Since the brand split, SmackDown Live has been billed as the land of opportunity in the WWE. Nothing represents this mantra better than the recent push of former 3MB member Jinder Mahal. The Maharaja became the new WWE Champion after pinning Randy Orton at WWE Backlash.
While this is Jinder’s first taste of the main event scene in the WWE, he’ll need to change a few things if he wants to occupy this top spot on a regular basis and not be remembered as a transitional champ.
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#5 His in-ring style
Jinder Mahal has languished at the bottom of the card for several years. Throughout that time, he was a comedic heel who wasn't menacing or believable inside the ring.
To truly be a regular main event star and have a successful championship run, Mahal needs to overcome that in-ring stigma. He needs to tweak his style on the fly and show that his work in the ring can be real and meaningful.
He needs to come off as a dangerous antagonist that can cause significant damage to his opponents when they face him. When he achieves this, fans will see him as not just a flash in the pan main eventer, but as the WWE Champion and a top heel on SmackDown Live that is to be feared by all.
Moreover, Jinder has been using the same finisher since his NXT run, The Camel Clutch, untill now and it’s getting quite stale.
#4 His anti-American gimmick
The anti-American character is a time honoured tradition in the world of pro wrestling. From communist Russians to Iraqi generals and conceited Canadians, the role is constantly in play for heels in need of cheap heat. Though it has been an integral part of pro wrestling, history tells us that those who utilise the anti-American gimmick don’t last as main event stars. Sgt. Slaughter? The Iron Sheik? La Resistance?
All hot acts because of their anti-American rhetoric, but acts that fizzled in quick fashion. The gimmick simply doesn’t have the long-lasting staying power to sustain itself over a significant period. If Jinder Mahal is to maintain his position as a true main event star, he needs to shed this persona immediately.
He’s utilised it well thus far to get some quick heat, and it was necessary because of his meteoric push. Now that he’s laid the foundation, its time to back off of it and concentrate on himself as a character. He must develop his character away from simply being anti-American to position himself as a top star with the fans.
#3 His in-ring pose
Sure, this is a small thing, but a significant one at the same time. The one arm up in the air pose has been done more times than a Big Show heel turn. Mahal needs to come up with something more memorable and more fitting of his character. Right now his pose is vanilla. Something unique and different will position Mahal as a must seen main event attraction that is like no other competitor on the SmackDown Live roster.
Also read: WWE Backlash 2017: 5 stats and facts you must know
#2 His character story
Alright, he doesn’t need to change the story of his character outright, but he needs to give it a better definition. Is the man from an affluent Indian family? If so, he needs to tell that story. How did he get to be where he is? What is his heritage all about? Is he simply a man of Indian heritage that hates the United States?
While a bad base for a character, if that is what the character is, tell that story. Why did he come to hate the United States? What is his end goal with that hatred? Defining that character will help Mahal connect with the WWE Universe, so fans can easily buy into him and accept him at the top of the card and in main events.
#1 His promo work
No more yelling! That promo style doesn’t work at the main event level. At the top of the card, performers need to be able to tell their story appropriately and get people to pay to see the outcome of their feud. Only in small doses does yelling help that cause. Mahal needs to change his mic style if he’s going to stay at the top of the card and that means toning down all yelling.
When I hear yelling in a wrestling promo, I immediately think the person I’m watching is unpolished. Just like anywhere else in the world, yelling is not ideal when trying to get your point across. As a main eventer, you need credibility and have to get your point across sometimes in thirty seconds or less. That can’t be done with yelling. By taking screaming out of his promos, Jinder Mahal will look more credible and will be able to tell his story much easier.
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