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Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal parted ways with the promotion on Friday. He previously had online heat with All Elite President Tony Khan, and now his former co-workers are reportedly joking about the AEW owner and The Modern Day Maharaja's future.
Mahal was released on Friday night during SmackDown, along with Veer Mahaan, Sanga, Xia Li, and Xyon Quinn. The former 3MB member signed a developmental deal in February 2010 and was released in June 2014. He re-signed in July 2016 and held the WWE Championship and the United States Championship on one occasion each.
According to PWInsider, there was great locker room sympathy for Mahal and Xia Li this past weekend. The 37-year-old was said to be "extremely well-liked" by others in the company.
Mahal's issues with Khan earlier this year went viral in a major way. Following Friday's release, some RAW and SmackDown talents reportedly had a running joke on how Mahal and Khan will be feuding on AEW Dynamite this summer.
Jinder also made headlines in January for his Day 1 segment with The Rock, which saw both veterans return to TV. Friday's departure led to a few locker room sources pointing out how Mahal went months without anything to do. When he was tapped for a promo segment with The Rock, he nailed his side of the deal, but the company never followed up despite the star being in great shape.
Speculation on WWE's future in India following releases
WWE has had major expansion plans for India in recent years, and that work was expected to really kick into high gear this year.
New internal speculation on WWE's approach to the key market emerged after Indus Sher, along with Xia Li and Xyon Quinn, was released on Friday night. The former tag team had been a three-man stable for months with Jinder Mahal, Veer, and Sanga.
A new report from PWInsider noted that all three Indus Sher members being released at the same time had others in the company wondering if WWE plans to approach India differently moving forward. The concern stems from how all three grapplers were used as ambassadors for the large Indian fanbase.
The company held Superstar Spectacle in September 2023 at Balayogi Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad, India. It remains to be seen how things pan out in the coming months.
