Edge Compares Jinder Mahal to WWE Great

Jinder Mahal may not be your favorite champion of all time, but he's trending in the right direction. On a recent episode of E&C's Pod of Awesomeness, former WWE Superstar Edge fully supported the Modern Day Maharaja.

In fact, Edge saw a lot of Mahal's rival, Randy Orton, in the WWE Champion's current standing:

Up Next: Randy Orton's Advice to Jinder Mahal: Care Less

"Here's what people forget: that was Randy 15 years ago. That was Randy working Chris Benoit, teaming with Ric Flair, working against Shawn Michaels and [Chris] Jericho, and teaming with Batista, working against me. Like, he was working against guys that were much more experienced in that level on the card and he was thrust into that too. And, obviously, he swam like Michael Phelps with it."

Edge would go on to underline a subtle, yet significant, change in Mahal's work:

"You do see the confidence Jinder is gaining and the small time lapse of trying to think of what to do next instead of going with instinct are starting to happen. That instinct, and timing, and not second-guessing yourself is starting to assimilate in and you can see it happening."

More: Randy Orton and Jinder Mahal Will Enter the Punjabi Prison

Mahal's PPV matches with Orton have been exceptional, if not great. While the concept of Jinder learning from Orton the way the Viper learned from Shawn Michaels or Ric Flair, applies there's one big difference. Jinder is 30 years old, where Orton was 24 when he won his first WWE Championship.

Nonetheless, the fact the Mahal is showing signs of improvement is important. As a shock value champion, fans and wrestlers alike have gone out of their way to criticize Mahal and his surprise turn as Champion. Yet, the Mahal seems determined to get better.

As far as we can tell, WWE is invested in Mahal as it looks like his championship reign will last several months. Later in July, he's scheduled to fight Orton for the 3rd consecutive PPV in a Punjabi Prison match. Chances are, this will be the end of the feud, but maybe not the end of Mahal as champion. Stay tuned, folks.