{"id":164122,"date":"2026-07-09T07:00:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T11:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=164122"},"modified":"2026-07-09T01:21:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T05:21:01","slug":"why-chad-gable-must-win-the-ic-title-number-one-contenders-gauntlet-match","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/07\/09\/why-chad-gable-must-win-the-ic-title-number-one-contenders-gauntlet-match\/","title":{"rendered":"The Case for Chad Gable Winning the WWE Intercontinental Title Gauntlet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Penta signed with WWE in January 2025, bringing over a decade of experience and championship wins to WWE Raw. His very first match was against Chad Gable on the January 13, 2025 Raw, which he won.<\/span><\/p>\n

That led Gable on his journey to becoming El Grande Americano, setting off a year of intense wrestling and an icon being made.\u00a0Since his return, he has apologized to him and stuck up for him several times. It looks like his reward will be here next week. <\/span><\/p>\n

On\u00a0the July\u00a013,\u00a02026\u00a0Raw, a number one contender’s gauntlet match<\/a> will be held for Penta\u2019s\u00a0WWE\u00a0Intercontinental Championship, which he won in March<\/a> from Dominik Mysterio after Danhausen trickery. <\/span><\/p>\n

Gable will compete against Dragon Lee, Ethan Page, Je\u2019Von Evans, Joe Hendry, Mysterio, and Rusev to\u00a0determine\u00a0Penta\u2019s opponent at SummerSlam next month.\u00a0Given his journey so far and his connection with Penta, he has to be the wrestler to get the opportunity to challenge for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chad Gable Will Be Motivated By Many Factors<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

This year\u2019s SummerSlam will be extremely special for Gable. Like with Brock Lesnar, the PLE will be in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota. That means that his family and friends will be there to cheer him on, which is always good.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"WWE
An official WWE graphic for SummerSlam 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It will also be the first PLE\u00a0he\u2019ll\u00a0be\u00a0competing in after he\u00a0lost\u00a0his mask to Ludwig Kaiser\u2019s El Grande Americano at AAA Noche de\u00a0los\u00a0Grandes. Immediately losing after everything he did as Americano would be a terrible look for him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why he has to win the gauntlet match no matter if he comes on first, in the middle, or last next Monday. If he gets the championship opportunity, he\u2019ll potentially become Intercontinental Champion in his hometown after a tremendously successful character arc. <\/span><\/p>\n

He could beat the wrestler that inspired him to become Americano in the first place. Becoming the number one contender could set him up for another surge in popularity if he walks out of SummerSlam with championship gold<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Others\u00a0Will\u00a0Use Up Energy on\u00a0Their Rivals<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"WWE
A WWE Raw graphic featuring Chad Gable. (Photo Credit: WWE)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looking at the rest of the competitors, Gable would be the logical choice, even by ignoring his past with Penta and everything involving El Grande Americano. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mysterio is in a huge feud with Danhausen, which has completely spiraled out of control, leading to his Judgment Day partner JD McDonagh facing him next Saturday at Saturday\u2019s Night\u2019s Main Event. That means that there\u2019s a strong case for Danhausen interference when Mysterio is in the match.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n