The (WWE) Fake News Awards
6. 'Talent' - Jinder Mahal
In 2017, WWE were conscious that they needed to keep pro wrestling safe, including moving away from a random skills migration and lottery system, to one that was merit-based.
It's certainly the only reason why the cartoonishly-muscled Jinder Mahal was made WWE Champion overnight as reports emerged about the company's interest in tapping into a relative unclaimed Indian marketplace.
His title reign was filled with matches that showcased his skill. WWE even knew it! Why else would they run two Shinsuke Nakamura matches on consecutive pay-per-views, or three Randy Orton ones. Why? Why?!
Ability, that's why. He looked great in defeat too, nobly going down twice to AJ Styles between November and December in the best matches he'd have all year. Just a coincidence that those contests came against arguably the finest performer in the world? Well, YES, obviously!
And to any of those cynics that the suggested the whole thing was just a ploy to shift tickets for tour shows in New Delhi and Abu Dhabi? Tough luck, suckers, fake news! Those shows didn't even draw that well! One even had to be cancelled! And Jinder lost comfortably to Triple H! Congratulations to the 'Modern Day Maharaja' on another deserved award for his collection.