Former WWE star Shanky has spoken out against online claims of racism in WWE, saying his backstage experience was actually very positive.
Shanky signed with WWE in early 2020. He made his in-ring debut at WWE Superstar Spectacle in 2021, teaming with Rey Mysterio, Ricochet, and Giant Zanjeer to win a match against a team that included Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro.
A few months later, Shanky moved to RAW alongside Mahal and Veer Mahaan. The trio later shifted to SmackDown during the 2021 WWE Draft and became regular faces on TV.
As time went on, Shanky became known for his dancing segments and entertaining moments with ring announcer Samantha Irvin. Although there were mixed opinions on the gimmick, it helped him stand out.
Shanky returned one last time in 2023, where he challenged Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship but came up short. WWE released him later, ending his three-year run.
Shanky reveals how WWE veterans treated him behind the scenes
During a recent interview with F4WON, Shanky talked about his journey from a small town in India to performing on WWE’s biggest shows.
According to Shanky, the locker room atmosphere was friendlier and supportive than many fans think. He said top stars like Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins treated him with respect right away.
“So when I went backstage, Roman [Reigns] was there… Seth Rollins, everyone was there. You know, like, we’re all in the same place, eating together at catering. There was no racism, nothing like, ‘Oh, you’re new, so you can’t sit at that table and eat.’ Nothing like that. Everyone was down-to-earth and humble. So, I mean, I’m telling you—it was beyond that,” Shanky said.
Shanky also talked about working with fellow Indian wrestlers Jinder Mahal and Veer Mahaan during his time. He especially praised Mahal for helping him settle into WWE.
“You can call him [Jinder Mahal] a mentor, an elder brother—he supported us completely. So that was really good for me,” he said.
Since leaving WWE, he has stayed active on the independent wrestling scene.
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