AJ Styles ends Indian Mahal’s championship reign

AJ Styles has defeated Jinder Mahal for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in SmackDown Live’s main event clash at Manchester, England.

Styles ended Mahal’s six-month reign as WWE Champion after a Phenomenal Forearm got the three count. The match, which went on for almost 20 minutes, defending champion from Indian earned the early advantage over the phenomenal one.

HIS FOOT IS ON THE ROPE! @AJStylesOrg is STILL in this after an excruciating #Khallas from @JinderMahal! #SDLive #WWETitle @SinghBrosWWE pic.twitter.com/R782LP3h1J

— WWE (@WWE) November 8, 2017

Power moves from Mahal kept Styles grounded, including a rough slam on the announce table. Styles gained control after he tossed Mahal over the top rope and followed it with a Phenomenal Forearm on the outside. A 450 splash from Styles back inside nearly got a three count before the Singh Brothers pulled their man away from harm.

Simply #Phenomenal. #PhenomenalForearm #SDLive #WWETitle @AJStylesOrg @JinderMahal @SinghBrosWWE pic.twitter.com/pVWmcDp7Rh

— WWE (@WWE) November 8, 2017

With the Singh Brothers down and out, Styles worked his way into a wicked Phenomenal Forearm and he ended Mahal’s run at the top of SmackDown.

EXCLUSIVE: The @WWEUniverse in Manchester was ready to party all night with the brand-new @WWE Champion @AJStylesOrg! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/WyyaOQySg2

— WWE (@WWE) November 8, 2017

It was the first time in 15 years that WWE Championship changed hands on SmackDown and it is also the first time the title changed hands outside of North American soil. The victory over Mahal booked AJ for the dream match against the Beast Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series pay-per-view.

. @BrockLesnar vs @AJStylesOrg @WWE #SurvivorSeries #ChampionvsChampion
Meanwhile, over on #Instagram - https://t.co/XXdXTYNAB7 pic.twitter.com/thZRjCLicD

— Paul Heyman (@HeymanHustle) November 8, 2017