10 Times WWE Completely Abandoned Their Talent
3. Jinder Mahal
Few were arguing for Jinder Mahal to be protected or preserved during his wretched and poorly-conceived 2017 WWE Championship, but the company's naked use and abuse of its talent was never more apparent than when they admitted defeat on their failing.
Mahal wasn't so much scapegoated following his defeat against AJ Styles as he was removed from the conversation entirely.
The tragedy of the reign was best summed up in the December tour of India curated to justify the whole thing. Two live stadium dates were reduced to one in a half-empty arena. Mahal's main event moment after the biggest year of his career? A loss to actual star Triple H of course! 'The Modern Day Maharaja' got his mandatory rematch in a nothing December pay-per-view clash with 'The Phenomenal One' before being immediately and brutally cycled down the card.
This was no subtle farewell, no Ultimate Warrior WrestleMania VII sideline feud with Randy Savage nor Yokozuna Tag Team Title run. He fell to earth with a thud then carried on going. The 24/7 Championship - a title not really of this planet - was paradoxically his saving grace.