WWE Smackdown Division Rankings: Carmella Wins MITB Again

Smackdown Live. Photo by WWE.com

The Smackdown Live World Title Picture

Highlights of the division

Jinder Mahal re-introducing the Punjabi Prison Match in his next title defense at Battleground should be the perfect opportunity to showcase a different element to his character. He’s been stale and repetitive since capturing the title at Backlash. Going through the same song and dance for six weeks will not cut it as the WWE Champion.

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The fans grew sour on Orton’s title reign after Wrestlemania because he lost the edge he had in his rivalry with Bray Wyatt. Mahal has seemed satisfied in winning the title but bringing back the Punjabi Prison Match should turn him into a vicious champion in the build-up to Battleground. 

Randy Orton has finally woken up and turned back the clock as the Viper we all know and love.

His desperation to destroy Mahal and the Singh Brothers for what happened at Money in the Bank should make up the logic on why he’s facing Mahal for the third straight time.

The unpredictability that surrounds Orton should have been used last month after he lost the championship. It doesn’t seem like Orton will reclaim back the title but he should make the fans aware that his killer instinct is back for the long haul.

Meanwhile, for the rest of the division.

John Cena will finally make his return next week and it’ll probably be him throwing his hat for a WWE title shot at Summerslam. It seems like the obvious choice since the only other contender in the Smackdown main event picture.

If Mahal retains his title at Battleground, the WWE will probably advertise this feud as the battle between the United States vs India. Having two national heroes battling for the top prize in the biggest pay per view of the summer is not something the WWE will pass up at all.

Let’s see the rankings for the division this week.

WWE World Champion: Jinder Mahal (11 Wins – 10 Losses)

Contenders

• Top Contender: Randy Orton (10 Wins – 6 Losses)
• Contender No. 2: John Cena (6 Wins – 4 Losses)

Pretenders

• Pretender No. 1: Shinsuke Nakamura (6 Wins – 1 Loss)

What are your thoughts on this week’s Smackdown Rankings? Comment below!