Daniel Bryan Is in Danger of Getting Lost in the Shuffle as IC Champion

Daniel Bryan is two weeks removed from a feel-good WWE Intercontinental Championship victory, but the title still means nothing.

As was discussed on the PodNasty Wrestling Podcast, a positive theme in the 2015 post-WrestleMania season is the added emphasis on championship divisions. During a heel promo, Naomi brilliantly exposed the flaws in a No. 1 Contender's Battle Royal despite holding a pair of victories over the Divas champion.

The Lucha Dragons continue to climb the tag team ranks. John Cena's open challenge, while devoid of any merit, dedicates a weekly segment on Raw to the United States title.

Meanwhile, Daniel Bryan has not been seen with the Intercontinental Championship on Raw since the night after WrestleMania. With two midcard title divisions in addition to three more titles, WWE only has so much time to make each one seem important.

Despite fans hoping for more prestige for the Intercontinental Championship, thus far Bryan's reign is not delivering.

Bryan's haphazard rivalry with Bad News Barrett is doing little to nothing for the Intercontinental Championship. Their title match at Extreme Rules revolves around the trite, lazy storyline of the rematch clause. Barrett's reasoning for competing for the title is one of form, not substance.

In fact, on Raw, Barrett was more interested in—unsuccessfully—competing for the United States Championship against Cena.

Barrett spent the majority of his Intercontinental Championship reign losing both title and non-title matches. In addition to his latest loss in London, the fact that he's still the No. 1 contender actually decreases the value of the title.

The disconnect in psychology behind Barrett going after the United States Championship wasn't worth the hometown pop from The O2 Arena.

Now that Cena defeated Barrett like every other interchangeable hopeful who answered his challenge, the Intercontinental Championship comes off like a consolation prize. WWE had a chance to reinforce a conflict between two talented performers that raised the profile of the intercontinental title.

Instead, Bryan and Barrett were kept apart and featured in segments that had nothing to do with their upcoming match.

The Intercontinental Championship is no better or worse than it was when it was literally hanging in the balance at WrestleMania 31.

Based on current booking, Sheamus is worthier than any of the contenders featured in that WrestleMania ladder match.

Since returning, Sheamus holds victories over the likes of Mark Henry and even the incumbent Bryan. Still, he's chosen to feud with Dolph Ziggler instead of presenting what would be a strong case as No. 1 contender.

Sheamus overlooking a potential title shot further decreases its meaning. He fits the bill as a top midcarder who should be constantly discussed as a threat to Bryan's reign.

WWE needs to go out of its way to feature Bryan and the Intercontinental Championship.

At least rising star Rusev is lying in wait for Cena and wants his United States Championship back. WWE's weak Intercontinental Championship division needs a Rusev. Somebody whom fans believe is deserving of a title shot.

Otherwise, the biggest threat to Bryan's reign as Intercontinental champion will be apathy.

Alfred Konuwa is a Featured Columnist and on-air host for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @ThisIsNasty and listen to his weekly wrestling podcast.