The #1 contender for Randy Orton’s WWE Championship at Backlash, Jinder Mahal recently sat down with SportsKeeda. SportsKeeda & Mahal spoke on a number of different topics including Jinder Mahal’s psychical transformation that many have questioned, his main-event push, India backing him up & much more.
Here the highlights: (transcripts by SportsKeeda)
Jinder’s Dream Opponent:
“Yeah, I would like to face John Cena. Hopefully, I will be WWE Champion when the time to face Cena comes.”
Jinder On The Difference Between The SD Live & RAW Locker Rooms:
“The locker rooms are both the same. Everybody’s relaxed and supportive. I don’t really think there’s much difference between the two locker rooms. The wrestlers are very friendly on both brands. It’s a great atmosphere.”
Is It Strange Not Having His Canadian Side Shown On WWE TV?:
“No, not at all. I’m Punjabi and speak Punjabi fluently and know all the Indian customs and everything. I learned Punjabi before I learned English in spite of the fact that I was born in Canada. So, I don’t feel like that.There are Indians all over the world born in different countries but we all come from the same motherland.”
Biggest Influences Growing Up (wrestling wise) & His Favorite Matches Of All Time:
“My biggest influences were Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker. When I was a little older there was The Rock, Mick Foley, and Stone Cold Steve Austin.My favorite match of all time is the Iron Man Match between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania. My other favorite match is Ricky Steamboat vs. Macho Man at WrestleMania 3”
Representing India In The WWE:
“I’m very proud to be representing India in the WWE. The Indian fans are very passionate about our product, they’re very passionate about the WWE and it makes me proud that I’m representing all of them on such a big scale and I hope I can become WWE Champion and make all of India proud. I just want to thank Indian fans for always supporting me and being very passionate about our product.”
Singh Brothers:
“The Singh Brothers are good. I’ve actually known them for a long time. They were wrestling in Canada before this and it’s good to see them on SmackDown Live also. They were on 205 Live and NXT earlier, now they’re helping me out (laughs) so it’s good that I have somebody in my corner watching my back.”
Working W/ Randy Orton:
“The experience is great. I’m on the European tour so I get to wrestle Randy Orton every night. I try to pick up points every time on how to beat him at WWE Backlash to win the WWE Championship. Working with him is great, he’s a legend in the business. As they say, he’s the legend killer but I think it’s time for someone new to challenge him. I’m younger than him, I’m faster than him and I’m in better shape than him. I’m also stronger than him and don’t have any injuries so I think it’s time for a new WWE Champion.”
Secret Behind His Physical Transformation:
“The secret is consistency, I literally haven’t had a cheat meal in 3-4 months, I haven’t eaten anything I shouldn’t have. Even now, on the tour, I have my cooling bag with me and I carry 5 meals with me so that I eat every 2 hours. I eat 30/40 grams of carbohydrates, 30/40 grams of proteins with every meal. Then there’s cardio 6 days a week and weight training 6 days a week. I also became straight-edge, I also do a lot of Olympic compound movements.”
“Then there are lots of basic squats, lots of push-ups and other exercises. Overall, from diet to exercise, I’m seeing good results. I’m going to keep getting in better shape because not only do I look better but I feel better. I feel better inside the ring in terms of stamina and endurance, which is important if I want to become WWE Champion and have long matches every night.”
Being Pushed To The Main-Event Scene On SD Live:
“It’s been great, they say SmackDown Live is the land of opportunity and I think I’ve proved that it really is. The move has been great, when I originally debuted in 2011, I was on SmackDown. At the time, they were separate from RAW so I feel at home on SmackDown. It’s good to be back, RAW is also a great show but I feel, for me, SmackDown is a better opportunity and I’ve run with the opportunity so far on the blue brand.”
