Jinder Mahal Reveals If AEW Has Contacted Him Since Leaving WWE

Raj Dhesi, best known as Jinder Mahal in WWE, is embracing life after his release from the company in April 2024. Since becoming a free agent 90 days later, he’s been making independent appearances, including a recent match at FSW Breaks Convention V on February 15. But while fans have speculated about a possible move to AEW, Dhesi says nothing is in motion—at least not yet.

Speaking with Monopoly Events’ Jamal Niaz at For The Love of Wrestling, Dhesi was asked if AEW has ever reached out to him. “AEW, not at an official level. Nobody has on a really official level,” he admitted, before making it clear that he’s in no rush to sign anywhere.

“Myself, at this time, I’m just enjoying myself. I was under contract for so many years, and the WWE schedule right now, I wish we would have had this schedule now with less emphasis on live events because we were worked pretty heavily. Our schedules were quite intense with live events in the United States, North America, then coming overseas quite a bit, all over the world.”

Dhesi isn’t ruling out a return to a major promotion, but for now, everything would have to align perfectly. “As far as signing with another major promotion, everything would have to be right. Storyline, business would have to make sense. Everything would have to make sense,” he explained.

Despite his current focus on life outside of wrestling, Dhesi hasn’t completely stepped away from the business. He’s been active on the independent circuit, but he’s also branching out into new ventures, including film. “I just filmed a movie last week. I’m just excited to have freedom and I do whatever makes me happy,” he shared.

Dhesi also has a history with AEW’s Tony Khan, having famously gotten into a social media exchange with him over HOOK. Whether that history leads to something more remains to be seen, but for now, he’s enjoying the flexibility of life outside of WWE.