WWE Backlash 2017: If Jinder Mahal Wins, How Will SmackDown Look?

If Jinder Mahal is successful this Sunday in capturing the WWE World Title, how will the landscape of Smackdown Live change with a new champion?

In recent weeks Jinder Mahal has had an incredible push as one of the main heels on Smackdown Live, after the ‘Superstar Shake-up’ he shocked us all by winning a number one contenders match for the WWE World Title. He goes up against the current champion Randy Orton at WWE Backlash this Sunday. Both men gained wins on this week’s Smackdown Live, and Jinder stood tall against Orton by the end of the show. The momentum is definitely behind him heading into the match, he does stand a good chance at actually winning. If he does, what does that mean for the blue brand?

Will the brand benefit from having a new champion and a heel champion? It would be a huge shake-up, and that is absolutely needed for the product. It shows that not only can anything happen, but it means that people can and will get the top prize and it isn’t limited to the same names over and over again. A win for Jinder definitely opens the door for stars like Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura to also get to that top spot in the future and it paves the way for these names and more to keep things bright when the likes of John Cena and Orton step back.

A heel champion always makes things quite interesting, it gives the hero of the story something to fight for, a big obstacle to overcome. Jinder makes for the perfect heel champion, he’s great on the mic and getting good heat, he has the Singh Brothers in his corner to add an extra element. We haven’t really seen a good and successful heel stable since the likes of the original trio of The Wyatt Family and The Shield. These three have the chance to make something big and capturing the main title will solidify that. Anyone who then goes up against them will have a tall hill to climb and that makes for compelling viewing.

A fresh champion however always opens up the possibility that the title may lose its significance. During this current run for Randy Orton the booking has not been too strong and the title does feel like it isn’t as significant as it should be. With Jinder on the chase for it though, it does feel like something special and something worth fighting for. The short title runs for John Cena and Bray Wyatt haven’t helped, but someone actually making the title seem important does. If Jinder does capture the title, he will make it feel like it is the most important thing in the world and it will feel elevated. He needs to become the person to beat and a lengthy title reign with some strong defenses will make it feel special and very solid.

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Whatever happens at the event, Jinder needs to continue to shine. If he does not win, the feud should continue and he should capture it at the next PPV event or even with a surprise win on Smackdown Live. It would open up the opportunity for others to then go after the title, and have new and fresh faces in the picture. New feuds are always needed once the others have run their course, and there are so many possibilities moving forward with Jinder as champion. The booking needs to be strong, and so far for him it has been and it should continue. WWE Backlash will be an interesting show, and the anticipation for the main event is very high with that possibility of a new champion.