18 Ups & 12 Downs From The WWE SmackDown Live Era
5. AJ Saves The Day
Jinder Mahal's WWE Championship reign was easily, easily the low point of the blue brand's SmackDown Live era, but WWE at least made good on several rotten months by delivering a surprising and hugely satisfying conclusion to the 'Modern Day Maharaja's run.
AJ Styles dethroning him on television rather than pay-per-view was unique. The taping occuring in Manchester, England made the moment legitimately historic. The fact that it transformed a Survivor Series main event from Brock Lesnar Vs Jinder Mahal to the first ever meeting between 'The Beast' and 'The Phenomenal One' didn't even sink in until the celebrations over the title change had calmed down.
The reign itself couldn't top the euphoria of the original victory, but what a rare made-for-television moment it was.