's career, and it felt like the logical direction, given the way the feud was booked. Instead, WWE had Ambrose pin Corbin in a truly lifeless clean finish. 'The Lone Wolf' would gain a measure of revenge by defeating Dean in a Street Fight two nights later, but it was a non-title bout, which took the gloss off him "winning" the feud.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.