10 Things We Learned From The Post-Backlash WWE SmackDown (May 23)
The One-Ring Circus: Roll Up! Roll Up!
Jinder Mahal is the WWE Champion. It is a symbol of unthinkable achievement, and yet is muddied by cynical profiteering. It represents an unlikely rise of a performer from the gutter to the stars, but is littered with caveats and asterisks. It is everything, and yet it is nothing.
This nihilism has now enveloped WWE to such a degree, that a vociferous Chicago crowd issued 'Lets Go Jinder/Jinder Sucks' chants throughout his heated Backlash main event against Randy Orton and either feigned or felt enough shock to get themselves on camera at the end of the dramatic broadcast.
It carried all the hallmarks of some of the company's great shocks, but lacked even a shred of gravitas thanks to the instantaneous nature of the push.
A painful reminder that what you're watching is ultimately meaningless, WWE in 2017 can't even claim to be escapist entertainment when the performers themselves are existing in an alternate reality from the standard 'Universe' they once used to live in.
The indulgent instant gratification from Jinder's victory will be rapidly undone when he's incapable of upholding the main event quality matches now expected from the blue brand, all for those sweet sweet rupees. The only possible saving grace comes from the relative novelty of seeing a new performer carry the title, with the knowledge that at least Shane McMahon can't calmly steal it back off him this time. And for the rest? A briefcase awaits...
10. JindBL
There are far less in the present day, and hardly any compared to the heady days of the Attitude Era, but WWE love a good limousine entrance when they can get away with it. In terms of direction and beauty shots, it's amazing you can still make out the car without having to wipe the feverish saliva from the lens.
When Jinder Mahal bailed with Randy Orton's WWE Title on SmackDown Live! several weeks ago, the company lingered painfully on the car company's logo before pulling out to reveal a stretch humvee that carted the 'absconder' away from the arena. He's wealthy you see, he's got access to a massive motor and you possibly haven't, so BOO THIS MAN.
When Mahal arrived in the show-opening segment with his big car and big rug and big muscles as he had done before winning the WWE Title at Backlash, it was the latest salvo in the company's updated efforts in pushing their newest sensation. Seemingly undecided if they want to fetishise his wealth or ethnicity for heat, they've doubled down, but fans may be too sophisticated now.
When JBL (a consistently relevant comparison point) first swapped his boots for suits and began turfing Mexicans over the border, he did so in such a vile manner (which probably didn't stray too far from his Fox News leanings) that he was easily detestable.
Mahal isn't from here, and likes nice things. What, you need more?