Braun Strowman Becomes WWE Intercontinental Champion On SmackDown

A new monster of a champion!

by Jamie Kennedy

Braun Strowman bagged his very first singles title in WWE on Friday's episode of SmackDown.

The episode, dubbed "Super SmackDown" (a last-minute Super Bowl LIV tie in) was framed as Braun's big chance to dethrone then-Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura. After Sami Zayn's interference backfired, Strowman pinned Nakamura to earn a win that'll surely guarantee him a slot on the main card at WrestleMania 36.

Advertisement

Shinsuke's title reign was largely uneventful. He held the belt for 201 days, not the 199 days Michael Cole reported on commentary, but rarely defended his prize on TV or pay-per-view. It's unclear which direction WWE will choose for he, Sami and Cesaro over the next few months, especially now that Zayn has cost his client.

It could be the back of the line and undercard jobs for Shin now he's belt-less.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, things are looking up for Strowman. He's been treading water for years now, and needed something impactful that'd help fans care about his character again. This IC Title victory, and the passion Braun showed when celebrating, should ease recent concerns that WWE didn't know what to do with the big guy.

Contributor

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.