10 unexpected WWE World Champions

#4 Jinder Mahal

Mahal stole Orton’s belt before legitimately beating him for it at Backlash

Taking absolutely nothing away from Mahal’s momentous achievement, it is fair to say that Jinder resides on a rostrum alongside the most unexpected WWE Champions of all time. Just a few short months ago, “The Modern Day Maharaja” was languishing at the bottom of the card over on Monday Night RAW.

Suddenly, after the Superstar Shake Up took effect and transferred Mahal to Smackdown Live, his stock began to skyrocket. Becoming the Number 1 contender in surprising fashion after pinning Sami Zayn during a 6-Pack Challenge, he followed this up with a short feud with Randy Orton during which he emerged victorious at Backlash to claim his first WWE title of any description.

The addition of The Singh Brothers (formerly The Bollywood Boyz) to Mahal’s act have made him appear more of a big deal, as their appearances only serve to cast fans minds back to Seth Rollins’ lengthy first WWE Title reign, during which he also had two, undersized guys to deploy as security.

Whatever becomes of Jinder’s reign, he will forever be remembered as once of the most shocking WWE Champions in history.