10 Wrestlers Whose Stock Has Risen In 2017
1. Jinder Mahal
No wrestler has ever gone from jobber to WWE Champion as quickly as Jinder Mahal. A lifelong enhancement talent, ‘The Maharaja’ was more used to rubbing shoulders with the likes of Curtis Axel on Main Event than wrestling in actual main events a few months ago, but here we are. Named number one contender on April 18th, Jinder took Randy Orton’s title at Backlash, and now stands as the centerpiece of SmackDown’s programming.
Mahal has shot up the rankings like none other. His rise was completely unforeseen, and is without precedent. WWE have crowned unlikely champions before, but never in such jarring fashion, and regardless of whether or not Mahal’s coronation was just a ploy to expand into the Indian marketplace, his elevation will go down as one of 2017’s biggest shocks.
It’s easy to criticise Jinder’s push at the moment, but time will tell how it pans out. Perhaps he’ll drop the Championship back to Orton in ‘The Viper’s’ hometown on June 18th, or maybe he’ll defy the critics, take his performances to the next level, and become one of WWE’s most reviled villains. Either way, he’s easily the most divisive wrestler of 2017, and it’s all thanks to his monster push.