I understand your reasoning for wanting reigns to win in order to save his push but my entertainment as a fan comes first and I'm not tryna watch dude put me to sleep with boring matches, boring feuds and boring promos. If you do it the right way I believe he can lose and still have his rise salvaged.
He can do a humble promo where he says "I gave it my all and came up a little short. I let myself down, I let my family down, and I let my fans down. But this isn't the end. I'm going to work my ass off to get another opportunity and prove myself to you people. And it all starts with -"
*cues theme music or whoever wins intercontinental championship*
Feud starts. Fans feel okay rooting for reigns again because it feels like he's really gonna work his way up this time.
I think it's fixable without forcing the belt on him.