THE MIZ (C) VS. DARREN YOUNG

Today marks the birthday of Darren Young. He was mainly a tag team wrestler in The Prime Time Players with Titus O'Neil. During this time he was on a singles run with the legendary Bob Backlund managing him, using a faux-Donald Trump “Make America Great Again” around bringing out Young's potential. The Miz has Maryse in his corner for the match. If Darren Young wins the match the championship is brought over to Raw with him.

THE MIZ © VS. DARREN YOUNG (WWE Intercontinental Championship)

WWE Battleground 2016 (24^th July 2016)

The Miz plays keep-away to start, ducking through the ropes and frustrating Young. They lock up and Young gets a hip toss, keeping hold of the champ. Darren Young takes him back down with a headlock. The Miz fights out but gets rolled up, kicking out at 1. Darren Young covers again and barely gets 2. Darren Young goes back to the headlock and Miz takes him back into the corner, he gets a weak cheap shot in and Young looks to Backlund for advice. They lock up and Miz kicks Young in the gut. Darren Young gets a headlock but Miz sends him off the ropes, sending him down with a shoulder tackle. Darren Young takes Miz down with a waistlock and gets a front facelock on the mat, complete with crocodile roll. The Miz works to his feet in the headlock, countering with a top wristlock and pulling Young into one of his own. The Miz is sent off the ropes but knocks Young down with a shoulder tackle. Darren Young goes prone, then helps Miz along, The Miz turns around into a discus forearm. Darren Young hits a swinging neckbreaker and covers for 2. Darren Young sends The Miz's head into the turnbuckle, chopping and slapping his face. The Miz reverses an irish whip but runs into the boot and Maryse shouts at Young from ringside as he climbs on the middle rope. The Miz shoves Darren Young down to the arena floor, taking his time before following. The Miz drops Young onto the barricade and rams him into the side of the ring. The Miz rolls Young back in the ring and covers for a nearfall. The Miz puts Young in a chinlock on the mat and the fans clap for Young. Darren Young gets to his feet but Miz cuts him off with a knee to the gut and takes him down with another headlock. The Miz talks trash to Backlund on the outside and Young rolls him over for a 1 count, trying the element of surprise. Darren Young gets to his feet, using his forearm to strike his way free. The Miz hits a neckbreaker across the knee but gets caught in a backslide, Miz flips over back to his feet and tries to bring Young down with a backslide, but Young is fighting back and counters into one of his own for a nearfall. The Miz boots Young in the face and stomps him on the mat. The Miz charges across the ring but Young takes his head off with a clothesline out of the corner. Darren Young blocks a right and gets one of his own, he backs Miz into the ropes with chops and forearms. The Miz is sent across the ring and Young knocks him down with clotheslines. Darren Young sends The Miz overhead with a belly to belly suplex, so he rolls outside for a breather, getting to his feet on the apron. Darren Young follows him out, hitting a back suplex on the apron and rolling Miz back in for a nearfall. Bob Backlund tells Young to try the crossface chickenwing but Miz charges him into the ropes to counter. The Miz tries to walk out of the match but is stopped dead in his tracks by Backlund. Backlund stalks Miz back to the ring and Darren Young brings him back in by the hair. Maryse slaps Backlund on the floor, sending him down. Maryse just decked the former champion! Maryse falls on the floor, claiming Backlund hit her as he goes crazy. The Miz confronts Backlund and shoves him to the ground. Darren Young sneaks up on Miz, locking in the chickenwing but the referee counts them both out.

RESULT: DOUBLE DQ (THE MIZ RETAINS)

I expected more from this match. The Miz was really growing into his character at this time and that came through in the match, but bell to bell it was just a paint by numbers defense for The Miz. Nothing much to see, but Young did get a surprising amount in on the champion to make people think the title could change shows. – WORKRATE: 2.5/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 2.25/5 OVERALL 4.75/10

After the match referees have to drag Young away