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#1 New WWE Champion
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Wow, what a shocker!
Something seemed strange when WWE abruptly switched AJ Styles' announced match against Rusev for a spot on the Survivor Series team to a WWE Championship match against Jinder Mahal mid-week.
Even though there was hope that The Phenomenal One could regain SmackDown's top prize then go on to face Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series, there were more than enough video packages on Raw that showcased the potential Brock vs. Jinder matchup to cast doubt. The sudden title match seemed simply like an attempt to pop a rating and nothing more.
After an incredible match in the main event, AJ Styles did what Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura couldn't do when he took The Maharaja's title away from him. This was the first overseas title change for that belt ever as well as the first time it's changed hands on SmackDown in 14 years. The last guy to win the title on the blue show? Brock Lesnar.
It's outrageous that the belt changed hands so soon before Survivor Series after some effort was already put into a Mahal/Lesnar build. Was confidence lost in Jinder? Or did a sudden injury prompt this match outcome? Those answers should come soon enough. For now, it's time to look forward to AJ Styles' next contest against The Beast Incarnate.
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