WWE Hell in a Cell 2017: Who is WWE Champion?

At WWE Hell in a Cell 2017, Jinder Mahal successfully defended the WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura.

One of the most anticipated matches at WWE Hell in a Cell 2017 was the WWE Championship match. It was a rematch from SummerSlam. That’s where Jinder Mahal first defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to retain the title. At HIAC, the result was the same – Mahal walked in and walked out as WWE Champion.

Even before winning the WWE Championship at Backlash way back in May, Jinder has been a polarizing figure to the WWE Universe. On the one hand, many felt that someone with the career history of Jinder Mahal should not be WWE Champion. In the eyes of those fans, he is a mere step above the Brooklyn Brawler, Barry Horowitz, and Iron Mike Sharpe.

On the other hand, though, the other section of the WWE Universe thought it was a great move. (I happen to fall into that category.) With Jinder becoming WWE Champ, it sets a precedent that anyone, anywhere, at any time can ascend to WWE’s highest peaks. It didn’t have to be a long title reign, mind you – just a few weeks, let him defend the title once or twice, and then drop it and move on.

Clearly, that wasn’t what happened here.

Just How Long Has Jinder Been Champ?

Heading into Hell in a Cell, Mahal had held the WWE Championship for 140 days. This all happening despite his terrible, awful, (scripted) racist rants in recent weeks on SmackDown Live. He had already eclipsed numerous Hall of Famers during his sole title reign. Sgt. Slaughter (64 days), Ric Flair (118), Eddie Guerrero (133), and Edge (139) all held the title for less time than Jinder freaking Mahal. Not to mention top superstars like Daniel Bryan (65), Chris Jericho (98), and Roman Reigns (118).

But the one that will sting for most of the WWE Universe is who The Modern Day Maharaja passed with his HIAC victory. The Face That Runs The Place, The Champ That Runs The Camp, The Phenomenal AJ Styles held the WWE Championship for 140 days in his only run with the title (so far). And Jinder will hit at least 141 now.

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Defeating Nakamura not only allowed Jinder to pass Styles on the list of longest reigns, but put him in striking distance of another kind of unsung hero. With Survivor Series being over a month away, it’s likely Mahal will hold the title until then. Which means that The Miz, at 159 days as WWE Champ, will likely get passed, as well.

And what if there’s no WWE Championship match at Survivor Series? Maybe Jinder will be in a 5-on-5 elimination tag match instead. Then he’d pass Sheamus, who was champion for 183 days over three reigns. Folks, we live in a world where the drummer from 3MB has a legit shot to be world champion for more time than the guy from The Real World and a big Irish guy that could probably straight up destroy him.

Next: WWE Hell in a Cell 2017 Review

And don’t get me started on what happens if Jinder remains champion until the Royal Rumble in January. If that happens, he’ll pass The Undertaker and I’m pretty sure the world comes to an end. But don’t quote me on that.