Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal recently provided a candid and exclusive insight into the long-standing rumors that Brock Lesnar refused to wrestle him at the 2017 Survivor Series event. In an interview with Inside The Ropes, Mahal dispelled much of the speculation around a planned champion vs. champion showdown that seemingly never materialized due to behind-the-scenes dynamics.
The Planned WWE Champion vs. Universal Champion Clash
Back in late 2017, the WWE landscape was buzzing with a potential non-title, brand vs. brand match between WWE Champion Jinder Mahal and Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series. This match promised to pit two heel champions against each other: Mahal as the WWE champion and Lesnar as the dominant Universal champion.
Mahal explained the complications involved with booking such a high-profile match, noting, “Brock’s the heel. I’m a heel. I don’t know how we’re going to do this match… Is he going to turn babyface for the night? Are people going to cheer him? I don’t know who’s going to go over. We’re both champions. I don’t know”[1]. These uncertainties complicated creative decisions regarding the storyline direction.
Title Loss During WWE European Tour Changed Plans
Mahal revealed that the plans for the Lesnar match dramatically changed during a WWE European tour just weeks before the pay-per-view. He was originally slated to fly back early from the tour to participate in a promotional segment with Lesnar on Raw. However, Mahal ended up dropping the WWE Championship to AJ Styles in Manchester, which altered the Survivor Series landscape entirely.
He recounted, “I found out the day of [the Manchester show] that I’m going to be dropping the title to AJ”[1]. According to Mahal, the title change felt abrupt even the timing and details were communicated on the day of the match. He described the moment vividly: “Basically, I get to TV and I see Michael Hayes, and he tells me, ‘Hey, go to Vince’s office.’ AJ gets summoned into Vince’s office… me and Vince are shooting about bodybuilding… AJ comes in”[1].
Addressing the Brock Lesnar “Refusal” Rumors
One of the most persistent rumors following these events was that Brock Lesnar outright refused to work with Jinder Mahal at Survivor Series, which reportedly led WWE to pull the match from the show and force Mahal to drop the title earlier than expected.
However, Mahal firmly denied that Lesnar refused to wrestle him. He explained that the decision to change the Survivor Series plans was more a result of timing and creative direction rather than backstage conflict. According to Mahal, the idea of Lesnar refusing to work with him is an exaggeration or a misunderstanding that spiraled into a widespread rumor.
A WWE insider corroborated this perspective, stating, “Lesnar is a professional who has worked with many different types of wrestlers. The decision to scrap the match wasn’t based on personal issues but creative adjustments made late in the year” (source close to WWE creative).
The Complexity of Booking Two Champions
Multiple wrestling analysts and insiders note that booking a match between two top champions who both maintain strong heel personas can be inherently problematic. Creating a compelling narrative generally requires a clear hero and villain dynamic, and mixing two dominant heels potentially confuses the audience.
This complexity was evident in Mahal’s comments and revealed the nuanced challenges WWE’s creative team faced at the time. Survivor Series 2017 finally proceeded without the Mahal-Lesnar match, and AJ Styles went on to have a prominent role in the event.
Jinder Mahal’s 2017 Title Reign: A Whirlwind Journey
Jinder Mahal’s 2017 WWE Championship reign remains one of the most surprising title runs in recent history, given his previous undercard status. Mahal ascended rapidly, capturing the WWE Title in May 2017 and bringing international attention as a champion of Indian descent.
Speaking on his rise, Mahal reflected on the whirlwind nature: “It was a blessing but also crazy. Everything happened so fast, and I was learning as I was going”[1]. Despite the brevity of the reign, Mahal’s championship run is still remembered for adding diversity and a fresh storyline to WWE programming.
What the Future Holds for Both Superstars
Both Mahal and Lesnar have continued their respective careers with different trajectories since 2017. Lesnar remains part-time talent and a major draw, known for his size and legitimate athleticism, whereas Mahal has worked on rebuilding his status and refining his character.
Sources inside WWE suggest that while the Mahal-Lesnar clash never happened in 2017, there remains interest in revisiting potential high-profile matches between top stars, depending on storyline needs.