10 Incredible Wrestling Title Wins That Led To AWFUL Title Reigns

1. Jinder Mahal (WWE Title)

Braun Strowman Kayla Braxton
WWE.com

Anyone who said they could see Jinder’s victory over Randy Orton at Backlash 2017 coming is a liar. It came completely out of left field, but such shocks have worked before. Whilst this did stir some interest amongst fans, Mahal's title win definitely didn't do so for the right reasons.

Jinder’s rematches with Randy, including a ‘Punjabi Prison’ bout at Battleground in July, sagged. The least said about his dire SummerSlam-into-Hell In A Cell feud with Shinsuke Nakamura the better too. That was so bad, and veered awkwardly into racism territory when that was literally the worst route creative could've gone.

WWE ended this nightmare by putting AJ Styles over Mahal on the 7 November SmackDown in England. That big time title switch instantly restored some pride to the top belt in the industry, and it closed the book on Jinder's time as a headliner for good.

His 170-day reign felt like it lasted forever.

Which other incredible title wins led to awful reigns? For more wrestling, check out AEW Revolution 2023: 10 Things That Must Happen and AEW Revolution 2023: 10 Nightmares That Could Come True!

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.