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WWE SmackDown Rankings: Who Will Face Jinder Mahal at SummerSlam?

By Warsame A

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Smackdown. Photo by WWE.com

The SmackDown Live World Title Picture

Highlights of the Division

The Punjabi Prison Match was lacking any type of ring action but made up for it with amazing storytelling and insane spots. Jinder Mahal made the most out of that match and has firmly established himself as a thinking-man champion. Some people have said that his title reign is eerily similar to the JBL championship run in 2004/05. Both were mid card talent that captured the WWE Championship, had a decent main event run and formed a stable to retain their gold. The key to Mahal’s championship reign is if he could retain the title at Summerslam. Guys like Shinsuke Nakamura, John Cena, and Baron Corbin are all gunning for his crown, will the Maharaja retain it?   

As for John Cena and Shinsuke Nakamura, both men will face off next week to determine who will face Mahal at Summerslam. This type of match should be reserved for a pay per view but the importance of this bout should be seen on television. Shinsuke Nakamura has fully established himself as a true contender since arriving on Smackdown. The WWE fans haven’t followed along his career path in Japan and NXT to warrant him the main event slot alongside Jinder Mahal. So in the end, John Cena should and must win next weeks match and face the Maharaja for the WWE Championship at Summerslam.

Meanwhile, for the Rest of the Division

Randy Orton suffered a setback in not regain the WWE Championship at Battleground. So what is next for the former 13 time WWE Champion? It clearly depends on what transpires next week on Smackdown Live. He could feud with the loser of the US Championship match or the No. 1 Contenders Match for the WWE Championship. An interaction backstage with any of the four men should trigger this feud with the Viper. His anger of not capturing the WWE Championship should fuel him to aim his venom to any Smackdown superstar who will get him back to the title hunt.

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

WWE World Champion: Jinder Mahal (13 Wins – 10 Losses)

Contenders

  • Top Contender: Randy Orton (10 Wins – 8 Losses)
  • Contender No. 2: John Cena (8 Wins – 4 Losses)

Pretenders

  • Pretender No. 1: Shinsuke Nakamura (8 Wins – 2 Losses)

Next: WWE Raw Rankings for July 25

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