WWE News: Jinder Mahal says he has not forgotten Rob Gronkowski

What's the story?

In an interview with Sports Illustrated WWE Champion, Jinder Mahal revealed that he had not forgiven New England Patriot's tight end, Rob Gronkowski and would make sure that he got his "receipt".

He talked about the American football star costing him the chance to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royale by interfering in the match and helping Mojo Rawley to win it.

In the interview, he also talked about his WWE release and how he made his way back to the company where he is now the champion.

In case you didn't know....

During the Wrestlemania 33 Kickoff show, in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royale, Rob Gronkowski interfered and attacked Jinder Mahal.

Jinder had been involved in a heated ringside confrontation with the American Football star and had thrown his soda in his face.

His interference in the match had resulted in Mojo Rawley winning the Battle Royale and Jinder missing out on the opportunity.

The heart of the matter

Jinder Mahal revealed in his interview with Sports Illustrated that he had not forgotten about the opportunity that Rob Gronkowski had cost him at Wrestlemania when he had interfered in the match, and that he was not going to let the matter just slide.

“Rob Gronkowski cost me the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, and I haven’t forgot that. There is definitely unfinished business between myself and Gronkowski, and I can guarantee he’ll be getting his receipt.”

The WWE Champions words were ominous and may have hinted towards a follow-up to the events that took place at Wrestlemania.

This would not be the first time that WWE has involved a celebrity or outside sportsperson in a storyline to draw mainstream attention.

The Champ had more to talk about though and he commented on how he had been depressed following his release from WWE, and said that he learnt from the experience and increased his focus in putting in a hundred percent.

“Of course I was disappointed. But I also learned that you get back what you put in. Before, I wasn’t giving it 100 percent, therefore I wasn’t getting back 100 percent. I regained my focus, I regained my drive, and I’m fortunate for every day that I’m in WWE."

After returning to WWE, Jinder has been focused and is now on an impressive run with the WWE Championship.

What's next?

Jinder Mahal is set to face Shinsuke Nakamura at Hell in a Cell on Sunday, where he will defend his WWE Championship. Rob Gronkowski is unlikely to be involved in WWE matters before Wrestlemania.

Watch Rob Gronkowski interfere in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royale!

Author's take

We may get to see Gronkowski involved in the storyline with Jinder Mahal somewhere down the line. The interview revealed that Jinder was certainly not done with "The Gronk", but it is unlikely the two will meet in an actual match. You never know with the WWE, though! WrestleMania sounds like the perfect platform for such a celebrity bout.

Gronkowski appearing on WWE would certainly help with WWE's falling ratings and help grab some mainstream attention for the product.