Jinder Mahal doesn't agree with one common criticism of WWE.
Over recent years, wrestling fans have debated over WWE's ability, or lack thereof, to create new stars. Jinder Mahal, speaking with Inside The Ropes' Gary Cassidy, disagreed with that notion and argued that himself, Drew McIntyre, Big E, and others are more than deserving of being called stars. He said the following:
“Yeah, they absolutely do [create stars]. That’s what we’re in the business of, right? Just being a fan myself. So I grew up first the Hulk Hogan era. Then the new stars came Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Mankind, right? And the new stars came the next generation – Rock, Stone Cold and then the next generation after that, Randy Orton and John Cena, Batista, right? And then the next generation after that, I guess, is possibly my generation, right? Me, Drew McIntyre, Big E, Bobby Lashley, Kofi Kingston, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins.”
Mahal then pointed to the number of champions WWE has had over the past decade as proof that people are rising to the top of the industry. He encourages fans to sit back, relax, and enjoy the product.
“So actually, I started with WWE in 2010 and all those champions that I’ve listed are first-time champions and there’s more that I’ve missed. So in the last ten years, we have had several champions. And if you look back in the 70-year history, I believe we’re at number 53. Ten have happened in the ten years. I think that speaks for itself, that we are creating new stars. If you look at the stats and you see who’s champion and what year, who’s the first time champion? There’s lots of them. So I think I think people just need to just sit back and enjoy the product, let the storylines unfold,” Mahal said.
He concluded by spotlighting NXT and shared a couple of names who he believes could be the next generation of stars.
“NXT 2.0 just got revamped," Mahal began by saying. "There’s Bron Breakker. You know, that’s a future WWE Champion, I believe. LA Knight, blown away by him. This guy has everything, the look, the charisma, in-ring, everything. This guy could be WWE Champion. So I think the next generation is already coming.”
Mahal had been feuding with Drew McIntyre in recent months, but the Scottish Warrior was drafted to SmackDown on the October 1 Draft edition of WWE SmackDown. Mahal's fate will be determined this coming Monday when the draft concludes on Raw.
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