Jinder Mahal Details Scrapped Plans for Gimmick Match Against Roman Reigns

During Jinder Mahal’s nearly six-month reign as WWE Champion, the Punjabi Prison match was revived when he defended his title against Randy Orton at Battleground 2017. Mahal retained his championship with help from a returning Great Khali, marking the last time WWE used the Punjabi Prison gimmick. However, Mahal revealed that there were plans for another Punjabi Prison match after his bout with Orton, which never materialized.

Speaking with Maven Huffman on his YouTube channel, Mahal shared that he was slated to face Roman Reigns in the fourth-ever Punjabi Prison match. He also briefly recapped the first three matches within the structure.

“First time was supposed to be Great Khali and Undertaker. Great Khali couldn’t be in the match and Big Show was a substitute. Second time, Dave Bautista and Great Khali. Third time, myself and Randy Orton, and actually there was almost a fourth time. It was going to be myself and Roman Reigns in Chicago.”

Earlier this year, Mahal elaborated on the Punjabi Prison as a wrestling stipulation, expressing his dissatisfaction with the match against Orton. He described the gimmick as “terrible” and spoke about the physical pain he endured during the contest.

Mahal parted ways with WWE this past April as part of a series of talent releases following WrestleMania 40. Since then, the former WWE Champion has wrestled in promotions such as GCW and Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “Maven Huffman” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.