Jinder Mahal is WWE Champion. Let that sink in for a moment. Casual fans may start to question whether Jinder is a new talent from the indies or from NXT. But no, Jinder has been in the WWE for a very long time. His most famous run came as a member of the 3-Man Band (3MB), together with yet another returning superstar in Drew McIntyre, now of NXT, and Heath Slater.
Mahal has only been on Smackdown Live's roster since the Superstar Shakeup, and prior to that, he was a jobber on Raw. He won the title off Randy Orton at Backlash this past Sunday (Monday, Malaysian time), after Orton was distracted by the Bollywood Boyz. Jinder has a lot to thank for the Bollywood Boyz. It was they, who appeared unannounced during the No.1 contender's match to help Jinder get to this spot. That, and the fact that WWE is desperately trying to cater to the Indian market, where there are the 3rd highest number of professional wrestling fans after the US and the UK, and one where TNA has a bigger following than WWE.
Many fans have complained about Jinder's sudden push into the top tier of WWE's card, however, for me, I think it is a great idea. Ignoring WWE's commercial interests, I ask who would I be more interested in seeing as champion, Randy Orton or Jinder Mahal? My answer is Jinder. I've seen Orton as champion 13 times already, and not many of them have been memorable. I also prefer Jinder Mahal as champion over a missing Brock Lesnar on Raw. He has not defended his title for 30 days, nor appeared on WWE TV since Wrestlemania, and by right, should be stripped off his title. I am more interested in watching a present champion than a missing one at all times.
Some of the more hardcore fans would point out that Jinder has only started winning matches recently, but my take is if you don't start now, when would you do it? Others will claim AJ Styles has a more rightful claim to the title than Jinder, but if WWE pushes AJ alone, who will he feud with eventually? Sami Zayn is the crowd favourite, but he himself has been on a losing streak, so what's the differentiate him from Jinder. Granted Zayn is a million times a better wrestler, but to judge based on a winning criteria alone, its not possible to justify for Zayn.
What I hope to see now is for WWE to get fully behind Jinder and push him as a main event star, until the return of Rusev, who will now be pushed as a face. We know WWE has issues with pushing 2 traditionally heel opponents based on their nationality alone so I doubt it will be a long program, but give Rusev time on the mic and he will build you a character. Orton will still have his contractual rematch clause, and he is better when he is chasing, but lets not take the carpet off Jinder for the moment and enjoy the ride.
Mahal has only been on Smackdown Live's roster since the Superstar Shakeup, and prior to that, he was a jobber on Raw. He won the title off Randy Orton at Backlash this past Sunday (Monday, Malaysian time), after Orton was distracted by the Bollywood Boyz. Jinder has a lot to thank for the Bollywood Boyz. It was they, who appeared unannounced during the No.1 contender's match to help Jinder get to this spot. That, and the fact that WWE is desperately trying to cater to the Indian market, where there are the 3rd highest number of professional wrestling fans after the US and the UK, and one where TNA has a bigger following than WWE.
Many fans have complained about Jinder's sudden push into the top tier of WWE's card, however, for me, I think it is a great idea. Ignoring WWE's commercial interests, I ask who would I be more interested in seeing as champion, Randy Orton or Jinder Mahal? My answer is Jinder. I've seen Orton as champion 13 times already, and not many of them have been memorable. I also prefer Jinder Mahal as champion over a missing Brock Lesnar on Raw. He has not defended his title for 30 days, nor appeared on WWE TV since Wrestlemania, and by right, should be stripped off his title. I am more interested in watching a present champion than a missing one at all times.
Some of the more hardcore fans would point out that Jinder has only started winning matches recently, but my take is if you don't start now, when would you do it? Others will claim AJ Styles has a more rightful claim to the title than Jinder, but if WWE pushes AJ alone, who will he feud with eventually? Sami Zayn is the crowd favourite, but he himself has been on a losing streak, so what's the differentiate him from Jinder. Granted Zayn is a million times a better wrestler, but to judge based on a winning criteria alone, its not possible to justify for Zayn.
What I hope to see now is for WWE to get fully behind Jinder and push him as a main event star, until the return of Rusev, who will now be pushed as a face. We know WWE has issues with pushing 2 traditionally heel opponents based on their nationality alone so I doubt it will be a long program, but give Rusev time on the mic and he will build you a character. Orton will still have his contractual rematch clause, and he is better when he is chasing, but lets not take the carpet off Jinder for the moment and enjoy the ride.
