WWE SummerSlam 2017 Results: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jinder Mahal Highlights
By Tim Sherry
Who walked out of the 2017 SummerSlam with the WWE Championship?
It’s been a bit of Cinderella story for Jinder Mahal for the past 4 months. After spending the majority of his 4-year career with the WWE on the lower card and losing the majority of his matches, he found himself in a position to challenge for a world title last May virtually out of nowhere. But he made the best of his moment at Backlash, defeating Randy Orton for the WWE Championship thus completing one of the craziest turn arounds in WWE history. Since then, he’s kept his belt through a series of nefarious tactics. All in all, it’s been a decent title run before SummerSlam.
Unfortunately for Mahal, he’ll have his hands full at SummerSlam with former 2-time NXT champion and New Japan Pro Wrestling legend, Shinsuke Nakamura. On paper, it seems like a mismatch but it seemed that way for Mahal with Orton as well and he managed to find a way to victory on pay per view 3 times over “The Viper”. Will he keep that streak going or will Nakamura pick up his first title on the main roster?
Lee England Jr. opened Nakamura’s entrance.
Ahhhhhh, the sweet sights and sounds of @leeenglandjr on the violin...#SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/gkIdU2TmAc
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
In his first ever SummerSlam, The Artist emerged.
Are we looking at the NEXT @WWE Champion? @ShinsukeN makes his #SummerSlam debut RIGHT NOW on @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/vAqEMZGlEd
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) August 21, 2017
And then the champ.
MODERN. DAY. MAHARAJA! #SummerSlam @JinderMahal pic.twitter.com/CBUaycOXJ4
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 21, 2017
The first few minutes were a feeling out process that saw Nakamura get the upper hand. Shinsuke managed s to work in his mind games.
The ARTIST known as @ShinsukeN is showing NO FEAR in the presence of the #ModernDayMaharaja @JinderMahal... #SummerSlam #WWEChampionship pic.twitter.com/CFfalyJovs
— WWE (@WWE) August 21, 2017
The Singh Brothers at ringside then made their first contribution, distracting Nakamura, allowing Jinder to take control. “The Maharaja” began to wear down the challenger with power rest holds, keeping the match grounded. Nakamura battled back with Daniel Bryan-like kicks and after a running knee, got a close two count. After another exchange, Nakamura locked in a triangle armbar that nearly elicited a tap from the champ.
The challenger @ShinsukeN making sure to keep HIS shoulders up as he inflicts pain on @JinderMahal! #SummerSlam #WWEChampionship pic.twitter.com/AGOt5S5fBh
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 21, 2017
Nakamura then went for his finisher but Mahal countered with a roll up for two, a slingshot and a running knee for another close two. Jinder then set up his finisher, but the challenger fought back with a vicious knee. After laying waste to the Singh Brothers who jumped on the apron, Mahal landed his finisher for the victory.
The era of the #ModernDayMaharaja CONTINUES as @JinderMahal leaves #SummerSlam with his #WWEChampionship! pic.twitter.com/ncR9mNjyJT
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 21, 2017
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What did you think of this match from SummerSlam?