'Want to learn the secret to WWE longevity from Hulk Hogan', says Indian-origin wrestler Jinder Mahal

WWE star Jinder Mahal, aka Yuvraj Singh Dhesi, still remembers those words that the legendary Hulk Hogan tweeted for him. Mahal, who joined WWE in 2010, takes inspiration from Hogan, widely believed to be the greatest professional wrestler of all time, and is now geared up for the upcoming WWE Smackdown WrestleMania. An excited Mahal spoke to TimesofIndia.com and discussed his upcoming fight, the reason behind choosing his ring name - Jinder Mahal, his inspiration Hulk Hogan and much more.

(Photo Credit: WWE)What has Jinder Mahal's WWE journey so far been like?The journey has been long and has been rewarding. I've had many ups and downs in the WWE from debuting to being released to being signed back to becoming WWE Champion to where I am right now. I am about to go into the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 38 and need to really win this to gain some momentum again. So, I can again be in the picture for the WWE Championship, the Universal Championship, or the Intercontinental Championship. Also, my goal is to become tag team champions with Shanky or with Veer Mahaan. Your name is Yuvraj Singh Dhesi. Why did you choose the ring name - Jinder Mahal?In WWE, we play characters and the character that I chose to play is Jinder Mahal. The name Jinder Mahal is a strong Punjabi name. And the last name Mahal is a Punjabi last name, but it's something that everybody around the world can associate with India, with the Taj Mahal, so I chose that name. But also, my nickname is the Maharaja. I believe it's very important for me to display to the world, our Indian heritage, that we come from Kings and royalty. Maharaja is confident, he's not arrogant. Maharaja is motivated and he's a man of the people.

(TOI