Seth Rollins won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia. He went on to carry that title for 234 days, until he met Jinder Mahal in Little Rock, Arkansas on RAW for a much-hyped title match.
Seth Rollins vs Jinder Mahal
Jinder Mahal gained a lot of attention since stepping up to Seth Rollins for his WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The Modern Day Maharaja was after the title to reclaim a top spot in WWE.
Is this @JinderMahal's night to become WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION?
Find out up next on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/ET9HWK04vr
— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2024
This match was significant as well, because it revisited history. Seth Rollins vs Jinder Mahal was the match to decide the first-ever NXT Champion, a contest that Rollins won in 2012. They did not bring this match up on commentary, because it ended in the same way.
Indus Sher, Veer and Sanga, accompanied Jinder Mahal to the ring for his match, and they made their presence felt early in the match as they distracted Rollins. This allowed Mahal to start the match off with an advantage.
LOOK WHO JUST SHOWED UP! ?#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/tJcn0JFScK
— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2024
The match continued for a bit, and then Damian Priest emerged from the back, with his Money in the Bank briefcase in tow, right before they cut to commercial. Eventually, Drew McIntyre interrupted Priest from cashing in, and they brawled away. Those two will battle on RAW next week on January 22nd in New Orleans during the go-home RAW before the Royal Rumble.
?????????#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/GpayaxBs8a
— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2024
In the end, Indus Sher were ejected from ringside after Mahal nearly cheated to win the match. Seth Rollins then retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship after nailing a Stomp. That is the same move that put Mahal away 12 years ago in NXT.
What’s Next For Seth Rollins
WWE kicked off the year with a World Heavyweight Championship contest during the Day 1 episode of RAW. For that match, Drew McIntyre’s bid for the title fell short. Defeating the Modern Day Maharaja marks Rollins’ second successful title defense this year.
Seth Rollins is not presently booked to defend his title at the Royal Rumble. After beating Mahal this week in Little Rock, we will have to see if Rollins will defend his title at Tropicana Field.
