Some people noticed that Jinder Mahal did not appear on SmackDown Live only a few days after retaining the WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura at WWE Hell in a Cell . The reason for his absence is that he’s been in New Delhi promoting the upcoming Tour of India that WWE will have in December. It has been announced that Jinder Mahal will be defending the WWE Title against Kevin Owens during the tour.
Kevin Owens is coming off a massive victory over Shane McMahon and has reunited with Sami Zayn, who’s in the early days of a heel turn. There is some speculation about Owens and Zayn feuding against AJ Styles and Shane O’Mac heading into WWE Survivor Series . It’s also being rumored that Jinder Mahal will battle the WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at the show as well. Therefore, any big plans for the Mahal vs. Owens feud to come to SmackDown Live will have to wait until after WWE Survivor Series in November.
It’s possible their feud will only be featured for WWE’s India tour and won’t transition to WWE television, but that may create an interesting dynamic for the WWE Universe to figure out. In India, Jinder Mahal will be the top babyface heading into those shows this December. Kevin Owens is a great heel opponent for him because he will ensure that Jinder gets a strong babyface reaction, but WWE officials may be forced to turn Mahal into a babyface on SmackDown Live if they want to bring his rivalry with Owens to WWE television.
The possibility of “The Modern Day Maharaja” turning babyface has been discussed before, but it was more of a hypothetical. Mahal has been one of the strongest heels for SmackDown Live since winning the WWE Championship, but WWE officials may want a full babyface turn for him based on how he’s received during the India tour in December. If current plans go according to plan, Sami Zayn could become a strong heel on SmackDown Live , which means the powers that be would balance the roster by turning Mahal babyface.
On the other hand, Jinder Mahal has found great success as a heel in the United States and WWE officials may not want to rock the boat for him heading into WrestleMania season. On paper, he would only need to turn babyface if the feud with Kevin Owens moves to WWE television or if the powers that be find another way to make the Mahal vs. Owens rivalry happen, but it seems a major change for Jinder Mahal is possible.
[Featured Image by WWE]
