Jinder Mahal

At 37 years old, Jinder Mahal has this physical status:

Yuvraj Singh Dhesi (born July 19, 1986) is a Canadian professional wrestler who appears on WWE under the ring name Jinder Mahal.

He is currently inactive due to a knee injury that began his career on the independent circuit, and made his WWE debut on the company's main roster in 2010.

Mahal formed the company 3MB with fellow wrestler Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre before being released from the firm in June 2014.

Mahal returned to WWE two years later with a dramatically improved physique and received a push following WrestleMania 33, culminating in a victory over Randy Orton at Backlash in May 2017 for the WWE Championship.

Mahal became the first wrestler of Indian descent to win the WWE Championship and the 50th WWE Champion.

After losing the title in November 2017, he later won the WWE United States Championship at the 34th edition of WWE's flagship pay-per-view tournament WrestleMania in April 2018.

In June 2019, he captured the WWE 24/7 Championship twice.

Early life

Yuvraj Singh Dhesi was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on July 19, 1986. He is of Indian Punjabi Sikh origins. He earned a bachelor's degree in communications and culture from the University of Calgary. Gama Singh, his uncle, was considered a hero in the original Stampede Wrestling and wrestled around the world (and briefly for the WWF, now WWE) in the 1980s.

Personal life

Dhesi, an Indo-Canadian from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, lives in Tampa, Florida, United States. He is fluent in English and Punjabi, his family's native Indian languages. Dhesi is a friend of mixed martial artist and fellow Indo-Canadian Arjan Bhullar. He is also a good friend of American professional wrestler Heath and Scottish professional wrestler Drew McIntyre, and he was also a groomsman at McIntyre's wedding.

Graham Sucha, a Canadian politician, wrote three papers before the Assembly in 2017, formally thanking Dhesi for winning the WWE Championship. Dhesi endorsed Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party for Prime Minister during the 2019 Canadian federal election.

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Professional wrestling career

Dhesi began his competitive wrestling career at the Martial Arts Fitness Center in Calgary, working with Rick Bognar. He debuted in Premier Martial Arts Wrestling (PMW) as "Raj Dhesi" and then went on to train with Allen Coage and Gerry Morrow, fighting in a resurgent Stampede Wrestling match with fellow future WWE wrestlers Natalya, Tyson Kidd, and Viktor. He won various tag team championships in Stampede and Prairie Wrestling Alliance (PWA), but he spent a large portion of his childhood working with his cousin Gama Singh Jr. They were both known as The New Karachi Vice and later as Sikh & Destroy after winning the PWA Canadian Tag Team Championship. He was the PWA Heavyweight Champion from 2008 to 2010 and spent time in Great North Wrestling (GNW), where he feuded with wrestlers such as Hannibal and Samoa Joe.

Dhesi attempted to qualify for WWE's youth division in the Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). He said that his Punjabi gimmick and advertisements made him stand out, and that "they like guys who speak different languages and have different designs." He signed a developmental contract with FCW under the ring name Jinder Mahal in February 2010 and spent a year at the club.

Mahal performed his televised WWE debut on SmackDown's April 29, 2011 episode, congratulating backstage fellow Indian wrestler The Great Khali and his boss Ranjin Singh while saying in Punjabi that he was both excited and excited to see Khali and Ranjin. Unimpressed by how Khali and Singh have been partaking in childish activities rather than winning matches, the Singh has come out as a heel this week. Mahal interrupted a Khali Kiss Cam segment on SmackDown the next week, slapping Khali twice. Mahal interrupted Khali's match against Jey Uso on May 20 episode of SmackDown, resulting in Khali confronting Mahal. Mahal defeated Vladimir Kozlov on his first televised match on the SmackDown episode on June 17, and it was revealed that Mahal married Khali's sister, bringing them (kayfabe) brothers-in-law. On the September 5 episode of Raw, he suffered his first defeat when he and Khali lost to WWE Tag Team Champions Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston in a non-title match. They lost again to Bourne and Kingston, forcing Khali to pull out of Mahal after the match, thus ending their match. Mahal struck Khali during his match against Heath Slater, which Khali won by disqualification on September 16 episode of SmackDown. Mahal lost his first match to Khali on September 23 in a singles match. Mahal took part in a 41-man tournament royal, with Mahal making it to the final three before being eliminated by Randy Orton on October 14 of SmackDown.

Mahal criticized wrestlers who he felt were disrespectful or embarrassing in November, and a feud with Ted DiBiase emerged in November. Mahal snapped DiBiase's winning streak by submission on December 30th episode of Smackdown to put an end to the feud. Mahal attempted to make a name for himself by going after Sheamus, who was persistently insulting him, but was disqualified, and Sheamus continued to play in numerous tournaments, with Sheamus consistently winning Mahal, with Sheamus always getting the best of Mahal. He was defeated by The Great Khali at Mahal's first Royal Rumble on January 29, 2012, reigniting their feud and triggering a match on SmackDown's February 3 episode, which Mahal lost. Mahal played in and lost a battle royal match where the winner was expected to have a shot at the Intercontinental Championship or the United States Championship if he was eliminated by The Great Khali.

Mahal began combating multiple wrestlers, beginning with Randy Orton, who was interrupting one of his promos and being stabbed with an RKO in late April. Mahal confronted Kane on July 23, leading a team consisting of Camacho, Curt Hawkins, Drew McIntyre, Hunico, and Tyler Reks, claiming that none of them had been offered a chance within WWE and would make one by overtaking Kane, but The Brothers of Destruction opposed them and stifled their progress, but The Undertaker's sudden appearance ended the investigation. Mahal lost by count out and into a feud with him on July 27 on SmackDown, winning by deliberate countout and disqualification. Mahal requested a match against two local wrestlers in a match style similar to Ryback's, but they were disqualified quickly by submission. Despite this, Mahal maintained his feud with Ryback, raging him during their matches and after Ryback's, but was eventually pinned by Ryback on the August 24 episode of SmackDown to put an end to their feud.

Mahal was on the renamed NXT, where he started winning streak by defeating multiple wrestlers, including Derrick Bateman and Percy Watson. Mahal was inserted into the Gold Rush tournament on August 8 to crown the first NXT champion, where he defeated Bo Dallas in the first round. Mahal defeated Richie Steamboat in the Gold Rush Tournament's semi-finals on August 15th. Mahal was defeated by Seth Rollins in the finals of the Gold Rush Tournament on August 29th, snapping his NXT winning streak. Mahal qualified in the 16-man competition royal to become the top contender for the United States Championship at the Night of Champions pre-show on September 16, but Brodus Clay defeated him.

On the episode of SmackDown, Mahal and Drew McIntyre interfered in Heath Slater's match against Brodus Clay by attacking Clay. Mahal, Slater, and McIntyre's relationship were later identified as 3MB. 3MB won numerous games against Team Co-Bro (Santino Marella and Zack Ryder), and The Uso (Jey and Jimmy Uso), which were mainly due to unlawful interference. Mahal and Slater defeated Marella and Ryder when Mahal pinned Ryder at the Survivor Series pre-show on November 18, beating them at Marella and Ryder. The team of Alberto Del Rio, The Brooklyn Brawler, and The Miz defeated 3MB at TLC: Tables, Chairs, on December 16, 3MB. The following night on Raw at the Slammy Awards, there were 3MB lost to Del Rio, Miz, and Tommy Dreamer. Mahal started competing in the 30-man Royal Rumble match at the Royal Rumble on January 27, 2013, but Sheamus disqualified it. 3MB attempted to hurt Triple H on the SmackDown episode on April 12, but the Shield (Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins) denied it. On the 15th episode of Raw, 3MB announced The Shield but Brock Lesnar was the first to strike the company. On September 15, 3MB (Drew McIntyre and Heath Slater) competed in a top-one contenders tag team turbulence match for the WWE Tag Team Championship, where Tons of Funk (Brodus Clay and Tensai) was the last team eliminated by Tons of Funk.

3MB began using new ring names against their opponents in late 2013, but their misfortunes and amount loss stayed the same. Mahal took part in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania XXX on April 6, but Mark Henry was disqualified. 3MB formed an alliance with Hornswoggle in April to rival Los Matadores (Diego and Fernando). Mahal was fired from his WWE contract on June 12, according to his.

Dhesi fought for Reality of Wrestling (ROW) under the name Raj Singh at their summer iPPV, ROW Summer of Champions 2014, defeating Jasper Davis. Singh defeated Kyle Sebastian and Collin Cutler in the ASW Tag Team Championship on October 24 in Vancouver, BC, with his cousin Gama Singh Jr. assisting him. He appeared in Puerto Rican wrestling council (WWC) against local celebrity Ray Gonzalez between 2014 and 2015. He also competed in the Qatar Pro Wrestling (QPW) Souq Waqif Championship tournament in April 2015, where he finished as the first runner up. Singh made his Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) debut on May 5, losing to Wang Bin. He competed in 2016 for The Great Khali's wrestling competition Continental Wrestling Entertainment (CWE) in India.

Mahal said in a 2017 interview with Chris Jericho of Talk is Jericho that he "hit rock bottom" during his time in the independent circuit. He also claimed that he stopped drinking alcohol and began working out and eating cleaner, losing 20 pounds in the process, two months before WWE asked him to return.

Mahal re-signed with the WWE on July 27, 27. Mahal's return to television with Heath Slater on August 1 was a triumph of raw material until Raw General Manager Mick Foley told them that they would face each other in a match for a Raw deal, which Mahal won. Mahal began losing to Neville, Sami Zayn, and Darren Young throughout the month. Mahal's adopted the gimmick of a "man who comes in peace" to promote peace and stability. Mahal said he had "felt indignation and rage" after leaving WWE and had now "discovered inner calm" before defeating Jack Swagger on the September 12 episode of Raw. Mahal's later years became a member of The Big Event and Superstars, where he traded victories and losses against Darren Young.

Mahal formed a relationship with Rusev on the 19th episode of Raw after Mahal experienced a confrontation with Rusev's rival Enzo Amore before attacking Amore. In a 2-on-1 handicap match, Raw, Mahal, and Rusev defeated Amore's tag team partner Big Cass on January 2, 2017. After Michaels played the Sweet Chin Music on Rusev, which distracted Mahal, Mahal lost to Cass the following week. (Who had Shawn Michaels at ringside). Rusev inadvertently distracted Mahal, causing the two to lose to The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Rusev Woods), on the episode of Raw, Mahal and Rusev on February 27. Mahal and Rusev's friendship came to an end at Fastlane on March 5, when Mahal informed Raw General Manager Mick Foley of his desire to return to singles competition, causing Foley to place the pair in singles matches that night, with both Mahal and Rusev losing their respective matches against Cesaro and Big Show. Rusev sustained a legitimate shoulder injury and was unable to recover, so this was done.

Mahal was the runner-up in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on April 3 at the WrestleMania 33 preshow, but Mojo Rawley defeated him last by Rob Gronkowski, who was pushed out last by Mojo Rawley. Mahal was taken from SmackDown as part of the Superstar Shake-Up on April 11, 2006. He lost to Rawley after another piece of interference from Gronkowski to bring an end to their feud.

Mahal defeated the Singh Brothers, Mojo Rawley, Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, Luke Harper, and Sami Zayn on April 18 of SmackDown Live, the Singh brothers, Mahal's new allies, also included Mojo Rawley, Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, Luke Harper, and Sami Zayn. Mahal smuggled WWE Champion Randy Orton, taking the championship belt and costing Orton's match with Bray Wyatt at Payback on April 30. SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon ordered Mahal to reclaim the title belt on May 2 on SmackDown Live. Mahal won the match on SmackDown later this week after defeating Sami Zayn and pining Randy Orton later in the episode. Mahal won the WWE Championship on May 21 (his first appearance in WWE), becoming the 50th recognized WWE champion and the first of Indian descent. Orton invoked Money in the Bank on June 18 after Mahal hosted a Punjabi celebration for his WWE Championship win; with WWE Hall of Famers Bob Orton Jr., Ric Flair, and Sgt. Mahal beat Orton in his first title defense, killing him at ringside. McMahon agreed to another match, but Mahal would stipulate the stipulation, which was revealed to be a Punjabi Prison match. With Mahal referring to The Great Khali as his "personal hero," Khali returned to Battleground on July 23 to help Mahal beat Orton and keep the title.

Baron Corbin, who had just lost to John Cena by disqualification, was able to put money in the Bank contract on Mahal on August 15th. Mahal stayed the reign by defeating a disinterested Corbin with a roll-up. Mahal ignited a feud with Shinsuke Nakamura over the championship in the coming weeks, retaining the title against him at SummerSlam on August 20 after The Singh Brothers intervened. Mahal defeated Nakamura once more in a rematch between the two teams, which took place at Hell in a Cell on October 8. Mahal challenged Universal Champion Brock Lesnar to a match on Survivor Series on October 17; however, Mahal lost the WWE Championship to AJ Styles on November 7 of SmackDown Live, snaping his reign at 170 days. Mahal won a rematch against Styles at Battle of Champions on December 17, but he was disqualified by submission. Mahal's rematch with Styles for the WWE Championship raged on television shows throughout December and January, despite not achieving success.

Mahal was quickly integrated into the United States Championship picture after former champion Dolph Ziggler vacated the position on the December 19 episode of SmackDown Live, shortly after dropping the WWE Championship. In the first round and semi-finals, he participated in an eight-man tournament to crown a new champion. Bobby Roode was assaulted by the Singh brothers. Mahal lost in the finals to Roode the following week. Mahal defeated Big E and Xavier Woods at number 17 on January 28, defeating Kofi Kingston and ending in a Rumble match. Mahal and Bobby Roode and Randy Orton got into a brawl on February 20 of SmackDown Live. Mahal, who beat both Roode and Orton, has pleaded that he be the United States Champion on the Fastlane preshow. Mahal came out to taunt Orton after the United States Championship was over the weekend, but Mahal and Orton were given a Glorious DDT by former champion Bobby Roode. Orton was supposed to defend the United States Championship at WrestleMania 34 in a triple threat to Mahal and Roode on March 20 episode of SmackDown Live. Mahal teamed up with Rusev to defeat Roode and Orton over the weekend, resulting in Rusev's callout. Mahal pinned Rusev to win the United States Championship at WrestleMania 34. Mahal was traded back to Raw as part of Superstar Shake-up on April 16, taking the United States Championship with him. He lost the championship to Jeff Hardy on the same night, but ended his reign at just 8 days. Mahal failed to win the United States Championship from Hardy back on April 27 at the Greatest Royal Rumble event.

Mahal was refused admission to the triple threat money match by General Manager Kurt Angle on May 7's episode, which culminated in Mahal interfering and costing Roman Reigns the match later that night. Mahal was due to face Bobby Lashley and Elias in another triple threat Money match, but Reigns had him suspended before the game. Mahal lost to Reigns at Money in the Bank.

Mahal recovered as the "guy who comes in peace" and deposed Chad Gable the night before on Raw, Mahal emerged as the "guy who comes in peace" and stunned Chad Gable. Mahal was inserted into the competition between Braun Strowman and Kevin Owens in July, defeating Strowman by countout and disqualification after Owens' distractions. When Strowman and Finn Bálor pinned Mahal, they were defeated by Strowman and Owens on August 13. Mahal took part in the second iteration of the WWE Mixed Match Challenge in September, teaming up with Alicia Fox as "Mahalicia." The pair lost all of their matches save for the final one, in which they defeated Bobby Roode and Natalya to advance to the playoffs as the lowest ranked team on Raw. Curt Hawkins and Ember Moon's top-ranked squad was defeated in the quarterfinals after Mahal pinned Hawkins. Mahal and Fox qualified for the finals by defeating Apollo Crews and Bayley in the semi-finals. Mahal and Fox lost the final to R-Truth and Carmella at the TLC pay-per-view on December 16, the last time Mahal and Fox had lost to R-Truth and Carmella.

Mahal appeared in the Royal Rumble game on January 27, 2019, gaining number 7 before being eliminated by Johnny Gargano. Mahal took part in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 35, but did not win. Mahal was moved to the SmackDown brand as part of Superstar Shake-up. In his first match back on SmackDown's April 23 match, he was supposed to face Chad Gable, but Lars Sullivan was blindsided. Mahal won the 24/7 Championship after a pinning champion R-truth on a golf course, but then had the title stripped right back to Truth right afterward due to Carmella's distraction. Truth took the title by pinning him on an airport tarmac, becoming a two-time 24/7 champion, but Truth claimed the title just four days later when he pinned a sleeping Mahal inside. Mahal sustained a knee injury on June 28, and WWE announced that the injury would keep him sidelined for six to 12 months. Mahal was introduced to the Raw brand as part of the 2019 draft. Mahal's return from injury, now sporting a shaved head, defeated Akira Tozawa on April 27, 2020. Mahal underwent another surgery to resolve knee pains a month later.

Mahal returned to the Superstar Spectacle on January 26, 2021, but losing to Drew McIntyre and Indus Sher (Rinku and Saurav) in a six-man tag team match after a nine-month absence, but losing to Drew McIntyre and Indus Sher (Rinku and Saurav). He appeared on the May 3 episode of Main Event, alongside Shanky and Veer, where he defeated Jeff Hardy. Mahal will launch a feud with Drew McIntyre in June, after Mahal accused him of the number of titles he had earned in the previous year. Mahal participated in the iconic match against McIntyre with Shanky and Veer pulling him away from the match. The following night, Raw, Mahal, Shanky, and Veer gloated over the fact that McIntyre was costing him, but McIntyre was only able to strike all three of them with a steel chair. Mahal lost to McIntyre at SummerSlam.

Mahal and Shanky were drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the 2021 Draft, but Veer remained on the Raw brand, breaking their relationship with Veer. Mahal qualified in the King of the Ring tournament in October, defeating Kofi Kingston in the first round but losing to Xavier Woods in the semi-finals. Mahal was expected to be involved in the Survivor Series, but was turned down. Mahal was supposed to face Ricochet for the Intercontinental Championship on April 15 on SmackDown, but was dissatisfied. Mahal and Shanky slammed The Viking Raiders as part of The New Day's trap and then proceeded to celebrate in the ring, but Mahal's face was perhaps hinting at a face change for Mahal.

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