Top 5 Unexpected championship matches in WWE History

Modified Jan 13, 2021 20:04 IST

Jerry Lawler dropping The Miz on a ladder during their TLC Match for the WWE Championship

#4 - Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton - WWE Championship

A few years ago, a WWE Championship run for Jinder Mahal was unimaginable. For most of his WWE career, Mahal had been a borderline jobber. He had been relegated to the lower-mid card, and Mahal was also regularly used as comic relief. Mahal seemed like he was destined for a career full of mediocrity.

But his luck dramatically changed in 2017 when he was announced as a competitor in a Six-Pack Challenge Match. The winner of this bout would earn a shot at the WWE Champion, Randy Orton. Mahal's victory absolutely stunned the WWE Universe. The win clinched Mahal's spot in a title match at WWE Backlash.

"@JinderMahal crossed the line, so now I'm prepared to do anything to anyone to get my hands on Jinder!" - @RandyOrton #SDLive pic.twitter.com/sgY0nINBY6
— WWE (@WWE) June 21, 2017

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Every fan in the building expected Orton to win the bout. But when the Singh Brothers interfered, the unthinkable happened. While Orton dealt with the duo, Mahal crept up behind him and connected with the Khallas. He then pinned "The Viper" to win the match and the title. This result stunned everyone in the arena.

Mahal even held the gold for a few months, but his title run is often criticized. Still, no one can ever take this unforgettable victory away from him.

About the author

Zain is a pro wrestling journalist at Sportskeeda, reporting on WWE. He has a Bachelor’s degree in English and is set to pursue a Master's program at Harvard Divinity School later this year, along with having 4 years of experience.

Zain ensures his work is reliable and accurate by verifying the information through multiple credible sources. He aims to provide ample context and details in his articles, creating a pleasant reading experience.

While Edge was a despised villain for the majority of his first run with WWE, Zain loved his commitment to the character. He admired his ability to narrate a compelling story with his subtle moves and actions inside the ring. He believes no one in the business has come close to the Hall of Famer in terms of staying true to their on-screen gimmick.

If Zain were to book an eye-catching WWE angle, he would pit Cody Rhodes against CM Punk. Zain would have Rhodes highlight Punk’s hypocrisy in coming back to the global juggernaut. Their interaction would lead to Punk turning heel and engaging in a high-profile match with The American Nightmare at a Big Four Premium Live Event.

When not writing, Zain loves to read philosophy, play chess, where he has represented his country at the national level.

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Edited by Colin Tessier