Wade Barrett will be a big star one day, but that day is not yet. The man quickly leaped to winning NXT to headlining Survivor Series and becoming the most over heel on Raw in 2010 and leading the biggest and most hyped about heel faction since Evolution. He is currently the Intercontinental champion, I remember one day when the title was held by guys like The Rock and Bret Hart, it actually meant something back then. Now it is just given to anybody i.e Wade Barrett. Personally a guy like Wade Barrett doesnt need the IC Title as Sheamus didnt need the US Title. From going from mega heel maineventer on Raw he has dropped to midcarder of Smackdown in a space of a few months.
If you think about it Barrett has the total package. Hes young, decent in the ring, good on the mic, rumours have it he has good backstage politics, can cut a promo and has already proven he is main event material. These are all qualities that should make him a regular maineventer and even a champion. I would rather see Orton vs Barrett again than Orton vs Sheamus or Orton vs. Christian. He doesnt really need the IC Title with him, its not helping him, its actually reminding people that he just had a huge step down in his career! Somebody like Ezekiel Jackson, Jinder Mahal, Justin Gabriel, Cody Rhodes, Ted Dibiase, Bryan and Sin Cara are all candidates who need to be IC Champion ahead of Barrett.
Ezekiel Jackson Not good on the mic but is a big guy and has a unique look. As he ability to speak is not good enough to make him World Event material being IC Champion can help him so he doesnt become irrelevant.
Jinder Mahal Still very new, good in the ring (based on FCW matches and other promotions), good on the mic but not mainevent calibre yet so being IC Champion will help him get exposure as Champion material.
Justin Gabriel Now the Corre is dissolving, he like Slater will become irrelevant and a guy who posses talents like Mr Gabriel needs to stay relevant so by being IC Champion he gets exposure and will star relevant and remain a solid midcarder.
Cody Rhodes He has become irrelevant now as Smackdown is becoming flooded with mainevent heels such as Christian, Sheamus, Mark Henry (are you kidding me?!). Guys like Wade Barrett and Cody Rhodes cant become maineventers as the same guys are being handed chances for the World Title so talents like Rhodes must remain a midcarder. Rhodes has all that tools to be a great World Champion. Hes young, good on the mic and good in the ring. His talents shouldnt be wasted as they are being currently. Instead of losing to Cara and Bryan he should hold the IC Title so he stays relevant.
Ted Dibiase Jr This is a guy who is a talented athlete who has become nothing more than a jobber. He is a great talent and should be used properly. Giving him a IC Title reign would really boost up his career and it will allow him to start fresh and cement himself as a Smackdown talent.
Daniel Bryan Bryan is a guy who is slowly becoming irrelevant on Smackdown. Allowing him to be IC Champion would get him more TV time and his talents can be showcased on a regular basis.
Sin Cara The superstar has been hyped up but has not done much yet, giving him the IC Title can put him in good feuds with guys like Ted Dibiase, Cody Rhodes and Jinder Mahal so Sin Cara stays relevant. His terrible mic skills forbid him to become anything higher than a midcarder at the moment.
Basically what I am trying to say is that Barrett shouldnt be IC Champion, there are so many better candidates for that role.
BUT.....
.... If he loses to Ezekiel Jackson at Capitol Punishment where does he go from there? Smackdown has too many Mainevent heels in Sheamus, Mark Henry and Christian Barrett wont get his chance and without the title he will be put into feuds most likely with Bryan and Sin Cara then after that will become irrelevant. Although he doesnt need the IC Title I still think he should keep it so he doesnt become irrelevant on Smackdown as he is a great talent and most likely a future World Champion.