Braun Strowman wins WWE Intercontinental title

Braun Strowman’s first singles title reign began on tonight’s episode of SmackDown.

Strowman defeated Shinsuke Nakamura on the show to win the Intercontinental Championship. Sami Zayn and Cesaro got involved in the match, with Zayn exposing one of the top turnbuckles. But Strowman sent Nakamura into the turnbuckle instead and pinned him after hitting a powerslam.

Nakamura and Strowman have been feuding with each other since before the Royal Rumble. Strowman issued a challenge to Nakamura after defeating him in a non-title match earlier this month, but Zayn said Nakamura was focused on the Rumble.

After Nakamura lost the Intercontinental title tonight, there was a segment where Elias playing his guitar in the ring kept interrupting Zayn, Nakamura, and Cesaro’s backstage interview. It led to Elias getting the better of a brawl with Cesaro after Cesaro came down to the ring.

Nakamura had been Intercontinental Champion since winning the title from Finn Balor on the Extreme Rules pre-show in July 2019.

Strowman has previously been a Raw Tag Team Champion twice, briefly holding the titles with Nicholas and Seth Rollins.