This Sunday at Payback, WWE Champion Randy Orton will defend his title against Bray Wyatt in a House of Horrors match.

That challenge has just become a lot more challenging however since he is no longer in possession of his title belt.

A stolen title

Titles have been stolen in WWE before, but now the most prestigious title in the company has been taken as Jinder Mahal stole the title belt during Tuesday's Smackdown.

SIGN UP NOW

Will Randy Orton get his title belt back? Have your say by signing up now to become a GMS writer: http://gms.to/haveyoursay4

Orton faced one of Wyatt's former disciples Erick Rowan on Smackdown and after gaining the win, he tried to address his clash with Wyatt on Sunday.

That was when he confronted by his opponent for Backlash - presuming Orton is able to retain his title on Sunday.

Mahal earned himself a title match at Backlash after winning a #1 contenders six pack challenge on last week's Smackdown.

Mahal would confront Orton on Tuesday night and would end up doing something that has not been done before - he would steal the WWE title belt.

Mahal and the Singh Brothers would beat the champion down before the #1 contender would pick up the title and leave the arena.

Seen during the commercial break to be riding away from the arena with the belt in his hand, Mahal has now hijacked the Championship.

With the belt having been stolen, it will be interesting to see how Orton appears at Payback as the same championship is supposed to be on the line in the House of Horrors match.

Orton is expected to win on Sunday so a title change is not likely, but with the greatest symbol of success in the WWE now in the hands of Jinder Mahal, will the Viper be looking for revenge next week?

New Challengers emerging

While Mahal has already secured his title match at Backlash and Wyatt will get his chance at the belt this Sunday, other contenders are quickly emerging.

Tonight on Smackdown, the Bulgarian Brute Rusev made his first appearance since being traded from RAW, it may not have been in person but he had a big demand.

Rusev revealed that he hasn't appeared live on Smackdown because he doesn't like the hierarchy on the show.

Rusev revealed that he will not appear on the show unless he is given a WWE Championship match at Money in the Bank.

If Rusev gets his wish, that will be three possible contenders for Orton's title over the next three months - not to mention the expected challenge from Baron Corbin in the coming months.