When WWE first put SmackDown’s biggest title on Jinder Mahal most thought it was an interesting idea and a very good attempt at securing India’s money. But as the months have progressed The Modern Day Maharaja’s title run might have turned out to be less successful than WWE would have hoped.
It doesn’t seem Mahal is getting over in India as much as WWE would have anticipated and the fact is there might not be as much money there as they thought either. Jinder is pulling off a dual-babyface/heel run as he is portrayed as a babyface in India and a heel in the US. Now Jinder Mahal is facing possibly his toughest opponent to date at SummerSlam when he squares off against Shinsuke Nakamura.
In the most recent Observer Newsletter, it is noted while plans are not certain at this point it looks as though Shinsuke Nakamura will be winning the WWE Championship at SummerSlam. But don’t get too excited because there is speculation Nakamura will win the title only to be screwed by Baron Corbin cashing in his Money In The Bank briefcase. This sounds strangely familiar.
It was noted on most levels Baron Corbin and Jinder Mahal offer a lot of the same characteristics except Jinder is being booked as a babyface in India and that wouldn’t be the case with Baron Corbin.
Nakamura and Corbin already have a rivalry established dating back to before The Lone Wolf became Mr. Money In The Bank. Therefore it would make sense in just about every aspect of the story to let Baron cash in on Nakamura and spoil his Strong Style celebration after defeating Jinder Mahal.
This booking decision would give Nakamura a WWE Championship credit to his resume (albeit a very short one) and establish Baron Corbin as an even more hated individual.
It could be the way WWE is going as they seem to have hit a wall in the “Jinder Experiment.” We’re not saying Mahal has been a terrible champion, he’s just not been tremendously great either.
