AJ Styles Wins WWE Title On SmackDown

'Phenomenal One' dethrones Mahal in Manchester.

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WWE

Jinder Mahal's interminable reign as WWE champion is finally over, after AJ Styles overcame the 'Modern Day Maharaja' on last night's SmackDown Live taping from Manchester.

Styles's victory marks the first time in WWE's history that their top title has changed hands outside North America, and stands on par with The British Bulldog's famous Intercontinental Title triumph in Wembley Stadium way back at SummerSlam 1992. The latest switch is also the first time the WWE Title has been won on an episode of SmackDown since Brock Lesnar conquered Kurt Angle in September 2003.

Having ended Jinder's five month stint as the top guy, 'The Phenomenal One' is now a two-time WWE champion, having previously held the strap from September 2016 until his dramatic defeat to John Cena at this year's Royal Rumble.

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The change comes just over a week removed from the Survivor Series PPV, and has immediate ramifications. Shorn of the belt, Mahal will no longer compete against WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at the event, with the new incumbent taking his place. The prospect of AJ Styles vs. Brock Lesnar is infinitely more appetising.

You can read WWE.com's full story on last night's shocking switch here.

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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.