2024 started off with a bang for the WWE audience. On the Day #1 episode, fans got to see Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Jinder Mahal show up. After their brief spat, Mahal would attain a WWE World Heavyweight title shot, while Johnson teased a feud with Roman Reigns. However, Mahal would lose the match, and Johnson would feud with Cody Rhodes instead. Furthermore, the WWE released the Modern Day Maha Raja while The Rock would headline WrestleMania XL.
While the two men started off strong, one won the main event on the Show of Shows while the other earned his release. One WWE legend believes he knows why the WWE released the star.
Dutch Mantell claims the WWE holds prejudice against Indians leading to Jinder Mahal’s release
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On Story Time with Dutch Mantell, episode 98, Mahal and his WWE release was the topic. Having worked in the WWE during the time Mahal was present, he gave his opinion on the matter. As mentioned above, Mahal returned to the WWE on the New Year’s Day edition of Monday Night RAW. On April 19 the WWE released him. The promotion did not seem like they had any creative plans for the former WWE champion. However, according to Mantell, his ethnicity could’ve been the reason for his release. Mantell said, “Seriously, I detect some anti-Indian bias here. Because I think they’re prejudiced against Indian people.”
Prior to his release from WWE on Friday, Jinder Mahal was at #WWENXT recently and was “very helpful” and willing to give advice to anyone that wanted it.
– per @CoreyBrennanFF (@FightfulSelect) pic.twitter.com/GQ5KIaPH4w
— PW Chronicle (@_PWChronicle) April 20, 2024
While the WWE has shown no anti-Indian sentiment, they have pandered to the Indian audience. Mahal was part of the roster that visited Hyderabad, India, for the Superstar Spectacle in September 2023. However, the WWE didn’t have any plans for the star after his title match with Seth Rollins. Following the loss, he furthered his motivations by managing Indus Sher. The Indian tag team managed by the former WWE champion also earned their release recently. Mantell continued by suggesting a drastic measure. He said, “And I’d file a suit. That’s what I do.”
While Mahal’s ethnicity may not have been the reason for his release, it was clear the WWE had no plans to use him. The sudden push for a title match shocked fans, leading them to believe something big would happen. 2024 seemed to have been marked as the year Mahal would have his second WWE World Heavyweight title run. However, he lost to The Visionary and that would be his final match in the WWE before being released. What do you think? Does Mantell have a point? Was the fan reaction to Mahal’s return an indication of this sentiment? Tell us your thoughts in the comments down below.
