Former WWE Champion Involved In Controversial Moment At Indie Show
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A mid-match walkout by former WWE Champion Raj Dhesi, formerly known as Jinder Mahal, at an independent event has been the subject of conflicting reports, with the latest suggesting the entire incident was a planned storyline.
Dhesi has been active on the independent scene since his WWE release, including a run in AAA. This recent appearance at a Battleground Championship Wrestling (BCW) event in May, however, caused significant confusion.
A Controversial Finish
In a match against deathmatch veteran MASADA, Dhesi walked out mid-bout, resulting in a count-out loss and reportedly leaving the venue altogether. The promoter initially claimed the walkout was due to issues with hotel bookings.
The story gained more attention after MASADA claimed on social media that Dhesi had arrived with a list of rules for what could and could not be done in their match. This painted a picture of a legitimate backstage dispute between the two performers.
More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation
Was It All A Work?
According to a report from Fightful Select, the entire situation may have been a planned angle from the start. Sources close to Dhesi insist that the walkout was a complete "work" orchestrated by the BCW promoter to generate buzz for the promotion.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA - NOVEMBER 16: A general view of the AAA Mexican Lucha Libre friday night show at the Movistar Arena during an AAA World Wide Wrestling match on November 16, 2018 in Bogota, Colombia.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA - NOVEMBER 16: A general view of the AAA Mexican Lucha Libre friday night show at the Movistar Arena during an AAA World Wide Wrestling match on November 16, 2018 in Bogota, Colombia.This news re-frames the incident from a backstage issue into a deliberate attempt to blur the lines between reality and storyline. Regardless of the reason, Dhesi is not currently booked for any future dates with the promotion.
Dhesi's Post-WWE Career
Mahal's career in WWE is marked by two distinct runs, with his major accomplishments coming during his second tenure with the company after a significant physical transformation. Mahal is also a former United States Champion. He won the title at WrestleMania 34 in a Fatal 4-Way match, defeating champion Randy Orton, Bobby Roode, and Rusev.
The controversial walkout comes after another notable event in Dhesi's post-WWE career. He and AEW's Satnam Singh won the AAA World Tag Team Championship in August 2024.
However, after 241 days of inactivity and never defending the belts, the pair were stripped of the titles by the promotion in March 2025. It will be interesting to see where Mahal goes from here in his pro wrestling career.
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