Spoiler On New #1 Contender For WWE Intercontinental Title
Shinsuke Nakamura will defend the IC Title against THIS superstar at WWE Day 1.
With WWE having taped this coming Friday's Christmas Eve episode of SmackDown, Sami Zayn is the new #1 contender for the Intercontinental Title held by Shinsuke Nakamura.
Via PWInsider, this upcoming blue brand offering will feature a 12 Days of Christmas Gauntlet Match to crown the next in line to face King Nakamura for his prize, and Zayn was the one left standing tall at the close of this bout. Sami last eliminated Ricochet to pick up the win, with Cesaro, Sheamus, Angel, Humberto, Mansoor, Drew Gulak, Erik, Ivar, Jinder Mahal and Shanky the others involved in this match.
As a result of this victory, Zayn - himself a two-time IC Champ - will challenge Nakamura for the Intercontinental Title at WWE Day 1 on New Year's Day.
The King of Strong Style defeated Apollo Crews to become Intercontinental Champion on the 13 August 2021 episode of SmackDown. Since winning the belt, Nakamura has surprisingly only defended the title once - which was against the aforementioned Crews on a September SmackDown offering.
Elsewhere, this upcoming episode of SmackDown will also see Charlotte Flair defending her SmackDown Women's Title against Toni Storm, and Drew McIntyre will team with The New Day to take on Madcap Moss and The Usos in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight.