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Tag: Jinder Mahal

  • Former WWE Superstar Talks About Jinder Mahal’s Physical Transformation

    Former WWE Superstar Talks About Jinder Mahal’s Physical Transformation

    WWE Champion Jinder Mahal has undergone an incredible physical transformation over the past year. In our exclusive interview with Mahal at during SummerSlam weekend, he said one of the biggest factors behind his eye-popping physique an success in WWE is belief in himself and his mentality and literally writing down his goals on paper.

    Back when he was starting out in the business, Jinder Mahal trained at the Martial Arts Fitness Center in Calgary, Alberta under Rick “Titan” Bognar. Yes, that Rick Titan – the man who portrayed the WWF’s “Fake” Razor Ramon in the late 90’s.

    During a recent interview with the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast, Titan spoke about Mahal’s success in the gym.

    “I didn’t say this to him and I saw him a couple of weeks ago but maybe I would have liked to have said it but it kind of popped into my head afterwards but with the abs, the serratus the thick wide shoulders, the v-shape he’s got and the legs that are just sticking out from that tiny waist of his, I’d say he’s in better shape than I was in at my best shape.”

    “I think there was one point when I was in FMW and when I was really ripped and had a tiny waist and was squatting quite a few hundred pounds that I was really at my physical peak. He is in absolutely ripped, massive, phenomenal shape and you are right it is mind blowing because he looked like sort of the average kind of steady guy in a gym that had been going for a few years and who had big arms and he was pretty thick with not a lot of definition but the next thing I know I see this and he looks like a ripped body builder and shaved off all his chest hair and has abs poking out like little bricks and I was like holy crap what a transformation.”

    It’s no secret that a great physique is one of the things WWE Chairman Vince McMahon looks for when considering which performers have “the look” to main event WWE shows. Titan compared Jinder Mahal’s body to The Ultimate Warrior’s and how being a ‘body guy’ impacts the success of today’s performers, especially when you factor in the success of guys like CM Punk and even Daniel Bryan.

    “I have to say just vision wise that Jinder looks not too far off the Ultimate Warrior, he’s in peak peak shape but for awhile with all of the drug issues and all of the guys dropping like flies and I could probably tell you twenty names of guys that are all dead now. With all of the drug testing that the WWE is doing that I think that wave has kind of passed and they are probably not looking at the court injunctions and the trouble and the people making judgements that: ‘That guy is on steroids.’

    “That wave has passed and I think now and I have to say even ten years ago watching a lot of these guys and no offense to him but CM Punk and people are paying $200 to watch him go to the ring and there are guys my size and I’m only about 230 (pounds) right now and I watch a guy like that go to the ring that are becoming really good talkers but I don’t think are strong and legit tough and I’m saying that well I can take that guy than where is the value in that $200. Now you are going back to a guy like Jinder who (HOLY CRAP) I wouldn’t want to meet him dark alley. So that is kind of the direction I think.”

    As a former WWE Superstar, Titan knows the feeling of being released by WWE and reached out to Jinder Mahal (and his father) after Mahal was released following his first run with the company.  He’s proud to see how far Jinder Mahal has come.

    “I think I tried to reach out once or twice and he didn’t get back to me and there is a lot of focus and a lot of determination that goes into that and if you are starting to slip and where I knew I was with the Razor Ramon character and I knew when my contract was going to be up after that year that they were probably not going to renew and I wasn’t in a real happy place and I thought well what am I going to do now? If I had a trainer that I could have talked to at that time I wouldn’t have reached out and say I think my career is just about over and I don’t know what to do.”

    “I talked to his Dad briefly and his Dad is about 15-20 years older than me and somehow we just kept in touch and he said that Raj (Jinder) isn’t really happy right now and doesn’t know what to do. I said to call me anytime because I had been through it and I think their should be some kind of coaching or some kind of psychologist or someone for the guys to reach out to in any sport to where when you are done with that business you whole life is caving in. Not to mention you are making a lot of money and when you are not making any money any more that is tough. Regardless to say, we didn’t keep in touch but it was really great to see him and the upside as World Champion at his brother’s wedding and we chatted a bit. There is also a tough as nails edge you have to be with being one of the top guys and to be World Champion and you don’t go around expressing your feelings a lot. Him and I had some nice little chats but it was nothing really deep going on.”

  • Jinder Mahal Walking Arjan Bhullar To The Octagon At UFC 215

    Jinder Mahal Walking Arjan Bhullar To The Octagon At UFC 215

    WWE Champion Jinder Mahal will be on hand for UFC 215, which takes place on Saturday, September 9th from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

    Mahal, who hails from Calgary, will walk Arjan Bhullar to the Octagon for his heavyweight fight against Luis Henrique. The fight will air on the preliminary card, which airs on UFC’s Fight Pass streaming network.

    The news was first reported by MMA journalist Chamatkar Sandhu. Bhullaar confirmed the report with a nod to RAW General Manager Kurt Angle.

    For more on UFC 215, visit the UFC 215 News page over at MMANews.com.

  • Jinder Mahal Talks About Working With Randy Orton, Representing India, More

    Jinder Mahal Talks About Working With Randy Orton, Representing India, More

    WWE Champion Jinder Mahal recently spoke with QC Online to promote Saturday’s SmackDown live event at the iWireless Center in Moline, IL. Mahal is advertised to defend the WWE Title against Randy Orton at the live event. Here are the highlights:

    On working with Randy Orton:

    “He’s an incredible performer, 13 times champion. Randy is there to ultimately take the WWE championship away from me. It’s my duty to ensure I walk out of Moline the WWE champion.”

    Representing India on WWE television:

    “It’s a great feeling to be champion, a proud feeling I’m representing India. India is proud to have a WWE champion. It’s very popular there, with a large viewership. Growing up, my uncle was a huge influence on me, and who I go to advice even still now in my current position.”

    You can read the entire interview here.

  • Jinder Mahal’s Rumored Hell In A Cell Opponent

    Jinder Mahal’s Rumored Hell In A Cell Opponent

    Since capturing the WWE Championship from Randy Orton at Backlash back on May 21st, Jinder Mahal has solidified himself as a bonafide main event player.

    Orton has had several chances to reclaim the title. Despite attempts by Orton at Money in the Bank and Battleground, Mahal still escaped as champion. The Modern Day Maharaja picked up a surprising win over Shinsuke Nakamura at SummerSlam (thanks to outside interference from the Singh Brothers).

    At last week’s post-SummerSlam edition of SmackDown Live, Nakamura got revenge by defeating the Singh Brothers in a 2-on-1 handicap match. After the match, Nakamura laid out the WWE Champion with a Kinshasa.

    On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer indicated that the current plan for October’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view main event is for Mahal to defend against Nakamura inside the demonic structure.

    Hell in a Cell takes place on October 8th from Detroit, Michigan at the Little Caesars Arena.

  • Jinder Mahal Gives Insight Into His Relationship With Vince McMahon, Talks Returning To WWE

    Jinder Mahal Gives Insight Into His Relationship With Vince McMahon, Talks Returning To WWE

    WWE Champion Jinder Mahal took part in an interview with Al Arabiya English before his WWE Championship match against Shinsuke Nakamura at last Sunday’s SummerSlam pay-per-view event at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Here are the highlights:

    Coming back even better to WWE:

    “I had mixed feelings about my release. Obviously I was very sad and disappointed because it was my goal to be a WWE Superstar my whole life and not only that, a WWE champion. I felt like I had let myself down. I was a disappointment to myself, I felt like I didn’t give it 100 percent. But also at the same time, I was kind of unhappy at the moment in 3MB. I wasn’t progressing the way I felt I should be, which was ultimately my fault because I wasn’t putting in the work. In order to succeed in WWE, you’re responsible. If you put in 100 percent, you get back 100 percent, a lot of it is mental, just my mental attitude has changed, I have a very positive outlook, I set goals for myself and I write down my goals. I read a lot of self-help books, I listen to a lot of podcasts and just thinking positive, positive things are starting to happen in my life. I’m a firm believer that you get back what you put in.”

    Insight into his relationship with Vince McMahon:

    “My relationship with Vince is great. He’s actually the first person I talk to after any match or any promo, whereas before, my relationship with Vince wasn’t that great because I would just avoid him. Obviously Vince is very intimidating, but once you get to know him, he’s very friendly and very helpful, he wants to help you. He wants to see you succeed, because when you succeed, WWE succeeds. It’s his baby, it’s his business, it’s his brainchild and he wishes nothing but the best for it. I see a lot of change, characters in WWE are constantly evolving. I want to add more depth and layers to my character, maybe show a little more of my real personality. I’m kind of a funny guy, I’m fun to be around, but sometimes my character is very serious. I still have that side to show; you saw a little of that with 3MB, but I think we can find more balance between the two. I just turned 31 so I feel I haven’t even hit my prime yet.”

  • Exclusive: Jinder Mahal On His Relationship With Vince, His Transformation, McIntyre

    Exclusive: Jinder Mahal On His Relationship With Vince, His Transformation, McIntyre

    Last week during SummerSlam weekend, we had a chance to attend the WWE 2K18 launch party in New York City. SEScoops correspondent Jason Solomon of the popular Solomonster Sounds Off podcast got a chance to speak with WWE Champion Jinder Mahal about whether or not he envisioned being WWE Champion when he returned to the company last year, what led to his drastic transformation, his relationship with Vince McMahon and his longtime friend and NXT Champion Drew McIntyre.

    Jinder Mahal has come a long way since his last WWE run. From his run as a member of 3MB to WWE Champion, we asked Mahal if he ever envisioned reaching this level of success.

    “Yeah, absolutely, that’s why I’m in this position,” he said. “You don’t become WWE Champion by accident. Ever since returning to WWE that’s been my goal, that’s what I told Vince McMahon right when I came back, I’m going to improve week by week and one day this place is going to be mine, I’m going to have the keys to the kingdom. I’m very fortunate because WWE is a place where they reward hard work. I became number one contender and ultimately WWE Champion. You don’t just become one of the greats, hopefully I can become one of the greats, by accident.”

    As WWE Champion, we were curious about his relationship with WWE CEO Vince McMahon. Mahal admits that Vince can be very intimidating, but at the end of the day, he wants everybody to succeed.

    “It’s changed drastically. I used to kind of avoid Vince, I was intimidated by him, he is after all a very intimidating guy, but now I have a very good relationship with Vince. He’s actually very cool, he wants to see you succeed. If you succeed, ultimately WWE succeeds, I’m very fortunate that he’s very hands on with me. When I come back from my match, Vince is the first person I come and talk to.”

    Jinder Mahal has undergone a drastic physical transformation, be he credits his success to changing his outlook and writing down his goals.

    “The most important thing that has changed is my attitude. Mentally, I have changed. I’m just a lot more positive and I know you get back what you put in. I know that if I put in 100%, I get back 100%.”

    He continued, “Actually another thing I started to do is write down my goals. As of the new year, I would write down my goals, I kind of messed up, I wrote “Become a WWE Champion” but I did not write “Become WWE Champion.” I aimed kind of low, I was thinking IC Champion or US Champion, but if you put it on paper, I promise you, good things start to happen and you start moving in that direction.”

    Finally, we asked about Drew McIntyre’s success in NXT. The former 3MB bandmates are now champions and Mahal thinks the two of them could main event a WrestleMania together one day.

    “We’ve both had our ups and downs, he just like myself debuted in WWE at a young age, maybe it was a little too much too soon and we were both released at the same time. We both came back and we both have a huge chip on our shoulder and have something to prove. He’s re-focused just like I am. The sky is the limit for Drew, I know definitely he’s going to his this [WWE] championship, hopefully it’s the Universal Championship. A funny story, Drew the other day was going for an alligator tour in Florida and I texted him saying, ‘Hey man, be careful, we have a WrestleMania to main event one day.’ True story.”

    Check out the full video below, which also includes interviews with RAW General Manager Kurt Angle, Braun Strowman, former NXT Champion Bobby Roode, former RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss and Bayley.

  • WWE SummerSlam Results: Jinder Mahal vs Shinsuke Nakamura For The WWE Championship

    WWE SummerSlam Results: Jinder Mahal vs Shinsuke Nakamura For The WWE Championship

    Mahal controlled the match early but Nakamura turned the tables and challenged Mahal to run at him. Mahal obliged and Nakamura got out of the way and Mahal fell out of the ring as the crowd chanted “3MB!”. WWE cut to the Indian announce team and the Japanese announce team throughout the beginning of the match.

    Nakamura connected with a knee drop as the Barclays Center hummed Nakamura’s theme. Shinsuke shoved his boot in Mahal’s face in the corner. Jinder rolled out of the ring and Nakamura followed him out there. Nakamura punched him in the face against the barricade and then through Mahal into the ring.

    Nakamura was distracted on the ring apron by the Singh Brothers and Mahal took advantage. Jinder stomped on Mahal and then posed in the ring to taunt the crowd. Jinder applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Nakamura broke free but Mahal leveled him with an elbow to the face. Jinder elbowed Nakamura in the back of the head and then applied the Chin Lock again.

    Shinsuke broke free and connected with a spin kick to Jinder’s face. Nakamura connected with a kick to Jinder’s chest and then whipped him into the turnbuckle. Nakamura draped Mahal across the top rope and then kneed him in the midsection for a two count. Shinsuke locked in a Triangle submission hold but Mahal quickly got his foot on the ropes to break the hold.

    Jinder blocked Nakamura’s attempt at a Suplex but Nakamura booted him and then planted him face first into the mat. Nakamura went for a running knee but Mahal reversed it into a roll-up for a two count. Jinder connected with a running knee of his own for a two count. Jinder went for the Khallas but Nakamura connected with a kick. Jinder charged at Nakamura in the corner but Shinsuke avoided it and hit the ring post.

    The Singh Brothers got into the ring and Nakamura took them out. Mahal used the distraction and planted Nakamura with the Khallas for the victory.

  • Jinder Mahal On The Great Khali Holding Up The WWE Title At Battleground, Shinsuke Nakamura

    Jinder Mahal On The Great Khali Holding Up The WWE Title At Battleground, Shinsuke Nakamura

    Jinder Mahal was interviewed by Kenny McIntosh of Inside the Ropes. Kenny isn’t a big fan of Mahal and Jinder made sure to rub it in that he was the WWE Champion throughout the interview.

    Mahal started off the interview by poking fun at Kenny and then declaring that he will walk out of SummerSlam weekend as still WWE Champion.

    Did The Great Khali think he won the WWE Championship after the Punjabi Prison match when he raised the title?

    This is our championship. This is India’s championship. So ultimately, it is also the Great Khali’s championship and the 1.3 billion people in India’s championship. Hopefully I am doing a good job. I know I am. There was a reason why I picked the Punjabi Prison match. It was no disqualifications and I had big Khali hiding in the back. Somehow I pulled it off and walked out WWE Champion just like I am doing to do at SummerSlam. He (Khali) got the job done and made sure I stayed WWE Champion. If raising my title up is the price to pay, then that is a price I’m willing to pay.

    You have used the Singh Brothers to your advantage during your WWE title run. What are you willing to make those poor guys go through for you?

    You are going to have to ask them but there is no price that is too high for The Maharaja. They are compensated very well for all the risks that they take and they are very happy to serve the modern day Maharaja.

    What is The Maharaja and what does it mean?

    Maharaja means king. “Maha” means grand and “raja” means king. Grand king.

    Are you taking Shinsuke Nakamura seriously at SummerSlam?

    I’m taking Shinsuke very seriously. Obviously he has main-evented Tokyo dome many times. He is very difficult to study because his style from New Japan Pro Wrestling to WWE has changed so much. I’m not underestimating him. I know he is very tough. There is a reason why he beat John Cena clean. I was about to beat John Cena clean this past week (SmackDown) before Baron Corbin tried to cash in. But you know I’m glad the briefcase… contract, Money in the Bank contract is out of the way and I can focus on Shinsuke Nakamura. I’m not taking it lightly and he shouldn’t take me lightly. I am the WWE Champion for a reason.

    A lot of people want Shinsuke Nakamura to win the WWE Championship at SummerSlam. Are you looking forward to the reaction from the Brooklyn crowd if you win the match and retain?

    Yeah, I am looking forward to proving people wrong. Everybody expects Shinsuke to walk out as WWE Champion but I promise I will retain the WWE Championship and then you can celebrate a year of The Maharaja.

  • Jinder Mahal Trains For SummerSlam (Video), Mahal On Defending WWE Championship In India

    Jinder Mahal Trains For SummerSlam (Video), Mahal On Defending WWE Championship In India

    Jinder Mahal trains for WWE SummerSlam

    WWE has uploaded a new video of Jinder Mahal training for his match this Sunday at WWE SummerSlam. Mahal will defend his WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura. In the video, Mahal trains at Frenchie’s Gym and says that Nakamura is in for a rude awakening at SummerSlam.

    Mahal on defending the WWE Championship in India

    Jinder Mahal recently did a Q&A with Vikram Bodas on Yahoo Sports.

    Would it be more special to defend the WWE Championship in your hometown of Calgary or in India?

    “I would say that it would be more special in India. Both would be very, very special, but Calgary already has had a champion with Bret Hart and they already have a rich, established wrestling tradition. Whereas India, yet, isn’t.

    “You know, I would love to take the WWE championship back to India. Nobody has ever taken a WWE championship to India so just to think about the power that I would have to motivate the youth and to inspire a tremendous amount of people there is amazing. Obviously, the WWE universe right now over there is very passionate and I know the response would just be electric. That atmosphere of performing there would be on a whole other level. When WWE went there last time, I wasn’t back with WWE so I missed that. All the WWE superstars tell me that it was one of their favorite events they ever worked. The crowd was just electric from beginning to end.”

    What is the state of WWE and wrestling in India right now?

    “Things are good. Everyone is very proud that I am the WWE champion. We get lots of media coverage almost every week – lots of newspaper and TV coverage. When I made the comeback at the Punjabi Prison, that was huge and the clip went viral. When I won the WWE championship it was all over the news, it’s great. I know WWE just launched the merchandise store over there. The highlight show Sunday Dhamaal, which used to only highlight RAW got moved to a primetime spot and now is highlighting both RAW and SmackDown.”

  • Jinder Mahal Reveals The One Thing That Will Make Him Give Away The WWE Title

    Jinder Mahal Reveals The One Thing That Will Make Him Give Away The WWE Title

    WWE Champion Jinder Mahal recently joined Dave Lagreca on Busted Open, alongside fellow WWE Superstar Mark Henry, to promote this weekend’s (Sun. August 20, 2017) SummerSlam pay-per-view (PPV), and his WWE Title defense against former New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Shinsuke Nakamura.

    “The Maharaja” talked about looking forward to working with “The Artist,” what he needs to look out for the most against the Japanese star, and the one thing that would make him give away the WWE Title. Check it out here:

    What he thinks about working with Nakamura:

    “Yeah I’m really looking forward to my match with Nakamura, obviously a huge star in Japan, and the crowd loves him. But it’s Brooklyn man, the crowd is unpredictable. It’s just like Chicago, when I beat Randy Orton for the title I said in some interviews, ‘Man, I honestly don’t know what this crowd is going to be like. I don’t know if they’re going to cheer me or cheer Randy, boo me out the building, or whatnot, but as long as they’re making noise it’s good and I know they’re gonna be making a lot of noise.’ I’m interested to see where this match with Shinsuke goes. I’m definitely looking forward to working with Shinsuke. Man, his strikes are surgical.”

    What does he needs to look out for the most against Nakamura:

    “Yeah man, his striking, his unpredictability is a major factor. Just his charisma, his body movement, it’s unlike anybody else’s. He’s unlike anybody that I’ve ever faced before. Very unorthodox but effective. So I think we’re gonna have a strong, strong match and I look to working with him in the future cause I see him being a main event level talent for a long time. Along with myself, I see myself in that same light too. I’m not gonna back down, a lot of people ask me this question, ‘What was it like when you won the WWE Championship? Was it like ‘Oh my god I accomplished something -” Honestly it wasn’t weird man, it really wasn’t, because my goals are much bigger than this.

    “I don’t want to just be a one time champion. My goal is not just to win the championship, and it was a lot of work to get here but when I won it, I want to keep it. I actually said this on Talking Smack, when Baron Corbin won the Money In The Bank contract, they had asked me something about it and I’m like, ‘When Baron Corbin out-works me, I will personally hand him this title. He doesn’t need to cash-in anything. If I get outworked, I will give the title away.’”

    Listen to Mahal’s full interview with Busted Open by clicking here.

    H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions

  • Jinder Mahal Reveals If WWE Has Any Plans For The Great Khali

    Jinder Mahal Reveals If WWE Has Any Plans For The Great Khali

    We noted before how The Great Khali’s appearance on Battleground PPV was seemingly a one off deal as the former World Champion was not advertised for any of the upcoming WWE Events.

    However, many believed that WWE will not call him for just one appearance and they may have something more planned for the Indian Star.

    During his recent interview with Sportskeeda’s Riju Dasgupta, Jinder Mahal was asked if the Giant will reappear on WWE Programming anytime soon.

    Replying to it the Modern Day Maharaja said that he hopes to see Khali again, but he also revealed that currently, WWE has no plans to bring him back for another surprise appearance:

    “I would definitely hope so, but for the mean time, we don’t have anything planned. No appearances. It was just for one night for the Punjabi Prison. I’m sure The Great Khali, we haven’t seen the last of him or us together. When it’s going to happen again, that’s going to be a surprise. Whenever it is, I’m looking forward to it.”

    The Great Khali made his surprise return on WWE TV during the Battleground PPV last month. There, he helped Jinder Mahal in retaining the WWE Championship in a Punjabi Prison match against Randy Orton.

  • Triple H Reveals Why Jinder Mahal Received A WWE Championship Push

    Triple H Reveals Why Jinder Mahal Received A WWE Championship Push

    Usually, when WWE officials have made their mind about a star, he stays in the same position on the card for the majority of his WWE career. However, there are few stars who break this barrier and achieve things nobody thought was possible.

    One such star is the current WWE Champion Jinder Mahal who was considered nothing more than a jobber few years before but now he is one of the top heels on the SmackDown roster and holds one of the two top titles in the company.

    Many wonder what led to such a dramatic progress in his position on the WWE Programming and more importantly what changed Officials’ mind about Mahal which resulted in him winning one of the most coveted titles in WWE History.

    During a recent conference call, Triple H was asked what led to the former 3MB member winning the WWE title. Replying to the question, the Game claimed that he always thought Jinder had the potential for such a push but in his first run; things didn’t pan out as thought.

    Continuing on the topic, the former World Champion revealed that Jinder’s hiatus from the company from 2014 to 2016 made him more mature and when he returned, it helped him in receiving a push similar to another former 3MB member Drew McIntyre:

    “Nothing always goes the way you plan. But, you take them out of the environment, when both those guys left us, it looked – go figure some things out, take your time, mature. Be ready for the opportunity, because when it comes back, you’re gonna want to be able to kill it, and they both have. I think that’s great. “

    It’s worth noting here that previously Triple H has also credited Jinder Mahal for his hard work since returning to WWE and has revealed that he told him to go to other places and learn more in his career when the company released him.

    Quotes via Wrestlezone

  • Triple H Speaks On Why WWE Pushed Jinder Mahal, Wrestlers Leaving & Returning

    Triple H Speaks On Why WWE Pushed Jinder Mahal, Wrestlers Leaving & Returning

    On a recent conference call to promote Saturday’s NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III event, Triple H discussed Jinder Mahal’s success story. Triple H says that they always thought Mahal had the potential to be the WWE Champion.

    “He was one of the last two guys in the finals for me at the first, to determine the first NXT Champion,” Triple H recalled. “People forget that. I thought he had that ability. He came right up to main roster, things didn’t pan out the way we wanted them to pan out. You can talk to him about that, he’ll kind of give you his take on it too as well. Part of that’s him, part of that’s us, part of that being not ready for it.”

    Triple H says that Jinder’s time away from the company helped him grow as a performer, and he feels that sometimes talent leaving to work other places ends up helping them for future runs in WWE. As for wrestlers currently on the roster who need freshening up, he says NXT or the WWE Network’s UK shows may be options for them to “rebuild.”

    “Rather than them not being here, it’s like, okay, we’re gonna bring you over to UK for a little while or we’re gonna bring you down to NXT and you’re gonna do a little run there, freshen you up a little bit, bring you back,” Triple H explained.

    “I think those opportunities are there in some way, for everybody on the roster, to be able to move around and be able to do the things that are meaningful,” he continued. “Whether main roster, whether NXT, whether localized some place else where they can go teach other people, learn themselves and sometimes taking a step back out of it makes you realize things that you had forgotten or that make you think, ‘I don’t do that anymore at all. I gotta get myself back in gear.’ It’s real easy in this industry where you do things every single day over and over — sometimes stepping out of it is the best way to realize you need to reinvigorate your passion and get back in there and dig in.”

    NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III takes place on Saturday, August 19th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, with live play-by-play coverage and discussion all night on SEScoops.

  • Jinder Mahal To Accompany UFC Fighter, Sasha Banks Zombie Video

    Jinder Mahal To Accompany UFC Fighter, Sasha Banks Zombie Video

    – Arjan Bhullar, who in May became the first fighter of Indian origin to join the UFC, announced on Instagram that WWE Champion Jinder Mahal will accompany him to the Octagon for his debut fight at UFC 215 on September 9, 2017, against Luis Henrique.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BXqwKIMlPpY/

    Here is a video of Mahal and Bhullar working out together.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQdLK66kkqo&w=620&h=349]

    – WWE has posted this time-lapse video of Sasha Banks being transformed to resemble her WWE Zombies Mattel action figure.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUpDLHCUFCs&w=620&h=349]

    – The WWE Network has added two “Old School” shows: Philadelphia Spectrum 11/24/83 (The Iron Sheik challenges Bob Backlund for the WWF Championship in the main event) and L.A. Sports Arena 7/15/88 (Jake “The Snake” Roberts faces “Ravishing” Rick Rude, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan steps into the ring with Ultimate Warrior, and Andre the Giant battles “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan).

  • Jinder Mahal On When He Found Out He’d Be Winning The WWE Championship

    Jinder Mahal On When He Found Out He’d Be Winning The WWE Championship

    WWE Champion Jinder Mahal was recently a guest on Roz & Mocha on Kiss 92.5 to promote this past Tuesday’s SmackDown Live. During the interview, Mahal discussed a number of professional wrestling topics including his journey back to WWE in 2014, when he was notified that he was going to win the WWE Championship, and fans’ reaction to him on social media. You can check out some highlights here below:

    Journeying back to WWE following his 2014 release:

    “I came back motivated, it was my second time coming back I was fortunate enough – WWE gave me an opportunity to return about a little over a year ago and I was going to take full advantage of that. I’m the hardest working WWE Superstar, I’m constantly working on my physique, my promos, my in ring abilities. I knocked off one of the all time greats, Randy Orton, a 13 time World Champion. But John Cena and Ric Flair have the record right now at 16 times, it’s my goal to beat them. I want to be the most winningest WWE champion of all time.”

    When he found out he would be winning the WWE Championship:

    “This one was king of sprung on my last minute. A lot of times it’s planned. I knew I was going to be a champion in WWE but not this soon. I thought I was working towards Intercontinental Champion or U.S. Champion and then work my way up, but they I was given the opportunity and I was ready. They gave me the opportunity and I had time, I was like “Oh I need a month or two to get ready.”

    “So I was ready, I was ready to rock, I was ready to be the WWE Champion, I was ready to be the face of the WWE. It is a lot of pressure but I enjoy everything. I enjoy the media, doing what I’m doing right now, I enjoy the appearances, I enjoy main eventing the show, there’s pressure in that – and I perform better under pressure, that pressure is what motivates me.”

    Fans’ reaction to him on social media:

    “Yeah it’s very cool because either you love me or hate me. It’s nice to have some fresh faces in the title picture scene cause a lot of times it is the same guys, the franchise guys like Cena and Orton, and now like AJ Styles, he’s a big time player. So it’s great that my name is in the mix too cause just to be in the same level as guys like AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, and Shinsuke Nakamura who’s my opponent at SummerSlam August 20th, it’s truly an honor.

    “It’s not something I take lightly so that motivates me every day so I’m going to continue to work hard and make Canada proud, make India proud, make everybody proud, make myself proud, my family proud. It’s awesome, I look forward to what the future brings, I still haven’t even hit my prime. I have a long long career ahead of me.”

    You can listen to Mahal’s full interview with Roz & Mocha on Kiss 92.5 at this link.

    H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions

  • Jim Ross Blogs: Bayley & Scott Dawson Injury, Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, WWE UK

    Jim Ross Blogs: Bayley & Scott Dawson Injury, Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, WWE UK

    WWE Hall Of Famer and commentator Jim Ross recently took to his JR’s BBQ website to post another entry in his blog. Ross discussed the recent injuries to Bayley and Scott Dawson, Jinder Mahal defending his WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura at SummerSlam, and the WWE’s UK Show. Here are the highlights:

    Injuries to Bayley and Scott Dawson:

    “Never a good time for injures in any endeavor, but it looks as both Bayley and Scott Dawson of Revival will miss SummerSlam with injuries. There’s no good time to be injured, but the key ingredient is how does one [prepare] and execute coming back better than when they were before they were injured? Mental preparation for one’s craft doesn’t have to stop because of a ruptured bicep or separated shoulder. Bayley is as good as there is in the women’s division in WWE, while The Revival boys are one of my favorite tag teams to come along in years and remind me so much of Jim Cornette’s famed, Midnight Express teams.”

    Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam:

    “Curious to see how the Jinder Mahal vs Shinsuke Nakamura title bout at SummerSlam evolves. The Two main events for the WWE and the Universal Titles at SummerSlam are compelling regarding the strategy component, in my opinion. It’s certainly an opportunity to enhance the TV personas of multiple talents i.e. ‘Maximize One’s Minutes.’”

    The WWE’s UK Show:

    “I get asked often about the WWE U.K. TV show that has been discussed sporadically over the past several months and I don’t have an update, except to say that the idea is still alive and well. I hope to be included with Nigel McGuinness on the broadcast team if and when it happens.”

    You can read Ross’ full blog post by visiting this link here.

  • Big Names In Dark Match Street Fight After 205 Live, Celebrity Backstage w/ Jinder, Naomi Speaks

    Big Names In Dark Match Street Fight After 205 Live, Celebrity Backstage w/ Jinder, Naomi Speaks

    – This week’s SmackDown Fallout video features Women’s Champion Naomi discussing her non-title loss to Carmella, thanks to James Ellsworth. Naomi congratulates Carmella and Ellsworth on getting one over on her, but says what matters is SummerSlam and no one will take the title from her there.

    – The dark match main event for the crowd in Toronto after 205 Live saw Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles defeat Baron Corbin and Kevin Owens in a “Toronto street fight tag match.”

    – Actor Kal Penn of Harold and Kumar fame was WWE Champ Jinder Mahal’s personal guest at SmackDown in Toronto this week. WWE posted this photo of Mahal with Penn and the Singh Brothers backstage at the Air Canada Centre. The Singh Brothers were kept off TV this week to sell their injuries from the Punjabi Prison match.

  • Jim Ross On Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura At SummerSlam, Weekly WWE UK TV Show

    Jim Ross On Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura At SummerSlam, Weekly WWE UK TV Show

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has posted a new blog entry over at his official website where he gives his thoughts on various topics. Here are the highlights.

    WWE Championship match between Jinder Mahal and Shinsuke Nakamura at SummerSlam:

    “Curious to see how the Jinder Mahal vs Shinsuke Nakamura title bout at SummerSlam evolves. The Two main events for the WWE and the Universal Titles at SummerSlam are compelling regrding the strategy component IMO. It’s certainly an opportunity to enhance the TV personas of multiple talents i.e. “Maximize One’s Minutes.”

    Bayley and Scott Dawson’s injuries:

    “Never a good time for injures in any endeavor but it looks as if both Bayley and Scott Dawson of Revival will miss SummerSlam with injuries. There’s no good time to be injured but the key ingredient is how does one strategize and execute coming back better than when they were before they were injured? Mental preparation for one’s craft doesn’t have to stop because of a ruptured bicep or separated shoulder. Bayley is as good as there is in the women’s division in WWE while The Revival boys are one of my favorite tag teams to come along in years and remind me so much of Jim Cornette’s famed, Midnight Express teams.”

    Weekly WWE UK TV show:

    “I get asked often about the WWE U.K. TV Show that has been discussed sporadically over the past several months and I don’t have an update except to say that the idea is still alive and well. I hope to be included with Nigel McGuiness on the broadcast team if and when it happens.”

    Ross also talked about NJPW’s G1 Climax and more. You can read the entire blog here.

  • Jinder Mahal On Having A Lot Of Regrets Following His 2014 WWE Release

    Jinder Mahal On Having A Lot Of Regrets Following His 2014 WWE Release

    WWE Champion Jinder Mahal recently did an interview with Ottawa Citizen to talk about his professional wrestling career and much more. “The Modern Day Maharaja” was asked about his release from WWE back in 2014, having pride for Calgary and bringing the WWE title back, as well as being proud of his Indian heritage. Check out some of the highlights here:

    Being released from WWE back in 2014:

    “I had a lot of regrets. I felt like I didn’t give it my all. I said, if I ever get a second chance I’ll do everything in my power. I’ll give it 110 percent. I’ve taken full advantage of that opportunity. I was working hard to become WWE champion, but now that I am WWE champion, I’m putting in even more work.”

    Having pride for Calgary and bringing the WWE Championship back:

    “Calgary prides itself on being a wrestling town. I was very proud to bring the championship back to Calgary. It’s a huge deal for not only my family, but Calgary as a city.”

    Being proud of his Indian heritage:

    “Every day is a blessing in WWE, and I keep reminding myself of that. That’s my character. I’m very proud of my Indian heritage; I’m very proud of my Canadian heritage, as well, and I think, when the time is right, we’ll show that side, too. But, right now, I’m having fun representing the 1.3 billion people of India.”

    You can read Mahal’s full interview with Ottawa Citizen at this link.

  • WWE Championship Match Set For SummerSlam, Updated PPV Card

    WWE Championship Match Set For SummerSlam, Updated PPV Card

    John Cena faced off against Shinsuke Nakamura in the main-event of this week’s episode of SmackDown. Jinder Mahal and the Singh Brothers watched the match from a sky box in the arena. Cena had the match in control and planted Nakamura with two Attitude Adjustments in a row.

    Cena went for a third Attitude Adjustment but Nakamura was able to counter it into an Exploder Suplex and Cena landed on the back of his head. Nakamura then geared up in the corner and connected with the Kinshasa for the victory. Nakamura will now face Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship at WWE SummerSlam on August 20th.

    After SmackDown went off the air, Baron Corbin attacked Nakamura from behind. Cena came down to the ring and made the save. Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment on Corbin through the announce table and then shook hands with Nakamura once again.

    Updated WWE SummerSlam Card

    Fatal 4-Way for the WWE Universal Championship

    •  Brock Lesnar (c) vs Roman Reigns vs Samoa Joe vs Braun Strowman

    (if Brock Lesnar loses, he leaves WWE)

    WWE Championship

    • Jinder Mahal (c) vs Shinsuke Nakamura

    SmackDown Women’s Championship

    • Naomi (c) vs Natalya

    RAW Women’s Championship

    • Alexa Bliss (c) vs Bayley

    United States Championship (Special Referee Shane McMahon)

    • AJ Styles (c) vs Kevin Owens

    Cruiserweight Championship 

    Neville (c) vs Akira Tozawa

    Rusev vs Randy Orton

  • Cena vs. Nakamura Next Week, Winner Faces Mahal At SummerSlam

    Cena vs. Nakamura Next Week, Winner Faces Mahal At SummerSlam

    On tonight’s episode of SmackDown, WWE Champion Jinder Mahal made his way to the ring decked out in a blue suit and tie. Mahal came down to the ring alone, as the Singh Brothers were selling their injuries after Sunday’s Punjabi Prison match at WWE Battleground. Mahal claimed that he crushed the legacy of Randy Orton at Battleground and the legend of the modern day Maharaja was born. Mahal stated that just like everyone in the WWE Universe, Randy Orton underestimated him at Battleground. Mahal demanded to know who his opponent at WWE SummerSlam and demanded silence from the crowd as he spoke in Punjabi.

    John Cena came down to the ring and Mahal said that he wasn’t finished. Mahal said that he knows what Cena was going to say that Jinder doesn’t deserve to be WWE Champion. Cena stated that Mahal sucks as a mind reader, and said that he respects the fact that Mahal is in the best shape of his life and that the WWE Championship means so much to him. Cena then gave Mahal a heads up that at SummerSlam, Jinder Mahal is facing “Super Cena”. Cena then vowed to walk out of SummerSlam as a 17 time WWE Champion.

    Cena’s music hit and Cena exited the ring. Smackdown GM Daniel Bryan then came down to the entrance ramp and Bryan congratulated both of them at being victorious at Battleground. Daniel Bryan announced that John Cena doesn’t make the matches and said that on SmackDown, opportunities are earned even if your name is John Cena. Daniel Bryan then made a match for next week’s SmackDown. John Cena will face Shinsuke Namaura next week to determine who will challenge Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship at WWE SummerSlam on August 20th.

  • WWE Posts Photo of Randy Orton’s Back After Punjabi Prison Match

    WWE Posts Photo of Randy Orton’s Back After Punjabi Prison Match

    Jinder Mahal took no mercy on Randy Orton last night during their Punjabi Prison match. The WWE Champion took advantage of several kendo sticks placed under the ring, and tore up Orton’s back with them.

    WWE posted a photo of the aftermath late last night:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BW6hnXWgdhl/

    What’s Next For Randy Orton?

    Randy Orton has now lost to Jinder Mahal on 3 straight PPVs. All 3 of his losses were more or less due to outside interference however.

    Jinder’s victory, combined by the reappearance of the Great Khali, brings up several possible options for SummerSlam matches.

    One possibility is Orton taking on Khali, while Jinder defends his championship against another challenger. Another option however, is Jinder and Khali in a tag-team match against Randy Orton and a partner to be determined.

  • Jinder Mahal Comments On The Great Khali’s Return

    Jinder Mahal Comments On The Great Khali’s Return

    WWE Champion, Jinder Mahal, defeated Randy Orton in the 3rd ever Punjabi Prison match to retain his title last night. The creator of the Punjabi Prison match, the Great Khali, returned to the company in dramatic fashion to help secure Jinder’s victory.

    After his win at Battleground, Jinder spoke to WWE.com reporters regarding what having the Great Khali with him means.

    Jinder continued to express his thoughts on Talking Smack:

    Is the Great Khali Back in WWE Full-Time?

    We should know more about Khali’s WWE status in the coming days, but it certainly seems as though he is back in the company on at least a temporary basis.

    Khali is 44 years old, and has had mobility problems due to his enormous size. Since leaving WWE in 2014, Khali has opened his own wrestling school and promotion in India, “Continental Wrestling Entertainment”. WWE recently signed Khali’s student, Kavita Devi, to compete in the Mae Young Classic. Devi is WWE’s first female-born Superstar from India.

  • Great Khali Returns During Punjabi Prison Match At Battleground

    Great Khali Returns During Punjabi Prison Match At Battleground

    Jinder Mahal defended the WWE Championship tonight against Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison match at WWE Battleground. Orton had the match won several times but the Singh Brothers kept interfering. Orton was still able overcome the odds and started to climb up the outer-structure of the Punjabi Prison.

    The Great Khali then made his WWE return and made his way down the entrance ramp as Orton was halfway up the structure. Khali then grabbed Orton by the throat and Mahal escaped the Punjabi Prison to retain his WWE Championship. After the match, Mahal and The Great Khali celebrated on the entrance ramp.

  • AJ Styles Throws Out First Pitch At Phillies Game (Video), Jinder Mahal On Getting Advice From The Great Khali

    AJ Styles Throws Out First Pitch At Phillies Game (Video), Jinder Mahal On Getting Advice From The Great Khali

    AJ Styles throws first pitch at today’s Phillies game

    WWE United States Champion AJ Styles threw out the first pitch today at the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers game at Citizens Bank Park earlier today. Styles will defend his United States Championship against Kevin Owens at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia later tonight.

    https://twitter.com/nickpiccone/status/889195740270141442

    Jinder Mahal says The Great Khali has given him some advice for tonight’s match

    Jinder Mahal will defend his WWE Championship tonight at WWE Battleground against Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison match. The Punjabi Prison was introduced in 2006 and build for former WWE Superstar The Great Khali. Mahal revealed in a recent interview with The Times of India that he has recently received advice from The Great Khali. Here are Mahal’s comments to The Times of India:

    “I chose the Punjabi Prison Match because the match at MITB was in St. Louis which is Orton’s home town. It was on his terms; his father was sitting in the front row. So, when I had the chance, I wanted my match on my terms and my terms are Punjabi Prison match. It was invented by the Great Khali and he has given me some tricks and tips to how to win the match and I am more than ready to defend my title.”