WWE SmackDown 5 Takeaways: Jinder Mahal’s Plate Getting Fuller

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1. Jinder Mahal vs. Brock Lesnar is a Terrible Idea, but Jinder Mahal vs. A.J. Styles is a Perfect Idea

The Modern Day Maharaja has ran roughshod on SmackDown since becoming WWE Champion at Backlash against Randy Orton.  Jinder Mahal has had one of the most unexpected and controversial WWE Championship reigns of all-time with many fans questioning his legitimacy, but he has prevailed in every feud and opponent that has been thrown his way.

Mahal defeated Shinsuke Nakamura at Hell in a Cell to once again retain his championship, but last night’s SmackDown shed some light on what the future has in store for Mahal.  He was set to make a Survivor Series announcement, and boy did he ever.

The WWE Champion challenged the Beast Incarnate and Universal Champion Brock Lesnar for a match at Survivor Series and stated there were no true challenges left on SmackDown.  Lesnar is set to answer Mahal’s challenge on the next edition of Raw, but it appears as though the rumors of Mahal vs. Lesnar are true.

While it’s usually intriguing to see a champion vs. champion match, especially between the WWE’s two world champions, this case is totally different.  To call this match a potential disaster would be an understatement.  The WWE wants to make Mahal look good and like a true WWE Champion, but having him face Lesnar would be a terrible decision.

Lesnar has not had a televised one-on-one match exceed 10 minutes in duration in over a year and to have him wrestle a slow-paced, submission hold type of wrestler would do neither individual any favors.  In fact, Lesnar might be the worst possible opponent for Mahal at this point.

But the perfect opponent for Mahal presented himself last night in the form of The Phenomenal A.J. Styles.  Styles took offense to Mahal’s statement that he has beaten everybody on SmackDown and Styles subsequently challenged Mahal for the WWE Championship.  There is no better superstar in the WWE to help make his opponent look like a million bucks than Styles.

But if Mahal is facing Lesnar at Survivor Series, when will Styles’ opportunity come?  It seems likely we’ll see Mahal face off with both Lesnar and Styles sometime in the near future.  But there’s no denying Styles would be a better opponent for Mahal than Lesnar would be.

Next: WWE Raw 5 Takeaways From Oct. 16 Show

The Modern Day Maharaja has a full plate of challenges lined up and his reign and legitimacy will be answered now more than ever before.