10 Biggest Problems Facing WWE Creative At The Moment

4. Making Jinder Mahal A Credible WWE Champion

Jinder Mahal WWE
WWE.com

We’re not even halfway through 2017 yet, but it’s hard to imagine anything topping Jinder Mahal’s rise from enhancement talent to WWE Champion as the year’s biggest shock. ‘The Maharaja’ was hot-shotted from obscurity to the main event faster than anyone before him, and while his title-winning match with Randy Orton drew plenty of heat, there’s still a huge credibility discrepancy.

Jinder was one of the lowest wrestlers on the totem pole a few weeks ago, and while he has picked up a few wins lately, he’s still dragging the WWE Title down. His leap up the card came too quickly and without enough build to make it feel believable, and if he holds the belt beyond Money In The Bank this weekend, Creative face an uphill battle to transform him into a convincing figurehead.

Mahal’s most vocal critics have already made up their mind on the guy, but the stream of bland material he has been fed since becoming champion won’t convince the rest. Getting him over is one of the biggest challenges WWE will face this summer, but it’s a hurdle they must leap if they’re to rebuild SmackDown’s struggling main event scene, and restore the title’s prestige.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.