Backlash 2017 Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal

In a stunning turn of events, one of SmackDown LIVE’s newest threats, Jinder Mahal, earned the right to challenge WWE Champion Randy Orton at WWE Backlash.

Yes, one week after joining the blue brand as part of the Superstar Shake-up, Mahal overcame Dolph Ziggler, Sami Zayn, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan and Mojo Rawley in an explosive WWE Championship No. 1 Contender’s Six-Pack Challenge – thanks in part to some surprising help from The Singh Brothers, also known as The Bollywood Boyz.

Now, as he prepares for his first title match in WWE, The Maharajah, who poses a very real threat to WWE’s Apex Predator, is no doubt hungry to prove his glory.

But will Orton be whole by the time the May 21 pay-per-view rolls around? There is no denying that Orton’s serpentine intensity has reached a new level since he captured his 13th World Title at WrestleMania, but The Viper must contend with Bray Wyatt in a House of Horrors showdown before he can square off with Mahal.

With such an uncertain storm on the horizon, will Randy Orton even be ready to face The Maharajah? Is there nothing to fear but The New Face of Fear itself? Or, when the smoke clears, will Jinder Mahal be wearing the WWE Title around his waist?