WWE Title Match Set For Extreme Rules, SmackDown Star Signs New Multi-Year Contract With WWE

— Ahead of tonight’s episode of SmackDown LIVE, WWE confirmed a WWE Championship Match for Extreme Rules on July 14.

Kofi Kingston will defend the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe at the pay-per-view event,. Their program began on Raw last night, with Joe attacking Kingston and putting him in the Coquina Clutch after Kingston defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in separate singles matches.

WWE also posted a video where Dolph Ziggler appears unhappy about Kingston’s title defense against Joe.

— Jinder Mahal has signed a new five-year contract with WWE, according to a report by Pro Wrestling Sheet.

Mahal, who is 32 years old, returned to WWE in July 2016 for his second stint with the sports-entertainment organization. Given the time frame of his return, his current contract likely would have expired next month since WWE generally signed talent to three-year deals back then. WWE has been trying to sign talent with expiring deals to five-year contracts as of late.

Mahal’s second stint has included multiple title reigns, including a surprising WWE Championship run over the course of 2017. Most recently, Mahal has been part of the contingent of WWE Superstars battling for the 24/7 Championship, which he won twice this month.