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Jinder Mahal finally had his ‘Wrestlemania moment’

Posted: Apr 21st 2018 By: Natalya Neidhart

Last week after WrestleMania 34, I had a chance to catch up with my good friend of more than a decade, Calgary’s Jinder Mahal. I asked Jinder what performing at WrestleMania meant to him. He said, “Wrestlemania 34 was a huge moment for me both professionally and personally. Although I’ve been part of WrestleMania in the past, I felt like I hadn’t yet had a “Wrestlemania Moment,” and this year’s event definitely gave me that career-defining moment. However, my ultimate goal is to main event WrestleMania!”

Jinder is in the best shape of his life, the results of committing himself to a strict diet and hard work and dedication in the gym. I asked him how important his diet and exercise regime have been to becoming successful:

“My rise in WWE was kickstarted by my physical transformation,” he told me. “My transformation represents more than what is just skin deep; it represents my motivation, drive and willingness to constantly improve. For this WrestleMania, I did an eight-week bodybuilder diet and exercise program, which was extremely difficult to do considering our travel schedules. I hired a professional coach, carried my pre-packaged meals with me in a cooler bag, and woke up early or stayed up late to ensure that I didn’t miss a meal or workout.”

I ask Jinder if it was his dream growing up to become a WWE Superstar:

“As long as I can remember, all I wanted to be was a WWE Superstar,” he answered. “At a young age, I was captivated by the larger-than-life personalities I saw on TV. Superstars such as Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, Razor Ramon, and of course Calgary’s own Bret “The Hitman” Hart. Later in my teenage years, I became a huge fan of Mick Foley, Steve Austin and The Rock. Little known fact; I showed up to my first day of training wearing The Rock’s shirt, and had shaped my sideburns exactly like his. How embarrassing!” Jinder told me that the Superstar of the past that he most aspired to be like the was Bret Hart. “He often faced bigger or stronger opponents, but always found a way to come out on top.

Thisinspired me to stay tough through hardships I faced growing up. Also, my Uncle, Gama Singh, a well-known wrestler from Stampede Wrestling, heavily influenced me. To this very day, I go to him for advice or to critique my matches. I believe he is one of the most underrated wrestlers of all time.”

I asked Jinder, who his dream rivalry is right now in WWE:

“Seth Rollins,” he said. “”The first-ever NXT Championship was decided in a match between myself and Seth Rollins. Unfortunately for me, Seth won that match and will always be known as the first-ever NXT champion. Seth would then go on and capture the WWE Championship, along with many other Championships in WWE. I would also eventually become WWE Champion.”

It is safe to say that Jinder has experienced his fair share of highs and lows in and out of WWE, but his work ethic, attitude and determination have taken him all the way to the top, right where he belongs.

Some people get discouraged by setbacks, while others, like Jinder, use it as motivation to be better, and work harder. To me, that encapsulates the spirit of WWE. Jinder is a force to be reckoned with in WWE.

I couldn’t be more proud of you, my friend!