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What’s the story?
According to The Dirty Sheets, although Jinder Mahal is set to defend his WWE Championship and be presented as a babyface against Kevin Owens during WWE’s tour of India, the duo won’t feud on SmackDown Live’s weekly episodes.
Additionally, both Mahal and Owens will indeed remain heels for the months to come. Besides, Mahal is likely to defend his title in Fatal 4-Way matches against Randy Orton, Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura or in singles matches against Nakamura; before moving on to a rivalry against AJ Styles.
In case you didn’t know…
Jinder Mahal became the first WWE Champion of Indian descent earlier this year and has retained the belt till date; with the WWE’s decision of keeping the strap on him being widely derided by fans and experts alike.
If one is to believe the pro-wrestling rumour mill, the Modern Day Maharajah is scheduled to remain WWE Champion until the WWE’s tour of India in December of this year.
The heart of the matter
Speaking of which, the Mahal vs Owens matchup during the tour won’t have any storyline implications on WWE’s TV programming, with management keen on presenting both Superstars as heels on SmackDown Live.
Furthermore, Mahal is likely to avoid defending the WWE Championship at Survivor Series, and instead move on to a feud with AJ Styles.
Moreover, Mahal is set to either defend his belt against Shinsuke Nakamura in singles matches or against Nakamura, Randy Orton and Rusev in Fatal 4-Way matchups at the blue brand's upcoming house shows before eventually moving on to a program with Styles.
What’s next?
Jinder Mahal recently toured India where he was and will continue to be marketed as a babyface. The WWE’s tour of the Asian nation goes down on the 8th and 9th of December.
Author’s take
Well, Jinder Mahal truly seems to be coming into his own as an elite star in the WWE.
I for one am loving the era of the Maharajah and look forward to the time his feud with the wonderfully gifted and charismatically fantabulous AJ Styles commences. Aren’t you?
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