After winning the no.1 contenders match a few weeks ago on SmackDown, Jinder Mahal’s stardom has risen to new levels we never thought possible. The Canadian-born wrestler is now one of the top heels in the company, rapidly becoming the most talked about member of the roster.
I know this may be an unpopular opinion, but I strongly believe Jinder Mahal should beat Randy Orton at Backlash to become the new WWE Champion. Jinder has it all, looks, charisma, presence and wrestling ability. The company is in the midst of great change and Jinder Mahal as WWE kingpin would signify that change best.
Here are 5 reasons why Jinder Mahal should become the next WWE Champion.
#5 It's a fresh face for the title scene
SmackDown is great but when the draft first took place, the blue brand was billed as the land of opportunity. So far we’ve only seen WWE title reigns from Dean Ambrose, AJ Styles, Bray Wyatt, John Cena & Randy Orton. That doesn’t sound so opportunistic, it sounds like already known main eventers hogging the spotlight.
Jinder Mahal is not only a fresh face in the WWE title picture, he’s a fresh face in the main event scene. He’s exactly what SmackDown needed and gives the fans new hope that anyone of their underappreciated favourites could be going for gold one day.
#4 He's never won gold in the WWE before
Despite being in the company for just under seven years, Jinder Mahal has never been trusted with gold in the WWE. For a man to hold a championship in the WWE implies that the company are firmly behind him and confident in his abilities as a wrestler.
To hold a title in the WWE means you’ve made it, to hold the WWE Championship means you’re an extremely valued player.
For Jinder Mahal’s first title reign in the WWE to be with the WWE Championship would show how valued he truly is in the company and what he could achieve in the near future. To join the exclusive list of WWE Champions sets Jinder aside from the rest and finally places him where he belongs.
#3 SmackDown needs a dominant heel champion
Yes, we’ve been blessed with a title reign from a braggadocios AJ Styles and a mysterious Bray Wyatt, but SmackDown has not experienced what a dominant heel champion looks like. Jinder Mahal could be that man to fill the gaping void.
Heel champions always give the main event a fiercer focus, fans specifically tune in just hoping to see a promising babyface topple that barrier. Along with the Bollywood Boyz, Mahal could prove to be that barrier on SmackDown that wipes out all those before him.
We need Jinder to be hated, loathed, feared and respected all at the same time. We want fans to hate him personally and the fact that he’ll be beating everyone they love with ease.
#2 Orton's title reign has been lacklustre
When you’re not even main eventing on Tuesday nights, you know your reign has become worthless.
Randy Orton is currently playing second fiddle to the US Champion Kevin Owens, that’s not a shot at the title, that’s a testament to the man carrying it. From the very start, we knew Randy Orton’s title would be a flop when he received a lacklustre reaction at Wrestlemania and an unfriendly welcome on the SmackDown after.
Despite being a 13-time world champion, Randy Orton is not John Cena and he never will be.
He’s not the old head that can main event a show and the sustain the interest of the masses, he needs relevant dance partners. And when he doesn’t have someone of equal or bigger status to feud with, his flaws as a character become more apparent.
#1 It's time to make new stars
We’re always complaining that the WWE push the same type of stars but when they choose to push a new face, people get angry. Why? Could it be that fans just love complaining about everything? Maybe.
Regardless, the WWE are now pushing former jobber Jinder Mahal into the main event and it’s great. He may not be a new face but we have never seen so many eyes on the 30-year old at one time. He’s being given all the attention he needs to become a main event heel and carry the company for future years to come.
New stars give the company newer streams of revenue which mean the company can expand in ways it couldn’t before.
Let’s also not downplay the international appeal of pushing Jinder Mahal. According to the 2011 census, 17% of the world is of Indian descent, equating to 1.21 billion people. That’s a massive market to be tapped into, and with shareholders heavily invested in the WWE Network’s growth, Vince will be watching Jinder’s rise to stardom carefully.
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