Jinder Mahal Discusses Facing Randy Orton at Battleground, Being WWE Champion, More

WWE Champion Jinder Mahal recently spoke with the Times Of India to promote his upcoming championship defense against Randy Orton in a Punjabi Prison match at this Sunday’s Battleground pay-per-view event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Wells Fargo Center. Here are the highlights.

On being WWE Champion:

“Holding the WWE title is a dream come true. It is a title that has been held by the likes Hulk Hogan, Bruno Sammartino and that is something I don’t take lightly. It is a huge opportunity for me and it allows me to represent India and it is a huge honor. I want to make my people back home proud of me and hold the championship belt for a long time to come.”

On his match at Battleground:

“I know it will be an intense match, I have made two changes to my workout plan. I have been doing a lot of body-weight exercises, I am doing pull-ups which my fans can see on my Instagram posts. I want to make sure that I maintain my strength and keep my body-weight as much as possible. I will need strength to climb up to the second cage and I know it will be a long match so I will need my stamina.”

On his creative control over his character:

“I do have creative control but also Vince gives advice and ideas and I take them. Vince has experience and he has made the biggest sports entertainment in the history. He has made WWE into a global phenomenon. I have a good relation with Vince, he trusts me on the microphone, with my matches, which will only increase with time. I personally want to seek Vince’s advice.”