WWE Predictions: Jinder Mahal Could Defend Title Against Sami Zayn, John Cena, Shinsuke Nakamura

A WWE Championship reign for Jinder Mahal seemed to be a near impossibility as recently as WrestleMania 33, but that’s the current state of affairs on “SmackDown Live.” Now that Mahal has taken the belt from Randy Orton at WWE Backlash 2017, it’s time to take a look at who will get the next title shot.

Orton is the obvious choice for Mahal’s first title defense, given that the 13-time world champion will exercise his rematch clause. Mahal’s list of potential opponents for his next WWE Championship Match, however, are limited. Assuming he defeats Orton and moves on to a new feud to start the summer, John Cena, Shinsuke Nakamura and Sami Zayn might be the most likely WWE superstars to get a shot at the belt within the upcoming months.

READ: Jinder Mahal Beats Randy Orton, Highlighting WWE Backlash 2017 Results

The next “SmackDown Live” pay-per-view is set for June 18 with Money in the Bank. That’s followed by Battleground on July 23 and SummerSlam on Aug. 20 in Brooklyn. SummerSlam will include wrestlers from both the blue brand and “Monday Night Raw.”

Because Mahal is a heel, half of the “SmackDown Live” roster can be eliminated as potential challengers. Kevin Owens, Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler are biggest heels on the blue brand, and none of them have a chance to turn babyface anytime soon. It looked like Rusev was going to get a WWE Championship opportunity at Money in the Bank, but that idea has likely gone out the window with Jinder’s victory.

Aside from Orton, the top babyfaces that had matches at Backlash were Nakamura and Zayn. Both wrestlers picked up big wins, and it wouldn’t be out of the question for them to fight for the WWE Championship in the near future.

Giving Nakamura a WWE Title shot at Battleground probably wouldn’t make sense. He’s only had one PPV match on the main roster, and he should have a better build for his first championship match. That could leave Zayn getting his shot at the No.1 belt in two months.

Zayn had a big win at Backlash by beating Corbin, who many have considered to be the favorite to win the Money in the Bank briefcase. If he’s able to get another victory on “SmackDown Live,” or even at Money in the Bank when Mahal defends the title against Orton, he could be in for a championship shot.

Cena is easily the top star on “SmackDown Live,” though he hasn’t been on TV since WrestleMania 33. It’s unknown exactly when he’ll return, though he’s almost certain to be near the top of the SummerSlam card. If Mahal is able to get over as heel in the next few months, don’t be surprised if Mahal vs. Cena for the WWE Championship takes place at Barclays Center.

AJ Styles is the most popular full-time member of the “SmackDown Live” roster, and he could eventually have a match with Mahal. It probably won’t happen before SummerSlam, considering he’s still locked in a feud with Owens for the United States Championship.

If Mahal has the belt long enough, he’ll face Styles before 2017 comes to an end.