Sunday night at WWE Backlash, Jinder Mahal defeated Randy Orton to become the new WWE Champion, and wrestling fans all over the world are still in shock. WWE clearly has faith in Jinder as he’s been pushed from the bottom of the card straight to the top in a matter of weeks.
That fact isn’t lost on Jinder, and during a recent interview with CBS, the current WWE Champion said that his title win is a great thing for wrestling and the locker room because his quick ascension proves that it’s possible if you put in the work.
Jinder Mahal’s WWE Championship win was a huge moment, and while fans in Allstate Arena were still in shock, Jinder Mahal received a standing ovation when he walked backstage.
“As soon as I walked through Gorilla, they are all standing there and giving me a standing ovation,” Mahal said. “It was one of the greatest feelings I have ever had. I don’t think I ever got a standing ovation walking back through Gorilla before. I’ve been working for 15 years now, so half of my life has been dedicated for wrestling. So that felt great. It all felt worth it at the exact moment that I won. Coming back through Gorilla and getting all the respect from Vince and all the boys and the producers, it was really a dream come true.”
Jinder is getting massive amounts of heat right now due to his anti-American gimmick, and although he wasn’t completely sold on the gimmick at first, he gives credit to Vince McMahon for getting him over as a heel.
“Obviously, those [negative] thoughts go through your mind. But I trust in the process and I trust in Vince [McMahon] and WWE creative,” Mahal said. “He has made superstars in just as short of time. Look at [John Bradshaw Layfield], for example, in 2004. It has been done, and it has been done successfully. With Vince, I think he’s like a genius. A lot of times Vince will plan something for me and ahead of time I’m thinking, ‘Oh man, this will never work.’ And then I do it and the reaction is insane. I’m like, ‘Man, I’ve got to give it to you.’ He really does know what works.”
We’re talking Jinder Mahal’s big WWE Championship win and more on the latest episode of Still Real Radio. You can check subscribe to the show on iTunes and you can also listen to the latest episode below.
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