Jinder Mahal reveals last-minute decision for WWE Championship win, originally planned for Rusev

Jinder Mahal has revealed surprising details about his WWE Championship win at Backlash 2017. In an interview, Mahal explained that he was not originally planned to face Randy Orton for the title. The initial challenger was supposed to be Rusev, but an injury forced a change of plans. Mahal and Orton both believed their match would be a one-time event, with Rusev expected to return and challenge for the championship later.

Mahal disclosed that he only learned about his championship victory on the day of the event. He noticed a shift in betting odds, with smart money suddenly favoring him despite being a massive underdog earlier. The decision to make Mahal champion was made last-minute, catching both wrestlers off guard. Interestingly, Chris Jericho shared a similar experience, mentioning that he too found out about his Undisputed WWE Championship win on the day of his match at Vengeance 2001, where he defeated both Steve Austin and The Rock.

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