Jinder Mahal chats about viral exchange with Tony Khan & The Rock’s advice post WWE segment
Jinder Mahal was recently featured as a guest on “INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet” for a deep dive into all things pro wrestling and WWE. During the interview, “The Modern Day Maharaja” discussed his journey to becoming WWE Champion, his memorable WWE television segment with The Rock in January, and his viral exchange on social media with AEW President Tony Khan.
Here are some of the highlights from the interview where Jinder Mahal shared his insights on these topics:
Reflecting on becoming WWE Champion: Jinder Mahal shared, “Vince appreciates a good physique. Not just for its aesthetics, but for the discipline and hard work it represents, especially given the demanding schedule at that time. To maintain a single-digit body fat percentage while constantly traveling is a testament to dedication. WWE is a place where hard work is acknowledged and rewarded. The right opportunity came at the right time for me, especially after my WrestleMania spot with Gronk. I remember Road Dogg telling me about big things coming my way after WrestleMania in Orlando. Little did I know that I would end up facing Randy Orton and eventually becoming the WWE Champion. It was a whirlwind journey that I never expected, but it was a dream come true.”
Revisiting the January 1st segment with The Rock: Jinder Mahal recalled, “I received a text from creative saying that we had nothing that week. Then, there was a change in travel arrangements indicating that I was flying out alone. I had a feeling that something big was happening. Eventually, it was revealed that The Rock was making a return and I was part of the segment. It was a surreal moment for me, finding out just a day or two before the actual appearance. The Rock’s presence and the whole experience were unforgettable.”
Recalling The Rock’s words after the segment: Jinder Mahal shared, “The Rock sent me a voice note expressing his appreciation for working with me and hinted that we would be crossing paths more in the future. At that moment, I didn’t fully grasp the significance of his words, but later on, it dawned on me that he meant we would be collaborating more frequently.”
Discussing the Twitter exchange with Tony Khan: Jinder Mahal mentioned, “I was at home after a cardio session when I saw a flurry of texts from Drew and others. I checked Twitter and noticed Tony Khan’s tweet. The response from fans and the wrestling community was overwhelming and unexpected. It definitely added an interesting twist to the match between Seth and me. I was pleasantly surprised by the support I received.”
If you want to catch the entire interview, you can watch it on Chris Van Vliet’s YouTube channel or visit ChrisVanVliet.com.