Jinder Mahal wants to follow up his 2017 with an even better 2018.
"The Modern-Day Maharajah" Jinder Mahal recently graced the cover of 'Darpan Magazine' and Mahal also spoke with the publication about his rise to the top of the WWE mountain, having his WrestleMania moment last month as he captured the WWE United States Championship and discussed more.
During the summer of 2014 WWE announced that they had released Jinder Mahal from his contract after he spent four years with the company. Mahal returned to WWE two years later and in 2017 he reached the top of the mountain in the company at the 2017 'Backlash' PPV where he defeated Randy Orton to become WWE Champion. Mahal now looks back at his then-demoralizing release as one of the best things that has ever happened to him.
?I look back on it as the best thing that happened to me as it motivated me. WWE is a highly competitive entertainment business where if you aren?t up to the level they want, there are numerous others waiting to take your spot. You have to give your 100% every day. I had a lot of regrets when I got released, but I committed myself to making it back to the WWE and didn?t take anything for granted," Mahal said.
At WrestleMania 34 last month in New Orleans Jinder Mahal competed in a Fatal 4-Way match along with Rusev, Randy Orton and Bobby Roode for the WWE United States Championship. Mahal emerged victorious in the bout capturing his first U.S. Title in the midst of having his first WrestleMania moment.
?This was my first WrestleMania moment and I am very happy that I won the title. Now that I have a taste of it, I want to go again and take it to the next level. I am thankful for the opportunity, but I remain hungry for the main event and the chance to win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania one day. I worked very hard to achieve those goals and I look forward to a long career. Winning the U.S. Championship at WrestleMania in front of 78,000 people was awesome, and I want to have more of those moments. I want to be a Hall Of Famer so I will need to achieve my goals and work harder than the competition. It is not a one-time thing that you made it; you are being tested everyday as a challenge,? states Jinder.
Mahal's WrestleMania moment was huge for him but winning the WWE Championship was a moment that will stand over the rest of his accolades. Jinder went on to speak about the hard work he has put in to earn himself the accomplishments that he has had thus far in his second run in WWE.
"I was brought back to the WWE in 2016 and won this [title] 10 months later. Being the 1st ever champion of Punjabi or South Asian descent is truly an honor,? he says, ?I still have a lot more to show and the best is yet to come. When it?s all over, I want to be seen as one of the best WWE wrestlers of all time. I have dreamt of this my whole life. You don?t win the WWE Championship by accident, you have to dedicate your life to it. I visualize where I want to be in the future and I work relentlessly to get there." Mahal stated. "When I was in high school in Calgary, I used to take the bus for over an hour in the winter to go train. I would be wrestling with grown men, then take the bus back in -40 degree weather to go back to school next day. It really is crazy to think about where I have come from and what I have done to get here. I really appreciate all I have done and what my supporters have done for me to get to this level.?
Jinder Mahal wants to make another statement when he takes on Roman Reigns one-on-one at the 'Money In The Bank' PPV on June 17th. To view the updated match card for the event, click here.