Jinder Mahal seemed like an unlikely WWE Champion when he first beat Randy Orton for the title, but he’s since established himself as a strong force atop SmackDown Live. There’s been another force building steam since then, though, and the rise of Shinsuke Nakamura finally lead to a title match at SummerSlam 2017 that was just as hard-hitting a match as a battle between the strong style of Nakaumura and the sheer will and power of Mahal would promise it to be.
SummerSlam 2017 results: Jinder Mahal destroys the art of Shinsuke Nakamura
Not even Nakamura can overcome Mahal and the Singh Brothers.
Braun Strowman is the greatest wrestler, even without championship
Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose reunite and celebrate
All the winners and highlights from SummerSlam
For more on WWE and wrestling, visit Cageside Seats
Nakamura actually dominated most of the match, countering Mahal’s power with his special brand of mind games and theatrics — and his usual barrage of incredibly stiff strikes. Inside the ring, outside the ring, on the ropes or right in the middle of the ring, Nakamura had full control.
Until the Singh brothers got involved. Again.
Three times before, they’ve helped Mahal win or retain the WWE Championship, and at SummerSlam they made it four. With Mahal lying prone in the middle of the ring and Nakamura setting up for this famous Kinshasa knee strike to finish him off, the brothers got into the ring. Nakamura dealt with them in short order, but they weren’t trying to stop him — they were setting him up for Mahal, who quickly hit his Khallas slam and pinned Nakamura in the middle of the ring.
It was a surprising result, with Nakamura the heavy favorite to win the match in the eyes of many fans. Instead, Mahal continues his reign, and now we have to ask what it’s going to take to finally knock him off his throne.
See More:
