WWE Armchair Booking: How to Maximize Ryback vs. Big Show vs. the Miz

WWE needs to use SummerSlam on August 23 as the jump-start that Ryback's WWE Intercontinental Championship reign so desperately needs.

His battle against Big Show and The Miz should be an emphatic win marked by several lasting images of The Big Guy's power. It need not be a long, drawn-out drama but simply a showcase of a wrecking ball knocking down a pair of walls.

WWE officials have to know that this Triple Threat match isn't going to be a classic. None of the three men who are vying for the title is a stellar worker. Fans aren't exactly salivating at the thought of this matchup either.

Thanks partly to those things, other SummerSlam contests are going to be higher priorities. Even so, the WWE has a chance to make Ryback look like a worthy champion and to increase his momentum as he wears the belt.

The Big Guy Overcomes

Ryback hasn't had a memorable reign thus far. He's spent much of it recovering from a staph infection from his knee. 

While that injury has slowed his progress as champ, it could also be the heart of the narrative at SummerSlam.

Before that comes into play, though, Big Show and Ryback should take turns clobbering The Miz. It's fun to see the braggart fall, and it's the most realistic scenario when two titans and a weasel do battle.

Credit: WWE.com

Ryback hits a Boulder Holder. Big Show follows with a sidewalk slam. The Miz rolls out of the ring, stunned.

It's then time for the two powerhouses to clash alone. Let Ryback shine here, handling Big Show and leaving him reeling. That's when The Miz returns, bringing The Big Guy's injury back into the story.

The self-proclaimed A-lister attacks Ryback's leg. The announcers talk up how the injury is not fully healed and how Ryback's knee is weak and vulnerable. This then becomes the major obstacle that the gutsy champ has to overcome.

A Pair of Climaxes

Hobbled, Ryback nearly loses to The Miz a few times. Big Show takes shots at the leg as well.

Eventually, a limping Ryback follows Big Show out of the ring. They brawl out there, trading haymakers as the announcers talk up Ryback's toughness.

"He's doing this on one leg!" Michael Cole says.

In addition to showing Ryback gritting through pain, the Triple Threat format allows him to get two victories in a way. He can produce two climaxes—one in his clash with Big Show and one in finishing The Miz.

The first comes courtesy of a Meat Hook clothesline that has Big Show crashing through the guardrail.

The Miz attacks Ryback right afterward. The heel drags him in the ring, but The Big Guy survives the coming onslaught.

He retains the title with a one-legged Shell Shocked that nets him a three-count.

Setting Up the Future

As a bonus, WWE can provide a surprise moment as well as a catalyst for a future feud.

Ryback lifts his belt in celebration. Wincing as he walks, he heads up the entrance ramp. It takes him a while to do so. That results in his crossing paths with Kevin Owens, who is coming down for his match with Cesaro.

Credit: WWE.com

Owens bumps into Ryback. The champ barks at him.

The situation quickly unravels as Owens throws Ryback into the security guardrail. The bruiser stomps on Ryback's leg. He towers over him, spittle flying as he shouts insults.

And with that, WWE has the option to insert Ryback into the Cesaro-Owens rivalry or have Owens eventually come after Ryback's belt, with the champion hungry for revenge.

SummerSlam then offers Ryback a reason to celebrate with his big win as well as a cliffhanger for the audience with the post-match altercation.