Raj Dhesi, widely known in WWE circles as Jinder Mahal, recently shared his candid thoughts on All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and AEW President Tony Khan’s much-discussed viral tweet during an in-depth interview on the popular podcast “TMZ Inside The Ring.” Offering a nuanced perspective on AEW’s impact on the wrestling landscape and his personal wrestling journey, Dhesi shed light on the evolving industry and potential future matchups fans might look forward to.

In the interview, Raj Dhesi expressed his respect for AEW as a growing force within professional wrestling. While he emphasized that he has yet to receive any official contract offers from AEW, he acknowledged the promotion’s role in energizing the business. “AEW’s emergence has definitely shaken things up in the wrestling world,” Dhesi explained. “Tony Khan’s vision, combined with the roster they’ve built, has created an exciting product that fans are really gravitating toward”[3][1].

Addressing Tony Khan’s viral tweet—which sparked widespread discussion among fans and insiders—Dhesi described it as a testament to AEW’s fresh approach and willingness to challenge the status quo. This open dialogue in wrestling circles encourages competition and innovation, which he believes benefits the entire industry. According to sources close to Dhesi, he sees these moments as pivotal, helping to redefine wrestling narratives and fan engagement beyond WWE’s traditionally dominant presence.

Reflecting on his own path, Dhesi said the freedom he currently enjoys as a freelancer allows him to explore diverse wrestling scenes worldwide, from GCW in the U.S. to AAA in Mexico and promotions in Canada and France. “I’m really savoring this phase where I get to choose my matches and work on what makes me happy,” he shared in a February 2025 interview. Although re-signing with a major company like WWE or AEW is not off the table, it would require “everything to be right”—storylines, creative direction, and business sense all aligned to make sense for him personally and professionally[1][4].

When asked about potential AEW stars he would like to face, Dhesi mentioned several names, highlighting the talent and depth of the AEW roster. “Wrestling greats like Kenny Omega or MJF would be incredible opponents—matches fans would definitely enjoy watching,” he noted. His openness to facing AEW talent underscores his love for competitive wrestling and his belief in good storytelling regardless of promotion[3].

Looking back on his WWE career, Raj Dhesi reminisced about the rigorous schedule and opportunities that shaped his growth. Particularly, his 2017–2018 run as Jinder Mahal saw him wrestling over 300 matches under very demanding conditions. He contrasted that with today’s WWE schedule, which focuses less on non-televised live events. “I wish the current generation had our schedule—it was tough but it built character,” he added[1].

For Dhesi, wrestling is more than just a job; it’s a passion and a lifelong journey. Speaking about his ongoing commitment to the craft, he shared, “Wrestling has given me everything, and it’s my duty to give back, whether that’s through mentoring backstage or putting on great matches in the ring.” This dedication reflects his evolving role in the industry as he balances in-ring action with off-camera contributions[2].

Industry insiders note that Dhesi’s balanced and thoughtful takes on AEW and WWE reveal a professional willing to embrace the evolving wrestling landscape while honoring his roots. With AEW’s momentum and WWE’s storied legacy, wrestling fans are in for a fascinating era of competition and creativity.

According to a WWE insider, talks of Raj Dhesi returning to a major promotion are “very much dependent on timing and opportunity,” highlighting that his current freedom to pursue film projects and independent bookings suits his current career phase perfectly[1].

As AEW continues to make headlines and WWE innovates to maintain its leadership, voices like Raj Dhesi’s provide valuable context and perspective on what the future of professional wrestling might hold.

This article is based on Raj Dhesi’s recent interviews on “TMZ Inside The Ring,” reports on his freelance wrestling career, and insights from wrestling news sources, including WWE.com and Fightful. His reflections offer a window into the complexities of navigating today’s wrestling industry as a top-tier performer and a passionate ambassador for the sport.