It’s been talked about for a while - and rumored as reason why the WWE title remains around Jinder Mahal’s waist - but it looks like the company’s first live shows in India since January 2016 (which were the first in 14 years) will finally be officially announced this week.
Wrestling Observer has details, and WWE executive Triple H is headed to Mumbai for an appearance that will surely include the news:
Just landed in London....Thanks for the light show during my entrance to the U.K.
— Triple H (@TripleH) October 1, 2017
Leave tomorrow for Mumbai, top that India. pic.twitter.com/QWOUDi8GHd
According to The Observer, the two WWE Live events will take place in New Dehli’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. SmackDown’s Mahal will be a headliner on what will otherwise be Raw shows; the other featured names are Roman Reigns and Finn Bálor, along with Braun Strowman, Alexa Bliss, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, The Miz, Sasha Banks, and Bayley. Tickets for the Dec. 8 - 9 shows are already on sale in India, with prices ranging from $26 - $535 (U.S.).
WWE’s been focused on growing their presence in one of the world’s largest markets, with Mahal’s title reign, the start of a weekly television show specific to India and these tour dates as key components of their expansion strategy.
Will it continue to play a part in how SmackDown’s championship picture is booked?
We’re about to find out.