After quietly returning to action on a recent episode of Main Event, Jinder Mahal arrived back on RAW with a victory over Jeff Hardy on May 10th.
During Mahal’s return he was flanked by Dilsher Shanky and Rinku Singh as he looked to rebuild his career after a lengthy spell on the side-lines through injury.
The former WWE Champion followed up his in-ring return with an appearance on WWE’s The Bump. During the appearance Mahal went on the attack regarding the recent success of former 3MB partner Drew McIntyre.
In 2014 Mahal was released by WWE before returning to the company to claim the WWE Title in 2017. It was a move that McIntyre would replicate in 2020 after also being released by the company in 2014. Reflecting on the parallel between the two men’s careers Mahal questioned why McIntyre has been celebrated while he hasn’t.
“My problem is not with Drew… My problem is with the idea that Drew McIntyre was celebrated as a champion, like he overcame such enormous odds. Let’s back it up. Me and Drew were part of 3MB together. Me and Drew got released the exact same day. I made it back to WWE faster, better, I became WWE Champion faster than Drew McIntyre, yet I wasn’t celebrated.
“I was called the experiment or whatever, you know. I don’t have a book right now. Drew has a book, Drew is doing media nonstop, you know, this is one of the only times I’ve done media in the last few months. Why am I not celebrated the same way Drew McIntyre is celebrated? Our stories are parallel. You know, just because you don’t hear about my hardships in life doesn’t mean I’ve had an easy route to the WWE or becoming WWE Champion. I’ve had just as many challenges as Drew has had. Yet I’m not acknowledged, right?”
“The Modern Day Maharaja” continued, detailing how he paved the way for McIntyre to return and enjoy the success that he has.
“Why am I not celebrated?” asked Mahal. “I [came back and won the title] in better fashion then Drew. I bet if I didn’t become WWE Champion, Drew wouldn’t have. You know why? Because I showed him the way. I showed Drew the way. I laid the blueprint down for Drew. Drew followed the same game-plan that I did.
“…I’m injured, I’m on the side-lines, Drew is celebrated. How do you think that makes me feel? You talk about what motivated me through the rehab? That, Drew McIntyre motivated me.”
Mahal later went on to explain that he has returned with renewed confidence and he’s currently the “best version of himself.”
Drew McIntyre was last seen in action at WrestleMania Backlash. The Scottish Warrior challenged Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman for the WWE Title, but was unable to win back the gold.
H/t to Wrestle Zone for the transcription.