As of the time of writing, the oddsmakers have AJ Styles a -155 favourite to get a decision over Jinder Mahal.
A victory for the champion will pay out at odds of +115.
The bout will take place during the episode of Smackdown that will be taped from the Manchester Arena tomorrow evening.
Originally, AJ Styles was scheduled to wrestle Rusev on the show. However, a couple of days after last week's episode of Smackdown, WWE announced that Styles will challenge Jinder Mahal for the strap. If successful, Styles will then go on to face Brock Lesnar at the Survivor Series on November 19th.
Jinder Mahal was due to travel as WWE Champion on Raw's tour of India which begins in thirty-two days. We'll find out soon enough if this is still the case.
This market will pay out on the winner of the match. Prices correct as of 12pm GMT today.
I originally picked a DQ finish Because I thought Raw roster would attack AJ since WJ and Shane brought whole Smackdown roster to attack Raw guys on their own show
ReplyDeleteBut I realized Raw has a house show in different city on Tuesday
With Cena as special guest referee, Mahal has more chances to retain the title right ?? What do you think
Cena is guest referee of the Survivor Series match where neither title is on the line. So, whoever is champion on November 19th will still be champ coming out.
DeleteNo, I mean cena as special guest referee makes sense if Mahal is Champion, I mean mahal - Cena is rumored for Mania
ReplyDeleteI wrote about Cena being a ref making sense This Post a few days before they announced Mahal .vs. AJ.
DeleteIf the plan is Mahal vs Cena for Mania, it makes sense.
If Mahal isn't wrestling at the Survivor Series, it doesn't make sense.
Need to ask why they've switched from AJ v Rusev to Mahal vs AJ and have been teasing a match (Lesnar v AJ) that the consensus would prefer over Lesnar vs Mahal, though.
Either to boost the ratings since it's a taped show and last week's ratings were poor although it was haloween and it was up against world series or WWE decided Mahal - Lesnar isn't big enough for survivor series main event
ReplyDeleteBut did a title ever changed on a taped show ?
There could be other reasons why they've switched the match, but I'll ask this seeing as you've brought one idea up.
DeleteIf it's a reaction to poor ratings, what would a title match on a pre-taped show do if the result comes out and it doesn't involve a title change?
There have been titles changed on a taped show before. First one that comes to mind is Mick Foley's first world title win. However it isn't frequent.
It isn't ticket related because the show has sold out.
DeleteStoryline related - could be an inconclusive finish with ref bumps etc that would lead to Cena being announced for the ref spot.
DeleteInjury related - Jinder's shoulder might still be hurt and therefore they have to put the belt on AJ because Mahal can't really do a Lesnar-style match.
DeleteThe India Tour is on December 8th, so Mahal would have thirty days to get ready for it if he loses the title tomorrow.
DeleteI don't think Mahal is that injured where he cannot participate at survivor series. He had been working 18 minute matches for the past 5 days and he looks comfortable
ReplyDeleteMy guess is either title change or like you said, referee bumps which leads to WWE making Cena as special guest referee so that Mahal cannot take short cuts at Survivor Series
If there is no reason for Mahal not to be in the match, then he should be in it on November 19th because they've spent weeks building to it.
DeleteTrue, I think Mahal Winning here makes sense if Cena is referee but again sudden change of Styles - Rusev to Styles - Mahal makes me wonder whether WWE changed their main event
ReplyDeleteMy guess is still Mahal - Lesnar and AJ as 5th member of team Smackdown
All will come clear in the next couple of days.
DeleteThis is so bizarre, from to the way it was announced, Styles already having a different match advertised, AJ beating Jinder clean on house shows, that it's a taped show, the rumors about Mahal's shoulder...there's something smelly about it. I certainly hope AJ wins, but I think, David, your theory about there being some sort of ref bump-related inconclusive finish creating the need for Cena at Survivor Series is most likely. I'll have a go at Mahal +115.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, but I wouldn't have placed that bet!
DeleteAn inconclusive finish to me means not worth having a bet just to be on the safe side.
I actually waited, but had to have a tiny crack at Mahal +155. Nothing outlandish, I won't be taking out a second mortgage, haha. Mahal tends to win his matches via pinfall, even when he cheats, and I don't think they mind if AJ eats the pin. We shall see!
DeleteWith Roman out of the Survivor Series, I think AJ will be in men's Elimination match to balance that star power
DeleteI am picking Mahal now too
A lot can happen in a week.
DeleteI mean they added Asuka to raw team , so I think raw Women's team wins and lesnar wins so I think Smackdown will win Elimination chamber with AJ as sole survivor
DeleteThese are just my predictions though
Well 20 comments, this match change really has people talking as intended.
ReplyDeleteAny chance for Jinder Mahal to lose the title will get people talking, haha. Either makes him the best heel they've had in forever or a disaster costing them eyeballs. Probably a bit of both!
DeleteLooks to me like Reigns will be back next week and it's going to be The Shield versus The New Day at the Survivor Series.
ReplyDeleteJust a prediction though.
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