5 possible storylines for Jinder Mahal's return to WWE

Former WWE Champion, Jinder Mahal, has not been seen on WWE since he underwent surgery for the knee injury he picked up at a live event on 15th June. The first-ever WWE Champion of Indian descent, however, has now been cleared to make his in-ring return and given that we are on the Road to WrestleMania 36, the fans can expect him to come back soon.

In case you did not know, Mahal was rumored to enter the 2020 Men’s Royal Rumble match but the Creative did not book his grand return in the 30-man bout. The last time Mahal wrestled a WWE match on TV was way back at WWE Super Showdown. He was one of the fifty men who took part in the mega battle royale match in Saudi Arabia.

With the former United States Champion set to return soon, here are five storylines for him.

---

#5 Costs Andrade the Tuwaiq Trophy, starts a US Title feud

Jinder Mahal can enter a mid-card title feud

Two years ago, the Modern Day Maharaja exited WrestleMania as the new United States Champion however, he did not get a proper reign with the title. He soon lost the championship to Jeff Hardy, while the two Superstars could not entertain the fans much with their feud because they were on different brands.

As the current US Champion, Andrade lacks a credible opponent, WWE can insert Mahal in the mid-card title picture when he returns. He has good mic skills and his involvement can even freshen up the US championship picture on RAW. The best way WWE could start this feud is by having Jinder return at WWE Super Showdown during the inaugural Tuwaiq Trophy match.

AJ Styles is the favorite to win that gauntlet match as WWE Creative would look to provide him with some momentum ahead of his rumored match against The Undertaker. But, as Andrade is holding a championship at the moment, a pinfall or submission in Saudi Arabia will impact on his credibility. The best way to take him out of the match will be to have Jinder show up out of nowhere and attack the US Champion.

This would not only turn Andrade face but also set up a fresh US title match for WrestleMania 36.

#4 Forms an Indian faction, confronts the Monday Night Messiah and co.

Jinder Mahal had the Singh Brothers by his side

Looking at the current situation on RAW, it seems like WWE Creative has used up all its ideas in the rivalry between the factions of Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins. The groups have fought versus each other in different permutations and combinations with Rollins and co. taking the win on a majority of occasions.

The feud has not been well received by the fans hence, WWE may look to end this angle soon. Despite introducing The Street Profits in the mix, it is likely that the Monday Night Messiah’s clan will reign supreme with or without the tag team titles after WWE Super Showdown.

As it has been a long time since the fans witnessed a faction war at WrestleMania, WWE could book one this year and that match should not include makeshift groups like the one between Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and The Viking Riders who have just united forces because they have a common enemy.

After Seth Rollins would boast of their unit’s dominance on the RAW after WWE Super Showdown, Jinder Mahal could make his grand comeback, not with the Singh Brothers on his side but the pair of Saurav Gurjar and Rinku Singh. WWE should launch Mahal as a face because the Superstar himself has stated that he would love to explore himself as a babyface character on TV. Also, he has bad blood with Seth Rollins.

Thus, WWE should capitalize on this opportunity, and this move might even help them crack into the Indian market. There could be a WrestleMania match between the two groups which could end crazily with Akam turning on Rollins and showing loyalty to his Indian brothers!

#3 Lands in NXT, creates the same faction

Saurav Gurjar and Rinku Singh are a part of NXT

Perhaps, WWE may hesitate a bit in launching the Indian faction led by Jinder Mahal directly at WrestleMania so, they could send Jinder Mahal to the Black and Yellow brand where he could not only showcase his ‘A’ game but also unite with Saurav Gurjar and Rinku Singh to establish their domination in NXT.

The Undisputed Era is currently ruling the Black and Yellow brand. However, when three giants like Mahal, Gurjar and Singh would join hands with each other, they could give Adam Cole and co. a run for their money. Mahal and co. can even add a fourth member in the future to grow into one of the best factions in NXT history.

Triple H has the vision to take the Superstars to new heights, and earlier the fans had seen how Sanity became a dominant force on WWE’s third brand. Although that group could not achieve much success on the main roster, they had an excellent run in NXT.

WWE could use the Sanity formula once again and even add Kavita Devi to the Indian faction. Just like Nikki Cross was a part of the Eric Young-led clan Devi could combine with her compatriots. Also, this move may increase the popularity of NXT in India, ultimately leading to WWE Network subscriptions for the Takeover events.

#2 Joins with Braun Strowman in the fight against Sami Zayn and co.

Yes, even Braun Strowman needs help!

WWE did not draft Jinder Mahal to any brand during the WWE Draft 2019 so the Modern Day Maharaja could make his return on either brand. Given that he had been an integral part of WWE SmackDown in the past, it is likely that WWE may want him back on the Blue brand.

While if Jinder Mahal comes back to SmackDown, there are only a few options to book him. Either he could enter in a rivalry with the Celtic Warrior, Sheamus, or he can battle with the likes of King Corbin and Robert Roode. The chances that he gets into the Universal Championship feud are low while even the tag team championship picture is stacked at the moment.

So, this leaves WWE with two options. First is to book him in a feud with any of the aforementioned names, or they can book him in the Intercontinental Championship picture. It is unknown who will challenge Braun Strowman next, but the one thing that the fans know is that the Monster needs some backup for his battle with Sami Zayn and co.

He only has Elias on his side right now while Zayn has the quartet of Dash Wilder, Scott Dawson, Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura. Hence, it would be good if WWE bring back Jinder to level the odds on Braun’s side. This rivalry can well establish him as a face Superstar, and then he can probably fight with King Corbin at WrestleMania because he needs a credible opponent for the grandest WWE pay-per-view event.

#1 First challenger for the new WWE Champion Drew McIntyre

Book it, Vince!

The probability that Drew McIntyre walks out of WrestleMania 36 without the WWE Championship around his waist is very low. The Creative team needs to be commended for the way they have booked the 2020 Men’s Royal Rumble winner thus far on the road to WrestleMania 36.

Seeing how he eliminated Brock Lesnar from the Royal Rumble match, it is likely that the Scottish Psychopath will emerge as the new Beast-slayer at WrestleMania and end Lesnar’s reign of terror. Because WWE does not have a Saudi Arabia show after WrestleMania, the Beast Incarnate would not care to show up post the Show of Shows.

So, the new champion may need an opponent and his first rival could be his former 3 MB teammate, Jinder Mahal. In case you missed out on McIntyre’s recent interview, the former RAW tag team champion heaped praises on Mahal, saying that the fans will soon see a new version of the former WWE Champion. Hence, it would be great if Mahal returns and confronts McIntyre on the RAW after WrestleMania.

As Mahal is expected to be back with a new gimmick, even the audiences will embrace this rivalry as both the men have a lot of history together and looking at the physique of the two Superstars, even Vince McMahon would be interested in going ahead with this feud. The Indo-Scot duo could main event WWE’s next PPV post WrestleMania.