'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/2gAIAQEAAAAAjAX/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAECEAAAAC//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG/9oACAEDEAAAAE3/xAAhEAACAQMDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwIABBESFCIhIzGBkf/aAAgBAQABPwBduxsQdk1lkQYsVuz3iZagcHpADIHqmWN4GSC7aejPHnHx9r//xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgEEEf/aAAgBAgEBPwBbL7J//8QAGREAAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwABAgUS/9oACAEDAQE/ACV4sxdf/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Jinder Mahal is the Modern Day Maharaja, the current reigning SmackDown LIVE WWE Champion, and now, he's the subject of an excellent Facebook Live interview to promote the upcoming WWE tour of India.
During the interview the first WWE champion of Indian descent opens up about a whole host of things. In this article, we've listed the top five takeaways we have from what Mahal had to say.
#5 Jinder's tour opponent revealed - and it'll be a WWE title match
Interview host Mihir Joshi did not waste any time in introducing some exciting news for Indian fans of the WWE about the next live shows that will take place in the country.
"December 8th and December 9th, two blockbuster shows, in New Delhi Indira Ghandi Indoor stadium, tickets available, but more importantly, just announced today, my opponent in New Delhi, it will be a WWE championship match, against Kevin Owens."
This is an interesting revelation because it would appear that because his opponent is Kevin Owens, who is arguably the biggest heel in SmackDown LIVE at the moment (I think he's an even bigger heel than Jinder) that Jinder Mahal will be wrestling at the live events in India as a face.
Still, even I have to admit that a Jinder Mahal vs Kevin Owens WWE Title match is an exciting prospect and I'm sure the fans in India who manage to get tickets will be in for quite the match.
#4 Jinder Mahal vs The Shield
The Shield reuniting truly is worldwide news with the reunion of Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins coming up in a fan question to Jinder. However, the WWE champion was asked who he'd want to team up with in order to face the three 'Hounds of Justice' in a match.
"I would choose Drew McIntyre, my former 3MB stable-mate, just 'cause how he's reinvented himself, he's the NXT champion, and you know what, I'm going to chose another man who will be there in New Delhi, in December, actually the opponent of Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman."
If Jinder Mahal got his way he'd reform 3MB but swap out Heath Slater for Braun Strowman, and no offence to Heath, but that certainly seems like an upgrade. If I was the Singh Brothers, I'd be slightly disappointed.
Jinder then went on to reveal that in the world of Bollywood he'd pick Tiger Shroff and Akshay Kumar to be his tag team partners to face the Shield. I honestly don't know much about either so I'll trust Mahal's judgement on this one!
Also included in this answer is the sneaky reveal that Roman Reigns will be taking on "The Monster Among Men" at New Delhi during the two live shows, so the card is already coming together and Jinder was absolutely right when he said they were blockbuster shows.
#3 What is Jinder Mahal's dream Wrestlemania match?
So far this year, Jinder Mahal has wrestled against future WWE Hall of Famer Randy Orton and the world-renowned Shinsuke Nakamura, so he's definitely had his fair share of prestigious opponents. But if he had the choice who would Mahal choose as his Wrestlemania dream match opponent?
"It would be against Mr. Wrestlemania Shawn Michaels"
Mahal was also asked to choose a stipulation but resisted the temptation to add in a cage, or tables, ladders and chairs and opted just for a 1 on 1 with the Showstopper.
"You know what, I think I would have just a normal match, a straight up match, you don't need anything, nothing at all, I don't think"
To be honest I'm sure there are a ton of wrestlers out there who would jump at the chance to wrestle in a straight 1 vs 1 wrestling match with Shawn Michaels on the "Grandest Stage of Them All" so you definitely can't argue with Mahal. But what about the Punjabi Prison match that Mahal brought back recently?
"What a tough, tough match, the Punjabi Prison is unforgiving, it's solid steel. But there's a reason why I chose that match, no disqualification, no count counts, and I had a big, big surprise. It was very hard to do but he was hiding in the back, I don't know how I pulled it off. The Great Khali, India's very own former world heavyweight champion and someone who's like an older brother to me"
#2 Which current Superstars would Jinder Mahal love to face?
Mahal had previously revealed that he'd love to wrestle John Cena and he finally got to do that on SmackDown Live, as you can see in the video below.
But which other Superstars that are currently active in the WWE would the "Modern Day Maharaja" love to wrestle against?
"I would say, Brock Lesnar, Universal Champion, or Roman Reigns"
Mahal then went on to hint that maybe something could happen at some point between himself and "The Big Dog".
"Maybe, I'm sure it'll happen, bound to happen, you know, Roman Reigns claims it's his yard but I'm the Modern Day Maharaja"
All I really have to add is that I have no idea why people keep saying they want to wrestle Brock Lesnar, but if Mahal genuinely wants to get in the ring with "The Beast Incarnate" then I won't stand in his way.
#1 History will be made in New Delhi
Jinder opened up about his incredible transformation and all the hard work he had put in to improve his physique and his wrestling abilities. He also spoke about how it made him the 'hardest working man in the WWE' which is why he's the current WWE Champion and is about to make history in New Delhi.
He when on to say,
"History is going to made in December 8th and December 9th the first time ever an Indian WWE champion will defend this very title on Indian soil, it's a special, special moment. Do not miss this historic, historic night, I need all the support that night because I have a very tough opponent in Kevin Owens."
There's absolutely no denying that this truly is a big moment for Jinder Mahal, and for the WWE. Only two Indian wrestlers have ever held a top title in the company and the fact that one of those wrestlers gets to defend his title on Indian soil is testament to the progress the WWE is making in ensuring it's product represents more diverse performers and fans.
