Jinder Mahal is soaking it all in with his second go-around in the WWE.
Last May, Jinder Mahal would shock the WWE Universe when he would defeat Randy Orton to become the WWE Champion. In more of a surprise, Jinder would go on to hold that title for six months. While speaking with The Independent, "The Modern Day Maharaja" would reflect on a day in late November, in Manchester; where his reign would come to an end at the hands of the "Phenomenal One", AJ Styles.
“It was the very first time in the history of WWE that the title had changed hands overseas. History was made that night and the match was probably one of the best I’ve ever had. I’ve said this before, but I feel that although I lost, I really won that night. The energy in the arena that night was amazing and AJ Styles really is phenomenal, the fans just love him. I think he might be the number one, top star in WWE in terms of fan reaction because everybody loves him." Jinder added, “Everyone that night was genuinely so happy for him, so it was a little bit bittersweet for me. I was laying on my back on the mat with my eyes closed, listening to the reaction of the crowd and a couple of tears fell in the ring; of happiness as everyone was so pleased for him. It was a very cool moment and it was a moment I’ll never forget.”
While Jinder portrays the heel on WWE TV, there are some who look up to the former WWE Champion. Jinder has a few WWE superstars that he looked up to as well. One in particular being the late great, former WWE Intercontinental Champion, Davey Boy Smith Sr., who Mahal feels deserves a spot in the WWE Hall Of Fame
“He had a great, storied career. From tagging with The Dynamite Kid, to breaking out on his own, his career had a great evolution. He started in Stampede Wrestling in Calgary for Stu Hart and before that had been training in England before being brought in with Dynamite, and of course that classic, classic match against Bret Hart at Summerslam. That’s one of my all-time favorite matches. He’s just a great, great superstar in the history of WWE, so I don’t think it is a matter of if he’ll be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but when he’ll become a member.”
In June of 2014, WWE would announce that Jinder Mahal had been released from his contract. Mahal has stated in numerous interviews that he had considered retiring from the sport after his release and dive into other business ventures. But instead, Mahal worked on his physique, improved his diet and returned to WWE with a physique that seemingly was one of the reasons for him stepping into that WWE Championship frame. Mahal told The Independent that he is very grateful to have this second go-around in the company and that he, along with the rest of the roster, are blessed to be a part of WWE.
"I’d stay for those guys to stay hungry, stay ready and stay motivated". He continued, “We are so blessed to be WWE superstars and sometimes I think that’s taken for granted; what we do, many, many people around the world wish they could do. But I would also tell those people who are upcoming or those who are unhappy with their position that you are 100 per cent in charge of your career in WWE. You will go as far as you are willing to take it and are in control of your destiny, no one else. You can work hard and elevate yourself, or you can make excuses like I have in the past and see yourself go down the card. I was even released by WWE, but fortunately, I was given a second opportunity and after that, I was never going to take anything for granted. Every day is a blessing and an opportunity and it is up to you to take advantage of that.”
"The Modern Day Maharajah" has recently been instigating a feud between Randy Orton and the WWE United States Champion Bobby Roode. To read more into that, head over to our SmackDown Live results from this past Tuesday.
