Intercontinental Championship: Wade Barrett (c) vs The Miz (Pre-show Match)
With the news that the Intercontinental Match between Wade Barrett and The Miz is to be bumped to the pre-show, we are shown precisely what the creative team really think about it. At present, neither midcard title is on the main card, a damning statement if ever there was one. On Raw Wade Barrett took on Zack Ryder with The Miz on commentary. If anybody has jobbed more than Barrett recently it is Ryder, so at least Barrett must have been feeling confident for a change. The IC Champ nailed the bullhammer for the win, taunting Miz with his title afterwards. On Main Event, The Miz beat The Prime Time Players in a Handicap match. No, seriously, that happened. WWE have given people very little reason to care about this match, and in bumping it to the pre-show they have pretty much cemented it as aimless filler. The midcard titles are at an all time low, sacrificed to make room for part-timers and using their champions as jobbers to get over faces such as Alberto del Rio and Ryback. There is zero chemistry between Barrett and The Miz, and their styles are poles apart. It is a shame really, because not so long ago Barrett seemed set to be the next big star, while The Miz has a Marmite kind of appeal which does at least bring some spotlight with it, so they could have done more with this feud.
Prediction: The Miz to beat Barrett and take the Intercontinental Championship. WWE have made to much of a fuss over his face turn for it not to lead to something.