WWE: How Creative Team Can Return Each Midcard Title to Relevance

I know that the average wrestling fan, such as myself, probably doesn't fully understand the WWE's creative writing process. I probably don't understand how difficult it is to create storylines and angles, but I can't help but think I could do a better job at times.

The creative team generally does a good job with main-event feuds, as it dedicates a lot of time and thought to them. Where it has really been dropping the ball over the past couple of years is the midcard. Having a solid main-event scene is all well and good, but without supplementary feuds, the overall card is going to be lacking every time.

Currently, that is the case. The only midcard angle with any substance is Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler. The midcard championships in particular have been treated like dirt, and they essentially mean nothing anymore, despite the fact that they were once stepping stones toward the world title.

With all of that said, here are my suggestions for how to make the United States, Intercontinental and tag team championships relevant moving forward.

United States Championship

It's fair to say that the United States title hasn't really been important since The Miz lost it in 2010. It has been passed around like a hot potato since that time, and although Santino's current reign is quickly approaching 200 days, it has been uneventful to say the least.

Santino is good for what he is. He entertains the fans and will always have a spot on the roster, but he shouldn't have the United States title. Perhaps the creative team feels as though Santino is a fairly safe champion, but that title should be used to elevate talent that is trying to get over and shouldn't be wasted on a guy who is over with or without it.

There are a couple of routes that could be taken, but my favorite is having Santino drop the belt to Tensai. The big man has lost a ton of steam and winning the strap could be a big help in building him back up.

However, that would only be the first step in the plan. I would then pit Tensai against Ryback in a feud.

If Ryback truly is the WWE's version of Goldberg, he might as well take a similar path. Goldberg went on a monster winning streak and won the United States title in the midst of it. Suddenly, Ryback would be more important because of the title and the title would be put in a high-profile position.

Aside from that, I would be fine with having Damien Sandow beat Santino. Sandow is a fast-rising star, so he would do some good things for the United States title. He could contest those that aren't living an enlightened life, in his opinion, such as Santino, Brodus Clay and Zack Ryder, and make the title much more visible than it is currently.

Intercontinental Championship

I initially felt like the creative team did a great thing when it gave The Miz the Intercontinental title, but it hasn't taken long to screw that up. The Miz returned with a vengeance and an altered character, but after non-title losses to Kane and Rey Mysterio, he is looking awfully similar to the same guy he was before he went on hiatus.

The Miz is set to defend his title against Rey Mysterio at SummerSlam, and while I would hope that Miz would be given the win, I'm never quite sure what kind of strange plan the writers are cooking up.

Even if Miz does beat Mysterio, they missed the boat in a big way because a feud between Miz and Randy Orton over the belt would have been far more impactful.

The Intercontinental title has been essentially useless for quite some time, but having two former main-event guys in Miz and Orton feuding over it could have been huge. It seems like the WWE is punishing Orton for his drug suspension by not putting him on the SummerSlam card, but it would have been far more sensible and helpful to punish him by having him put The Miz over.

Miz and Mysterio honestly have no reason to be feuding, but Miz and Orton do. Miz cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to take Orton's WWE championship in late 2010. Orton was also passed over in favor of The Miz for the lead role in The Marine 3 as well.

Although the writers have blown it thus far, it isn't too late to pit The Miz against Orton. It makes sense on so many levels and would probably be the most intense rivalry over the Intercontinental title in years. However, the WWE can't see that for whatever reason.

My plan would certainly replenish some of the luster that the belt has lost in recent years.

Tag Team Championships

There is no question that the tag team division is in shambles right now, but absolutely no effort is being made to salvage it.

There are about six actual tag teams in the WWE right now, but only two of them are ever used. Primo & Epico, the best team in my opinion, seem to have been thrown on the scrap heap.

Having a feud between the team of Kofi Kingston & R-Truth and The Prime Time Players is fine for now, but the WWE desperately needs to develop some new teams.

One that fans would instantly get behind is a union between Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara. Both are extremely popular and the team makes sense since both are masked luchadors with Mexican roots.

I would have Darren Young and Titus O'Neil beat Kofi and Truth for the straps at SummerSlam and then throw Mysterio and Sin Cara into the mix afterwards.

Neither Mysterio nor Sin Cara are doing anything of importance right now and it's safe to say that making them a tag team would revitalize both of them as they are somewhat stagnant at the moment.

Mysterio and Sin Cara can have a great match with anyone, so I would give them the titles and let them run with them for several months.

During that time, they can beat whatever teams the WWE has to offer and it will give the writers ample time to start creating new teams or introducing teams from NXT Wrestling.

They could also defend the titles in ladder matches and TLC matches, and essentially add some excitement to a division that has lacked it for at least three years. One team isn't going to bring the division out of the doldrums on its own, but it would definitely be a good start.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter and listen to him on Ring Rust Radio.