Tag: raj dhesi

Jinder Mahal reveals biggest regret in wrestling career and Vince McMahon’s advice

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Jinder Mahal (real name Raj Dhesi) reflected on what held him back in WWE as a performer and what areas Vince McMahon urged him to refine. 

In a blind Q&A on Instagram, Mahal’s wife, Priya Patel asked him about the one biggest regret he’s had in his wrestling career. He revealed holding back on his wrestling style and attempting something new to evolve. He also mentioned McMahon instructing him to better his work holds but his current work on independent promotions helped him hone and experiment on new skills. 

“I boxed myself in too much. My wrestling style, in my character, I didn’t like once in a while pull out something new. My goal was always build a comeback for the babyface, more excitement for the babyface. And in doing so I kinda hurt myself in a way. That was actually what Vince (McMahon) wanted me to wrestle like just work holds. I should’ve evolved that into something else. But now that I’m actually like on the independents, I’m away from WWE. I show a different side of myself. I can finally be a babyface and try different things. And just really have fun.”

Mahal’s second return to WWE in 2016 ultimately pushed him to win the WWE Championship in 2017. Seven years later he was released again. 

Since then Mahal has been competing on varied promotions including Game Changer Wrestling, Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling and made his Wrestling Xtreme Mania (WXM) debut in India in 2025. 

Former WWE wrestler Jinder Mahal undergoes surgery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Raj Dhesi — best known for his time in WWE as Jinder Mahal — is recovering from surgery.

The former WWE Champion revealed on Instagram that he underwent a knee scope to remove two loose bodies and trim his meniscus. A scope is less invasive than traditional surgery — and Dhesi has already started the rehab process.

“2 loose bodies removed + meniscus trimmed,” he wrote. “Surgery went well, now comes the recovery.”

Dhesi was released from his WWE contract in April 2024, ending his second stint with the company. The 39 year old competes on the indies globally as a free agent. He was active as recently as October 17, when he faced Matt Riddle at a show for Dungeon Wrestling in Canada. Dhesi retained the promotion’s Stu Hart Heritage Championship in that match.

After being released by WWE for the second time, Dhesi said he still has many goals he wanted to accomplish in wrestling and places he wanted to visit. His WWE runs took place from 2010-2014 and 2016-2024, with the latter including one reign as WWE Champion.

Lucha Libre AAA vacates Tag Team titles

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Before even making their first defense of the belts, Raj Dhesi & Satnam Singh have vacated the AAA Tag Team titles.

Dhesi (former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal) & Singh were crowned the new champions in a three-way match at Triplemania Mexico City in August 2024. It was their first time ever teaming together — and the two have not teamed up anywhere since then. Lucha Libre AAA announced today that, due to their 214-day period of inactivity, the tag titles are now vacant with new champions to be crowned in the future.

Details regarding how the new champions will be determined have not been announced.

Negro Casas & Psycho Clown were the AAA Tag Team Champions prior to Desi & Singh, who won the belts at Triplemania Mexico City when Jeff Jarrett gave Casas a guitar shot. Dr. Wagner Jr. & Galeno Del Mal were the other team in the three-way match.

Desi is currently a free agent, while Singh is contracted to AEW.

Jinder Mahal makes surprise GCW debut

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal made his surprise GCW debut at Friday night’s So High event.

Mahal attacked Effy following an Effy & Cole Radrick vs. The Rejects match at So High, entering the ring wearing a mask. Mahal hit his Khallas finisher on Effy, then unmasked. Commentary referred to Mahal as “The Maharaja” Raj Dhesi, the moniker the former Mahal will be wrestling under in the next phase of his career.

Mahal was released by WWE in April of this year, ending his second stint with the company after nearly eight years. Mahal was also with WWE from 2010 to 2014 both in the FCW developmental system and on the main roster.

The 90-day non compete clause enacted after Mahal’s April release recently expired, and the former WWE Champion has announced both a series of independent dates, plus a date with AAA at Triplemania XXXII where he will team with Satnam Singh in a match for AAA’s tag titles.

Video from Mahal/Dhesi’s GCW debut is embedded below.