On May 21, 2017, the world of professional wrestling was forever changed when Jinder Mahal defeated Randy Orton to claim the WWE Championship. In a stunning turn of events, the “Modern Day Maharaja” made history and silenced his critics by becoming the face of WWE’s SmackDown brand. His victory marked the pinnacle of his career and an unforgettable moment in WWE history.
A Shocking Rise to the Top
Jinder Mahal’s rise to the top of WWE was nothing short of extraordinary. Prior to his WWE Championship win, Mahal’s career had been marked by struggles and unfulfilled potential. When he was first introduced to WWE in 2011, Mahal was largely seen as an underdog, with many questioning his place in the company. Despite his initial push as a heel, he quickly fell into obscurity, spending years in mid-card feuds and lower-profile matches.
However, in 2016, Mahal made a dramatic return to WWE, sporting a more muscular physique and a new persona. This was a pivotal moment that set the stage for his eventual championship win. In his second stint, Jinder Mahal was determined to prove that he could be more than just a filler character. With a reinvigorated attitude, he quickly gained attention and began rising up the ranks on the SmackDown roster.
The Build-Up to the Championship Match
By the time May 21, 2017, arrived, Mahal had undergone a dramatic transformation, both physically and mentally. His newfound self-confidence, paired with his sharp, aggressive in-ring style, earned him the opportunity to face Randy Orton, the reigning WWE Champion, at the prestigious Backlash pay-per-view event.
Leading up to the match, Mahal was portrayed as the ultimate underdog — a man who had struggled throughout his WWE career but now had a chance to break through the glass ceiling. His character, heavily influenced by his Indian heritage, was a perfect foil to Orton’s all-American “legend killer” persona, creating a compelling storyline that captured the audience’s attention.
The Shocking Victory
When the bell rang at Backlash 2017, few could have predicted that Jinder Mahal would leave the arena as the WWE Champion. Orton, a multiple-time world champion, was the clear favorite going into the match. However, Mahal had a trick up his sleeve. With interference from the Singh Brothers (Sunil and Samir Singh), who served as his personal lackeys, Mahal was able to secure a shocking victory, defeating Randy Orton and capturing the WWE Championship for the very first time.
The moment Mahal secured the pinfall was a game-changer in WWE history. The crowd erupted in disbelief as the “Modern Day Maharaja” stood tall, holding the coveted championship belt above his head. His win was met with mixed reactions from fans, with some celebrating the underdog’s triumph while others were left questioning the decision. Nonetheless, Mahal’s victory was undeniable proof that anything could happen in the world of professional wrestling.
A Historic Title Run
Jinder Mahal’s reign as WWE Champion was historic not just because of the shock value of his victory, but also because of the unique path he took to get there. As the first-ever WWE Champion of Indian descent, Mahal broke new ground and added significant diversity to WWE’s representation of world champions. His title reign lasted for 170 days, a run that saw him defend the championship against several top-tier opponents, including Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, and AJ Styles.
During his title reign, Mahal’s character was elevated to new heights. He became a despised villain, flaunting his title and his wealth while claiming that he was the rightful ruler of WWE. His persona was heavily built around his Indian heritage, which added a fresh and culturally rich layer to the product. Mahal’s use of the Singh Brothers as his sidekicks helped cement his position as a heel and played a key role in his title defenses.
Although Mahal’s championship reign was eventually cut short by AJ Styles, who defeated him in November 2017, his legacy as the WWE Champion remains significant. His victory in May 2017 solidified him as one of the most surprising champions in WWE history and proved that hard work and perseverance could lead to success, no matter how improbable it seemed.
Jinder Mahal’s Impact on WWE
Jinder Mahal’s win was a transformative moment for WWE. Not only did it showcase that WWE was willing to take risks with their title picture, but it also helped bring a sense of international flavor to the promotion. Mahal’s success helped open the door for more wrestlers from diverse backgrounds to be given top opportunities, and his reign as WWE Champion proved that WWE’s audience could embrace non-American wrestlers in the main event.
Additionally, Mahal’s victory signaled the company’s willingness to go beyond the traditional American-centric storylines and embrace characters with global appeal. As WWE expanded its reach into international markets, having champions like Jinder Mahal who represented different cultures was not only smart from a business perspective, but it also helped attract new audiences around the world.
The Legacy of Jinder Mahal
While Jinder Mahal’s title run may not have been as long as some of WWE’s other legendary reigns, it still left a lasting impact. His triumph over Randy Orton remains one of the most unexpected and thrilling moments in WWE history, and his story serves as an inspiration to underdogs everywhere.
For fans who witnessed his journey from a jobber to a champion, Mahal’s victory was a reminder that success in WWE isn’t always determined by who the fans expect to win. Sometimes, the most unlikely of champions can emerge from the shadows and capture the spotlight, just as Mahal did in 2017.
Despite being somewhat underutilized in the years since his title reign, Jinder Mahal continues to be a key figure in WWE. His influence extends beyond just the title belt he held — his rise to the top proves that with determination, reinvention, and a little bit of luck, anything is possible in the world of professional wrestling.
May 21, 2017, was a day that fans of professional wrestling will never forget. Jinder Mahal’s shocking victory over Randy Orton to become the WWE Champion was a moment that defied expectations and marked a new chapter in WWE history. As the “Modern Day Maharaja” raised the WWE Championship high above his head, he not only shocked the world but also inspired countless fans by proving that anything is possible in WWE.
Eight years later, Jinder Mahal’s legacy remains intact, and his improbable journey to the top continues to inspire the next generation of WWE Superstars. Whether you loved or hated his title reign, there’s no denying the lasting impact of his victory, and how it serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of WWE.