Former WWE Champion reveals heartbreaking story about losing the only World Title he ever held: "Lost it the same way"
A former WWE Champion recently shared the story of how management informed him that he was losing the World Title. Jinder Mahal found out he was dropping the championship the same way he found out he would win it – on the same day.
The Modern Day Maharaja shocked the world at Backlash 2017 when he defeated Randy Orton to become the new WWE Champion. Mahal was also surprised about winning the title since he found out about it on the same day as the premium live event.
In an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the Calgary native shared the story of how he lost the WWE Championship to AJ Styles. He was told by Vince McMahon on the same day, November 7, 2018, that he'll drop the title later that night on SmackDown.
"I didn't know that I was losing the championship until the day of. We were in Manchester and we have the title match. We get to the building. Michael Hayes tells me and AJ, 'Go talk to Vince' and send us to Vince's office. Vince tells me, 'You're dropping the championship. Now you're going to chase it.' 'AJ, you're winning it tonight, you'll work with Brock at Survivor Series.' Then me and AJ at Night of Champions, one more championship match. And that was it. Yeah, I found out on the same day I'm winning it. Lost it the same way, found out the same day," Mahal said. [H/T: Chrisvanvliet.com]
Jinder Mahal would get a rematch for the WWE Championship against AJ Styles at Clash of Champions. However, Mahal fell short and lost to The Phenomenal One.
What's next for Jinder Mahal after his WWE release?
Jinder Mahal is currently using the ring name Raj Dhesi. Mahal will be back in action on July 26 for the first time since his WWE release. He will take on Kevin Cu for the Black Label Pro Championship at the Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago.
Mahal will also make his AAA debut at TripleMania XXXII in Mexico City on August 17. He is set to team up with Satnam Singh and will be managed by Jeff Jarrett for their three-way match against Negro Casas and Psycho Clown, and Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno del Mal for the AAA World Tag Team Championship.
According to Fightful, several other independent promotions such as Game Changer Wrestling and Absolute Intense Wrestling are interested in Mahal. Overseas promotions, mainly in his native Canada, are also reportedly interested.