With the Honk-a-meter and all...

[Theo Dious]

...is WWE actually trying to give the Intercontinental title some meaning again? Really, the first step to a title gaining credibilty is usually a good bit of TV time and a champion bragging about how he's the greatest ever because he has said title. Santino is doing a great job inflating the title's importance, and since Piper, Goldust, and HTM aren't likely to be signed for any kind of title run, I imagine Santino is going over whoever he faces at Cyber Sunday. So with a win over a champion who wore the classic style belt and continuing TV exposure, I think the title could gain some real meaning again. Of course the next step will be seeing the belt defended at fucking Wrestlemania.

Additionally, I think they're serious in taking the Honk-a-meter angle pretty far. That's probably why Santino hasn't been in many matches of late (not that he ever is) and why they aren't long ones when they do happen (again, not that they ever are,) but if you're building towards something long-term with this, a good way to do it is to have a champion who can keep the crowd's attention without wrestling much.

And one more thing, since the whole notion of Santino's Cyber Sunday match is to cash in on nostalgia, I think he should wear the classic strap to that match (and then keep it forever ;) )

[BigDaddyCool]

Yeah, as long as they do something with it. I think a midcard belts looks better on midcard or lower midcard guys, that upper midcarders and semi-main eventers. That is because they are aspiring to be something with the belt, while the upper midcarders and higher, it is merely a stepping stone. Like the last time Jeff Hary or Jericho had it. They just had it, didn't do anything with it.

[FourFifty]

I still think Kofi could have been the best thing to happen to the IC belt in a while.

[#1-norm-fan]

I think they're doing the angle because Santino is hilarious and can pull it off well.

As far as them using it as a way to give meaning to the IC Title, I really can't give them that much credit yet. It's a good storyline. At this point I think that's as far as it goes. No deeper agenda.

[Fox]

I guess I just have a differing viewpoint on what "giving a title credibility" means. Yeah. Santino is funny sometimes and the honk-o-meter thing is pretty funny. But to make a title mean something it should be defended in great wrestling encounters. Santino is not a great wrestler. I think Jeff Hardy was the last one to bring strength to the title because he was defending it regularly, having awesome matches against Umaga, and challenged the WWE Champ as IC Champ. It makes the man look strong and the belt looks strong along with it.

Santino is kind of making the belt a joke. A highly visible, noticeable, often funny joke, but a joke none the less.

[Afterlife]

That's a valid point. And I think Santino's first real feud during this story will involve a guy saying exactly that. Point out that just holding a title doesn't make you "great". Being able to defend it -- thru actual ability -- is what makes you great. A face using nobility to attack the integrity of Santino's run could really pull the best out of him, in spite of his efforts. Just a thought, of course, but that's kinda how I'd play it.

[Team Sheep]

Yeah Santino just steals victories in 2 minute matches, doesn't really strengthen the belt much. But yeah I love the character and the storyline.

[Juan]

Santino is actually a great wrestler, it's just that his current character calls for dumb luck wins.

[KingofOldSchool]

Break out....DA HONK-A-METER!

[MLW]

Santino is obviously going to lose it to the Glamazon (that's what she calls herself right?) at some point...you just wait and see!

[Nark Order]

Santino is actually a great wrestler, it's just that his current character calls for dumb luck wins.

lol, no. I'd like to think that as well, but truthfully he is pretty terrible. Great entertainer though.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm not sure if I'd call him great, but he's certainly better than average, from what I hear. His stuff in OVW as Boris Alexiev reminded people of a (kayfabe) Russian Kurt Angle. He's better in the ring than Vladimir Kozlov, at least. His character in the WWE really doesn't call for him to stretch his legs as a wrestler, which I think is their first mistake.

If they want to rise the prestige of the IC Title, Santino needs to be allowed to work. At Cyber Sunday, he will defeat whoever his opponent is. He needs to then start riding a wave of confidence and improvement, and start using his MMA stuff more, and busting out the dominant win every now and then.

[Juan]

lol, no. I'd like to think that as well, but truthfully he is pretty terrible. Great entertainer though.

Have you ever seen his OVW work? He may not be great, but certainly not terrible. He used to be an MMA fighter as well. He obviously isn't allowed to use his entire moveset

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[Mr. Nerfect]

He's great at playing a character. Also, some of his stuff in that video looked pretty sick. Santino should get some kind of "trainer" on-screen. Someone like Regal or a heel Finlay would be sweet. It can explain his kayfabe improvement as a wrestler.

[Afterlife]

The Riddle of Steel? That's incredible. I hope they call it that if he ever gets to use it.

[FourFifty]

Santino is obviously going to lose it to the Glamazon (that's what she calls herself right?) at some point...you just wait and see!

Calling it now- Beth will beat Santino for the IC title. A few weeks later Santino gets his rematch, but they stay as a couple on camera. This means it's The Honk-A-Tonk man on the Honk-A-Meter vs Glamerella, without losing a moment.

[The Optimist]

Yeah Santino isn't really going to rocket the title into a meaningful position. I love Santino, the Honk-A-Meter and this whole run, but the management probably doesn't and I'm sure fans don't dig it as hard as they'll have to for them to run this to it's natural conclusion. They should push the meter to the limit and have Santino go the whole year and change as champion and beat the Honkily Donkily Man in the last week before breaking the record.

They won't, of course. And Santino isn't really that powerful of a character at the moment,

[FourFifty]

If they keep the IC strap on Santino for that long I'd like to see Raw get either the CW title or Hardcore title back just so there's a midcard belt that's still moving.

[#1-norm-fan]

Have you ever seen his OVW work? He may not be great, but certainly not terrible. He used to be an MMA fighter as well. He obviously isn't allowed to use his entire moveset

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Damn!

I've NEVER thought this before but watching that honestly makes me feel like Santino could be a huge star. Like the new Kurt Angle.

[Theo Dious]

Wait.

Santino used to be a Russian?!

[Juan]

Yup, Boris Alexiev

[Theo Dious]

So what is he REALLY then, fucking Portuguese?

[Jeritron]

You're kidding right?

[Juan]

He's Italian, Ted.

[Jeritron]

Also, merely getting the title on the Wrestlemania card won't give it credibility. Giving it credibility will get it on the Wrestlemania card.