When did Jinder Mahal learn he was winning WWE title at Backlash?

Jinder Mahal shocked the WWE Universe on Sunday when he defeated Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, and revealed when he found out he’d win.

“WWE Champion Jinder Mahal” is a phrase everyone is going to have to get used to saying, as the Maharaja defeated Randy Orton at Backlash on Sunday night to win SmackDown LIVE’s biggest prize.

The move definitely shocked fans in attendance and watching at home, and in an interview after his big win, Mahal said the move shocked him too, as he found out very late that he’d go over in the match.

In an interview with Sportskeeda after the win, Mahal said he found out on Sunday that he’d be winning later on in the night in Backlash’s main event. Apparently the bold move was worth it, as the new WWE Champion said WWE Chairman Vince McMahon was in a good mood after the event concluded.

“Vince was very happy,” Mahal said. “He was really proud of me because Vince knows how much work I’ve put in.”

Mahal said he promised his best for McMahon, and it looks like all his hard work finally paid off with his first WWE title win. Mahal has had a rapid rise to the main event scene, after being a jobber to Mojo Rawley and Rob Gronkowski just a month and a half ago at WrestleMania, and he said in the interview that he hopes to continue improving.

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“I told Vince, ‘Hey Vince, my goal is to come back every week and improve,” Mahal said. “‘Every time you see me perform I’m going to get better on the mic, going to get better in the ring and I’ll be in better shape every week.’”

Good for Mahal for putting in the effort and getting rewarded for it, and it’ll be interesting to see what’s next for the blue brand’s newest champion.