8 Ways Money In The Bank 2017 Could Shape WWE's Summer
1. Jinder Dooms Us To A Dismal Summer
No match will have more of a defining impact on SmackDown’s summer than Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton. All signs point towards ‘The Modern Day Maharaja’ retaining his WWE Championship on Sunday, and holding it for several months as the company attempt to establish a foothold in the potentially massive Indian market, while domestic interest levels tumble.
If Mahal defeats ‘The Viper’ (and there’s not an immediate MITB cash-in), it’s hard to imagine SD escaping its summer slump. Every available metric shows that his reign has had a detrimental impact on the American market, and while John Cena’s imminent return should help boost viewership figures for a short time, it’s hard to get excited about a show with such a bland figurehead.
Jinder leaving MITB with the belt all but guarantees that SmackDown’s main event scene will remain the brand’s least interesting division throughout the summer. Orton regaining the strap wouldn’t be a whole lot better, but at least he has the credibility required to hold WWE’s supposed "top prize". Mahal, while far from terrible, has been an insipid champion, and if he continues in this role beyond Money In The Bank, fans are in for a long, arduous summer.