8 Big Concerns Heading Into WWE Hell In A Cell 2017

3. Jinder's Turgid Reign Continues

Shane McMahon Kevin Owens Hell In A Cell
WWE.com

Jinder Mahal's reign of error as WWE Champion is fast approaching its 140th day. Among others, 'The Modern Day Maharaja' has now topped The Undertaker, The Rock, Ric Flair, and Kurt Angle's longest runs with the belt, and there are strong suggestions that he could hold the title into 2018, with his reign potentially stretching as far as WrestleMania 34.

WWE are hell-bent on swimming against the tide with Mahal. Despite no clear evidence that his reign has achieved its goal of spiking business in India, they continue to poison SmackDown's main event scene by maintaining his position as the figurehead. He'll face Shinsuke Nakamura on Sunday, and the likeliest outcome is a win for Jinder, extending his run through another PPV arc.

The duo's previous encounter was Nakamura's worst match since joining WWE in 2016, and there's little chance their rematch will be any better. This is small-fry compared to the long-term consequences of Jinder winning, though. SmackDown is crying out for a WWE Champion the fans are invested in and actually want to root for after the torment of Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, and Mahal's reigns, and Nakamura losing would only compound the division's status as WWE's most skippable scene.

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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.