Please don't hinder Jinder

Jinder Mahal wins the gold
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Big night for WWE fans. I woke up this morning to social media feeds celebrating Jinder Mahal's WWE Championship win. I was mildly surprised he beat Randy Orton for the title because I don't bet against Orton usually, especially since he lost to Bray Wyatt a few weeks ago. However, Mahal won not only his first championship in WWE, but his first ever pay per view match (I read that somewhere, but I don't know if it's true and I don't have the time to research it, sorry.)

Mahal's rise to the top of the SmackDown Live roster has been unconventional, to say the least. He was released from WWE in 2014 but came back last year after the brand split and didn't do much to impress me at the time. He had a mini-alliance with Rusev and Lana. I actually liked the pairing, but they broke up and Rusev ended up getting hurt. I'll be the first to admit I was surprised when Mahal won the challenge to become the number one contender.

Mahal vs. Orton
Courtesy: WWE

But I didn't hate the notion by any means. WWE needs youth and freshness to survive. Mahal has both of those qualities. There's speculation he's in his spot because of the company's plans to expand into India. I simply say, "so what?" That could be a factor in the decision, but I find it laughable when some fans say it's the reason why. Others are pissy that he looks so much bigger than before and is not being tested for the Wellness Policy. Unless you're an insider with WWE and have proof, leave those claims at the door.

While I'm happy for Mahal, I must say I fear WWE Creative will hinder Jinder. Chad texted me earlier and said he hopes Orton doesn't regain the championship Tuesday night on SDL. I hadn't even considered that. Taking the belt away now would reek of the crappy reign Jack Swagger had. The company never fully got behind him. The same could be said for Wyatt's quick run. I'm hoping history doesn't repeat itself and Jinder can continue to grow in the eyes of the WWE Universe. This could also mean big opportunities for the Singh 

Backlash 2017 preview

Orton vs. Mahal
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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My TV consumption has dropped significantly in the last week or so. Our rabbit chewed the cord to our DirecTV router, so I missed Raw & SmackDown Live and hadn't finished watching the previous week's shows either. So I'm a bit disconnected but have been keeping tabs online. That being said, here are some quick thoughts on Backlash. And sorry I'm neglecting NXT: Takeover, as I haven't tuned into the program in a while either.  Too many side projects going on... but I digress.

Randy Orton will retain the WWE Championship. I don't think the feud with Jinder Mahal is over yet and with rumors swirling that WWE wants to give him a big push I won't be surprised if he wins the belt, but I fear they're also gearing up Baron Corbin for a run against Orton.

That being said, Corbin will beat Sami Zayn. Then I and half the IWC will scowl.

Breezango will win the WWE Tag Team Titles. I can't believe I just typed that, but they seem to be over like rover right now and why not give them a chance?

Kevin Owens will retain the U.S. Title against AJ Styles. Had they not hot potatoed the belt with Owens and Jericho recently, I would have figured Styles for the win. I still think AJ will win the match, just not the belt.

Nakamura will beat Dolph Ziggler. But I could see this ending with Dolph winning to throw a swerve at the fans and piss off most of the IWC. (For the record, I'm a big Dolph Ziggler fan still.)
Luke Harper will beat Erik Rowan in a 50/50 booking match.

The Welcoming Committee will beat Naomi, Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch, hopefully after Charlotte turns on her partners.

Tye Dillinger will beat Aiden English.

New attitude, new look

New 'tude, new look
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Many times when a wrestler goes from "good" to "bad" or vice versa their attitude obviously changes, but more often than not, their look stays the same. But the recent change of heart by Jimmy and Jey Uso came with a wardrobe revamp. I must say I like it.

Courtesy: WWE

The Usos first came to WWE as heels in 2010. I don't know how much time passed, but eventually the brothers become fun loving Samoans who started painting their faces. In addition to the colorful face paint, the duo also added brightly colored gear to their attire. They truly embraced being good guys.

Courtesy: WWE

Recently though Jimmy and Jey took out their frustrations on American Alpha. When they appeared for the first time after the change of heart, the twins wore black tights, white shoes and white hoodies to the ring. The makeup was gone. I must say I liked the look.

I realize changing the looks of Superstars every time they change their attitude isn't always feasible. Many of the Superstars have been branded with a certain look. There's a lot of money wrapped up in merchandising. But I think WWE has really done it right with the Usos. I think their turn and the change in looks that have come with it is exactly what this tag team needed.

I was wrong about AJ's victory

AJ wins the gold
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Last week I wrote about AJ Styles NOT winning the WWE World Championship over the weekend at Backlash. Of course he did the exact opposite and beat Dean Ambrose for the championship. Good for AJ, years of hard work around the world has paid off with the ultimate prize in the wrestling business.

In my post last week I stated AJ would win the belt before the end of the year, I just didn't think Sunday night was the right time for it. My reasonings may have been weak, including the crownings of first time tag team and women's champions. My fear was an AJ title win would get lost in the shuffle. Plus I wanted Ambrose to have a little more time on the top of the mountain. 

AJ in motion
Courtesy: WWE

But clearly I was wrong and I'm cool with that. AJ's victory, although not "clean", was well-deserved. Up until SummerSlam I wondered if Styles would be one of the Superstars added to the list of guys who never won "the big one" while in WWE. I'm glad that is no longer the case.

Becky Lynch wins!
Courtesy: WWE

While my pick was wrong in the main event, I did nail the tag team title match with Rhyno and Heath Slater winning and I wavered between Becky Lynch and Natalya winning the new women's title. I'm satisfied that a deserving Becky is champ. I'm not going to lie, I worry about the future for Bray Wyatt. While Kane is no chump, Bray needed a win Sunday night more than the Big Red Machine. The Miz continues to shine and is quickly moving onto my shortlist of Wrestler of the Year for the Centy Awards. Yeah, I said it...

The future looks bright for the SmackDown Live brand. I'm excited to see what happens next with AJ, Becky, The Miz, Rhyno & Slater all holding the belts.

AJ is ready... but don't give him the belt

AJ wants the belt
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I know members of the Internet Wrestling Community may be losing their minds at the headline on this post. AJ Styles is more than ready and deserving of a run as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. BUT this Sunday at Backlash isn't the time to do a title change. 

I'm not a huge fan of playing hot potato with championships, especially the world title. WWE has done a good job establishing the New Day and The Miz as champions. Dean Ambrose, despite having the belt a couple of months, still needs some time with the gold. This match Sunday shouldn't be a one-and-done and AJ gets the title. 

Courtesy: WWE

Chad and I talk more about the reasons behind this on this week's podcast. I'm a fan of both guys and won't be disappointed either way. SummerSlam proved AJ is really ready for the main event picture (even though he was arguably already there prior to the event). But with the crowning of a new Women's Champion and Tag Team Champions for SmackDown Live; another switch could potentially get lost in the shuffle.

I'd save the switch for the December event and have a rematch ready to go at the Royal Rumble. This will give Ambrose a few more months on top and time to build the story to December. Survivor Series could feature them either on opposing teams or part of Team SmackDown Live vs. Team Raw. But who knows what the company has planned for that show.

Long story short, his time is coming. There's no reason to rush it.