Analyzing Future of Ryback's Intercontinental Championship Reign Upon Return

When WWE revealed earlier this month that Ryback had suffered an injury and would be unable to compete at Battleground, it was difficult to really know what to feel.

When The Big Guy got hold of the Intercontinental Championship at Elimination Chamber, it's safe to say that it ranked as a fair surprise.

There were plenty of guys competing in that match who would have been a shorter price to emerge triumphant than Ryback, but it felt like WWE had rewarded a guy who continually seems to fall at the final hurdle.

After all, it is his first major championship reign in WWE, and after so many near misses when going after the WWE Championship in the past, the reward was probably slightly overdue for Ryback.

But now that he's out of action with a return date unclear, you have to wonder what's in store for a title reign that has failed to really get people talking so far. It's probably unfortunate for Ryback that the sister title, the United States Championship, was seriously in the spotlight during the feud between John Cena and Kevin Owens.

That made Ryback's feuds with Big Show and The Miz look timid and uninteresting, and WWE has to seriously consider whether it wants to keep rolling with this storyline when Ryback does return.

In truth, if it wants to ignite some interest and validity into Ryback's reign as champion, it's time to look for someone new.

Big Show and The Miz have seriously shown little during Ryback's absence to suggest either of them could create a compelling and entertaining feud for such a prestigious title, and right now, perhaps they'd be best served feuding with each other at the bottom of the card.

So where does Ryback turn? The beauty of the current roster is that he's got plenty of potential candidates waiting to have a run at the intercontinental champion, but if he's going to remain babyface for the foreseeable future, then one man stands out: Rusev.

After injuring Dolph Ziggler and forcing him out of action, the big Bulgarian is someone who's also in need of a foe to get him back on the horse.

He's not really recovered since losing out to Cena over their series of matches, and the bickering between Lana and Summer Rae is not really putting him in a good place.

What Rusev needs is a strong, tough guy that he can compete with over the next few months to help restore him to his previous heights. Don't forget that before getting involved with Cena, Rusev was a one-man wrecking ball who took out everyone in his sight.

They're both similar in terms of their size, stature and wrestling style, and it would be a great fit for both men. We've touched on why Rusev needs Ryback and the Intercontinental Championship, but Ryback also needs someone like Rusev in his immediate future.

The Miz and Big Show just don't command the heat they used to anymore. Ryback needs a strong heel to square off against to provide validity to his babyface run.

What WWE can't allow is for this title reign to fade into nothingness before Ryback eventually drops the belt to someone people just don't care about that much.

Beating Rusev in the initial weeks after his return would help to give Ryback a platform to build from, and even if he ends up dropping the belt to the Bulgarian, he'd do so knowing that one of WWE's brightest talents has taken it rather than a veteran with little long-term future.

Whenever Ryback returns from his layoff, it's vital that WWE changes his path and direction. There has been precious little in the way of spark so far for The Big Guy in his first major title run, but it can still be saved.

If WWE uses his spell away to forget rivalries with Big Show and The Miz, this injury might just be a blessing in disguise for Ryback over the next few months.