Wikipedia

The Great Khali

Dalip Singh Rana(born 27 August 1972) is an Indian-born American[7]retiredprofessional wrestlerandwrestling promoterbetter known by hisring nameThe Great Khali.[8]He is best known for his tenure inWWEwhere he became the first Indian-bornWorld Heavyweight Championin history. He was inducted into theWWE Hall of Famein 2021.[9]

The Great Khali
Khali in 2011
Birth nameDalip Singh Rana[1][2]
Born(1972-08-27)27 August 1972(age 52)[1]
Dhiraina,Sirmaur,Himachal Pradesh,India[3]
Spouse(s)
Harminder Kaur
​
(m.2002)​
Children2
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)
  • Dalip Singh[4]
  • Giant Singh[1]
  • The Great Khali[5]
Billed height2.15 m (7 ft 1 in)[5]
Billed weight157.5 kg (347 lb)[5]
Billed fromPunjab, India[5]
Trained byAll Pro Wrestling[1]
Debut7 October 2000[1][6]
Retired27 April 2018[6]
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party(since 2022)

He made his professional wrestling debut in 2000. Before embarking on his professional wrestling career, he was anAssistant Sub-Inspector[dubious–discuss]ofPunjab Police.He has appeared in fourHollywoodfilms, twoBollywoodfilms and several television shows. He is the founder and head coach of India's largest professional wrestling promotion, Continental Wrestling Entertainment, founded in 2015.[10][non-primary source needed]

Early life

Rana was born in aRajputfamily[11]to Jwala Ram and Tandi Devi in theDhirainavillage ofHimachal Pradesh'sSirmaur district.[3][12]

One of seven siblings in a poor family, Rana had to do odd jobs to help his family make ends meet. He hasacromegaly,which among other symptoms causesgigantismand chin protrusion.[13]When Rana was serving as a security guard inShimla,he caught the eye of a police officer[specify]from the neighbouring State of Punjab who previously helped several employees of the Punjab Police to become international sportspersons,got him employed into the Punjab Police in 1993.[14]Although Rana was reluctant to leaveHimachal Pradesh,his brother[who?]was also offered a job in the Punjab Police,after his arrival in Punjab'sJalandhar,he trained in local gyms to become a wrestler[dubious–discuss]and soon was selected for specialised wrestling training in the United States.[15]

Professional wrestling career

See also:Professional wrestling in India

All Pro Wrestling (2000–2001)

Under the ring name Giant Singh he first became a professional wrestler forAll Pro Wrestling(APW) in the United States, making his first appearance in October 2000 when teaming withTony Jonesagainst the West Side Playaz.[1]In 2001, Rana was involved in the death of an APW trainee, Brian Ong, when he performed a wrestling manoeuvre on Ong, who had already suffered a concussion. No charges were filed against Rana, however, APW was found liable for Ong's death, and a jury ordered the promotion to pay the Ong family $1.3 million.[16]

World Championship Wrestling (2001)

When Rana came to San Francisco, he signed a contract withWorld Championship Wrestling(WCW) and spent eight months there, until WCW was bought by their rival promotion, World Wrestling Federation (WWF).[17]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2001–2002)

As Giant Singh, he received an offer fromNew Japan Pro-Wrestling(NJPW) by Team 2000 leader,Masahiro Chono,along with another big man,Giant Silva.[1]They were the tallest tag team in professional wrestling history at an average height of 7 foot 1 inches and a combined weight of 805 pounds, teaming up for the first time at theTokyo Domein October when labelled as Club 7 by Chono defeatedHiroshi Tanahashi,Kenzo Suzuki,Wataru InoueandYutaka Yoshiein ahandicap Matchwhen SilvapinnedTanahashi and Inoue at the same time.[18]Singh suffered his first loss in atag team matchatWrestling World 2002in January 2002 afterHiroyoshi Tenzanpinned him with acradle.[19]Singh suffered another big tag defeat during March, being pinned byManabu Nakanishiafter aGerman suplexpin, though his most critical loss came in August at Tokyo Nippon Budokan, when after a falling out he was pinned by Silva in asingles match.[1]

Various promotions (2002–2006)

Starting in 2002, he also wrestled in the Mexican promotionConsejo Mundial de Lucha Libre(CMLL) and the Japanese promotionAll Japan Pro Wrestling(AJPW) until 2006, when he signed with WWE.[20]

World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE

Undefeated streak (2006–2007)

On 2 January 2006, Rana became the first Indian professional wrestler to be signed to a contract byWorld Wrestling Entertainment(WWE).[21]He was assigned to theirdevelopmental federation,Deep South Wrestling,[1]where he wrestled under his real name.[4]

The Great Khali in 2006

WithDaivarias hismanager,the unnamed Singh debuted on WWE television as avillainon 7 April episode ofSmackDown!,attackingThe Undertakerand leaving him defenceless during his match withMark Henry,thus causing ano contestruling.[22]The following week onSmackDown!he was introduced as The Great Khali and Daivari explained that he finally had a client who would destroy The Undertaker (afterMuhammad Hassanand Mark Henry had previously failed).[23]Khali made his in-ring debut on 21 April episode ofSmackDown!,defeatingFunaki.[24]

On 12 May episode ofSmackDown!,Khali wasJohn "Bradshaw" Layfield(JBL)'s hand-picked opponent againstWorld Heavyweight ChampionRey Mysterio(Khali had a height advantage of 21 inches and weight advantage of 250 pounds) and defeated Mysterio in asquash match.[25]In his match against The Undertaker atJudgment Dayon 21 May, Khali defeated The Undertaker with akick to the headafter receiving some illegal help from Daivari.[26][27]Khali continued on a rampage for several weeks, winning handicap matches,[28]beating wrestlers up in a display of power[29][30]and mocking The Undertaker's signature pin and victory pose.[31]

Khali then challenged The Undertaker to aPunjabi Prison matchatThe Great American Bash.[32]However, Khali was not medically cleared to compete in the match and was replaced byBig Show,who lost despite Khali's interference. After he was medically cleared, Khali was challenged by The Undertaker to aLast Man Standing matchatSummerSlamon 20 August.[33]The match was moved to theSmackDown!just prior to SummerSlam and was won by The Undertaker, giving Khali his first definite loss in WWE.[34]

The Great Khali and Daivari weremovedto theECWbrandofficially when they made their ECW debuts on 31 October episode ofECW on Sci Fi,when Daivari defeated "The Reject"Shannon Moorein a very quick match.[35]Afterwards, Moore was manhandled by Khali.[35]Daivari continued his ECW winning streak over the next several weeks with The Great Khali usually following up the contest with achokebombon Daivari's opponent. AtDecember to Dismemberon 3 December, Daivari got a victory overTommy Dreamerfollowing aroll-up.[36]Dreamer then chased Daivari backstage, but Khali appeared and caught Dreamer, planting him on the steel ramp with a chokebomb.

When Khali was drafted to Raw in 2007, he feuded withJohn Cenaover theWWE Championship,but he could not win the title.

On 8 January 2007 episode ofRaw,Jonathan Coachmanannounced that Khali had signed with Raw (without Daivari, who stayed on ECW) and would wrestleJohn Cenain themain event,which Khali won bydisqualificationafter Cena took asteel chairheld byArmando Estradaand hit Khali with it, though after the match he performed achokeslamon Cena and left the ringside area, leaving Cena prone to an attack byUmaga.[37]On 19 February episode ofRaw,Khali demanded better competition after easily defeatingThe Highlanders.[38]Four days later onSmackDown!,Khali interfered in aFalls Count AnywhereMoney in the Bankqualifying match betweenKaneandKing Bookerby costing Kane the match,[39]leading to a feud culminating in a match atWrestleMania 23,which Khali won in his first appearance atWrestleManiaafter slamming Kane with theKhali Bomband choking him with a hook and chain at the end of the match.[40]On 30 April episode ofRaw,Khali attackedEdge,Randy OrtonandShawn Michaels(all three top contenders to theWWE Championshipat the time) backstage.[41]Khali then attacked WWE ChampionJohn Cenaas well, sending a message that he wanted Cena's title.[41]The next week onRaw,Khali defeated Michaels in a number-one contender's match for the WWE Championship atJudgment Day.[42][43]At Judgment Day on 20 May, Khali lost viasubmissionfor the first time whentapping outto Cena'sSTFU,though Khali's foot was under the rope and unnoticed by the referee.[44]The next night onRaw,Khali expressed outrage over the outcome via his new translator and manager,Ranjin Singh.[45]AtOne Night Standon 3 June, Khali lost to Cena in a Falls Count Anywhere match after he was hit with anFUoff a crane bed, thus marking the first time Khali had been pinned in a singles match.[46]

World Heavyweight Champion (2007–2008)

On 11 June episode ofRaw,as part of the2007 WWE draft,Khali was drafted to the SmackDown! brand as the brand's first draft pick.[47]In July, Khali began afeudwithBatistaand the two were scheduled for a match atThe Great American Bash.[48]However, because Edgevacatedthe World Heavyweight Championship due to alegitimateinjury, a 20-manbattle royalwas held for the title on 20 July edition ofSmackDown!,which Khali won after eliminating both Kane and Batista in one move, winning his first World Heavyweight Championship.[49]Khali dominated and defeated both Batista and Kane in atriple-threat matchat The Great American Bash on 22 July.[50]Khali debuted a newfinishercalled theKhali Vise Grip(atwo-handed clawhold) which he used to wear down Batista, Kane, andRic Flair.

AtSummerSlamon 26 August, Khali lost by disqualification when he used a steel chair, but retained the title.[51]Khali then began a feud with Rey Mysterio after Mysterio won a Championship Competition to become the number-one contender, leading Khali to apply hisVise Gripon Mysterio on 7 September episode ofSmackDown!until Batista came to the rescue, withSmackDown General ManagerTheodore Longinforming Khali that he would have to defend the World Heavyweight Championship also against Batista in a triple threat match atUnforgivenon 16 September, where Khali's 61-day reign ended after receiving aspinebuster.[52]Khali challenged Batista to a rematch in aPunjabi Prison matchatNo Mercyon 7 October, which Khali lost by failing to escape the Punjabi Prison before Batista.[53]

In late 2007 and early 2008, Khali was put in a program withFinlayusually trying to assaultHornswoggle,but with Finlay stopping him. Khali participated in the SmackDownElimination Chambermatch atNo Way Outon 17 February, which was won by The Undertaker. AtWrestleMania XXIVon 30 March, Khali participated in a 24-man battle royal to determine a challenger forECW ChampionChavo Guerrero that evening, but the match was won by Kane. Khali then had a short feud with Big Show, culminating in a match atBacklashon 27 April, which Big Show won.[54]

In July, Khali feuded withTriple Hover the WWE Championship and on 25 July episode ofSmackDownhe won a battle royal also involving Big Show,Jeff Hardy,Montel Vontavious Porter,Mr. Kennedy,and Umaga for the right to face Triple H atSummerSlam.[55]At SummerSlam on 17 August, Khali lost to Triple H after receiving aPedigree.Khali was given another opportunity to win the WWE Championship when he faced Jeff Hardy to gain entry into thechampionship scrambleatUnforgivenon 7 September, but Triple H interfered in the qualification match and aided Hardy with a chair shot to Khali, helping Hardy win and eliminating Khali from title contention.

Punjabi Playboy (2008–2011)

Khali was accompanied by his translator and managerRanjin Singh

On 3 October, daredevilJohnny Knoxvilleaired an interview with Khali and his translator on his website, jackassworld.com, but when Knoxville asked about Khali's "taliwacker"he became upset and threatened to tip the interview table onto Knoxville.[56]Khali later invited Knoxville to attend 13 October episode ofRaw,where Knoxville was attacked by Khali,WWE DivaBeth Phoenixand Hornswoggle. Khali then took on a more fun persona and became afan favouritewhen he and Ranjin Singh hosted the weekly Khali Kiss Cam, where Singh would summon ostensibly random women from the audience to kiss Khali. In May 2009, The Great Khali feuded withDolph Ziggler,winning by disqualification after Ziggler attacked him with a steel chair.[57]As a result, Khali began coming out to the ring during and after Ziggler's matches, in attempt to gain revenge and to stop Ziggler from cheating.[58][59]Over the next few weeks, Khali lost to Ziggler by countout and disqualification after Ziggler made it look like Khali hit him with a steel chair.[60][61]AtThe Bashon 28 June, Khali lost to Ziggler by pinfall after Kane returned and attacked Khali.[62]It was later revealed that Ranjin Singh was Khali's brother, while the feud with Kane resulted in matches atSummerSlamon 23 August andBreaking Pointon 13 September, both of which Khali lost.[63][64]

Khali required knee surgery and Kane assaulted him with the ring steps during a match so Khali could have time off.[65]Whilst injured, Khali made a surprise appearance alongside Ranjin Singh,Ozzy Osbourneand his wifeSharonon 2 November episode ofRawas a judge for the Raw's Got Talent segment, in which he hit Chavo Guerrero with achop.[66][67]Khali made his official return on 14 December episode ofRaw,teaming withChristianand Kane to defeatEzekiel Jackson,Vladimir KozlovandWilliam Regal.

On 2 April episode ofSmackDownit was announced that Khali would take time off to spend time with his family and regroup his thoughts back in India, but he made an appearance as Khaluber (Khali dressed asMacGruber) on 19 AprilRawby teaming up with special guest hostWill Forte(as MacGruber) in a handicap match against Vladimir Kozlov which they won by intentional countout.[68][69]As part of the2010 WWE supplemental draft,Khali and Ranjin Singh were both drafted back to the Raw brand.[70]After returning from his hiatus the previous month, Khali was announced by John Cena to be a part of his team along withBret Hart,Chris Jericho,Edge,John MorrisonandR-Truthto faceThe NexusatSummerSlamon 15 August, but on 9 August episode ofRawhe was assaulted and injured by The Nexus, thus removing him from the match. Following the attack, Khali took another hiatus to compete inBig Boss,in which he was the runner up on.

Khali made his return at the2011 Royal Rumble,but was eliminated shortly byMason Ryan.On 14 March episode ofRaw,after Khali defeatedThe Mizby disqualification, Miz assaulted Khali with a steel chair, injuring him. Khali won an interbranddark matchbattle royal atWrestleMania XXVIIon 3 April.[71]On 26 April, Khali was drafted back to SmackDown as part of the2011 supplemental draft.Khali returned on 29 April episode ofSmackDown,talking backstage withJinder Mahal,who made his WWE debut that night. On 2 May episode ofRaw,Khali dressed up as theTooth FairyatThe Rock's birthday party. On 6 May episode ofSmackDown,Mahal—unimpressed by how Khali and Ranjin Singh have been partaking in childish activities instead of winning matches—confronted Singh about his mismanagement of Khali. Mahal then interrupted a Khali Kiss Cam segment the following week onSmackDown,slapping Khali twice. On 20 May episode ofSmackDown,Mahal interrupted Khali's match againstJey Uso,which led to Khali leaving the ring to confront Mahal, who then slapped Khali again, which made Khali re-enter the ring, defeat Jey Uso and then assaultJimmy Usoafter the match.

On 27 May episode ofSmackDown,after being defeated by Kane, Mahal came out and shoved Ranjin Singh and then Khali used hisVise Gripon Singh, thus forming an alliance with Mahal and acting as Mahal's bodyguard, assaulting Mahal's opponents after his matches. On 1 July edition ofSmackDown,Ranjin Singh revealed that Mahal was theirbrother-in-lawand that if Khali did not obey Mahal, then he would divorce Khali's sister and put his family back into poverty. On 9 September episode ofSmackDown,Khali and Mahal went againstWWE Tag Team ChampionsAir Boom (Evan BourneandKofi Kingston) in a losing effort after Khali pushed Mahal, allowing Kingston to hit his finishing move onto Mahal and after the match he walked away from Mahal, thus ending their alliance.[72]On 23 September episode ofSmackDown,Khali defeated Mahal. On 30 September episode ofSmackDown,Khali was defeated by World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry, who after the match "fractured" Khali's fibula with a steel chair.

Various alliances and final feuds (2012–2014)

Khali at a WWE live event in 2013

On 29 January 2012, Khali returned to WWE at theRoyal Rumbleas the number 15 entrant in theRoyal Rumble match,eliminating Ezekiel Jackson and Jinder Mahal before being eliminated byCody Rhodesand Dolph Ziggler.[73]Khali returned on 3 February episode ofSmackDown,savingJustin Gabrielfrom Rhodes,Hunicoand Hunico's bodyguardCamacho,then being announced as the replacement to Mark Henry in the Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship at theElimination Chamberpay-per-view event.[74]At Elimination Chamber on 19 February, Khali failed to capture the World Heavyweight Championship after being eliminated first by Big Show.[75]On 23 March episode ofSmackDown,Khali was added to Theodore Long'sWrestleMania XXVIIIteam, but they were defeated byJohn Laurinaitis' team on 1 April.[76]In July it was announced that Khali was undergoing surgery for a benign tumor found in his pituitary gland due toacromegaly.[77][78]The Great Khali officially returned to Friday Night Smackdown on 2 November 2012 againstDavid Otunga.Khali returned at theSmackDowntapings on 16 October in a match taped forSaturday Morning Slam.[79]

On 26 December episode ofMain Event,Khali won a 20-man battle royal to become the number one contender to theUnited States Championship.[80]Khali received his title shot on 2 January 2013 episode ofMain Event,but was defeated by defending championAntonio Cesaro.[81]On 27 January, Khali competed in the2013 Royal Rumblematch, but was eliminated byDaniel Bryanand Kane.[82]In late 2013, Khali began teaming withSantino Marellaand resumed being managed by Hornswoggle after they defeatedHeath Slaterand Jinder Mahal on 27 September episode ofSmackDown,but atBattlegroundon 6 October they were defeated by Cesaro andJack Swagger.On 26 January 2014, Khali participated in the2014 Royal Rumblematch, but was eliminated byThe Shield.[83]

AtWrestleMania XXXon 6 April, Khali competed in theAndré the Giant Memorial Battle Royal,but failed to win.[84]Khali participated in theIntercontinental Championshipbattle royal atBattlegroundon 20 July, but the match was won by The Miz.[85]On 31 October edition ofSmackDown,Khali was defeated byRusevin what would be his final match in WWE until 2017. On 13 November, his contract expired and he left WWE.[86]

Sporadic appearances (2017–2023)

On 23 July 2017, Khali returned to WWE atBattlegroundas aheelto assistWWE ChampionJinder Mahalin aPunjabi Prison matchfor the WWE Championship. He helped Mahal by preventingRandy Ortonfrom escaping from the cage, thus Mahal escaped first and retained the title.[87][88][89]

Khali returned on 27 April 2018 atThe Greatest Royal Rumblematch, entering at number 45, and lasted for less than a minute, before being eliminated byBraun StrowmanandBobby Lashley.This was his final match for WWE so far.[90]

He was inducted into the prestigious WWE Hall of Fame in 2021.[9]

Khali made an appearance at theWWE Superstar Spectacle 2023event inHyderabad,Telangana,Indiaand stated that he had one final match in him.

Continental Wrestling Entertainment (2015–present)

In February 2015, Khali opened his own wrestling promotion and school inJalandhar,Punjab, the Continental Wrestling Entertainment (CWE), which held its first event on 12 December 2015.[91]In February 2016, he won the CWE World Heavyweight Championship.[92]His students such asDilsher ShankyandKavita Devisigned with WWE. As of 25 October 2022, Shanky is part of the main roster, while Kavita's contract ended. Both of them wrestled in Khali's promotion and won the CWE championship.[93]

CWE is the largest professional wrestling promotion in India, with over 4.38 million YouTube subscribers and 1.31 billion video views.[94][95][citation needed]

Death of Brian Ong

On 28 May 2001, Brian Ong died after receiving aflapjackwrestling move from Singh.[1]Ong had suffered a previousconcussionduring the session, but thetrainersgave him a lower evaluation for not avoiding injuries and told him to continue training. In addition, it was proven that Ong did not receive protective gear or supervision byAll Pro Wrestling(APW) staff and this second concussion ultimately proved fatal for him. As Singh inadvertently caused his death, Ong's family brought a lawsuit against APW.[1]APW was found liable for recklessness after less than a day of deliberations, awarding the Ong family for damages of over $1.3 million.[1]

Television and films

From October 2010 until the final in January 2011, Khali appeared on the television reality showBigg Boss,on which he finished as first runner-up. The show made special arrangements only for Khali, including a custom-made bed to fit him.[96]In March 2011, Khali had a brief cameo in episode 18 ofNBC'sOutsourced,and appeared on theDisney ChannelTV programPair of Kingsas Atog, a rock-smashing giant, in the episode "Fight School".[97]

Personal life

Rana married Harminder Kaur in 2002.[98]They have a daughter, born in February 2014, and a son born in November 2023.[99][100]

Having been a disciple of Indian spiritual guru Ashutosh Maharaj, Rana has been described as extremely spiritual and religious.[101][102]He meditates every day and abstains from alcohol and tobacco.[103][104]Initially, Rana suggested the ring name Khali after the Hindu goddessKali,who is associated with eternal energy.[21][105]He later clarified that the name The Great Khali was given to him by WWE in an interview given toIndia TVfor their showAap Ki Adalat.[106]

Rana's training schedule consists of two hours ofweight training,morning and evening, every day. Until his early thirties, Rana maintained his size on a mostly vegetarian diet, however he has since incorporated chicken and other meats in order to fulfill his protein needs.[107][108][109]

On 26 July 2012 it was reported that Rana underwent a brain surgery due to a tumor on hispituitary gland.[110]

Rana became a naturalised U.S. citizen on 20 February 2014.[111][7]He also holds anOverseas Citizenship of Indiacard.[112]

He joined theBharatiya Janata Partyon 10 February 2022.[113]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role
2005 The Longest Yard Turley
2008 Get Smart Dalip
2010 MacGruber Tug Phelps
2010 Kushti Ramakrishna
2010 Ramaa: The Saviour Vali
2012 HOUBA! On the Trail of the Marsupilami Bolo
2023 MR-9: Do or Die

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Aap Ki Adalat Guest -
2010 Bigg Boss Contestant Season 4runner-up
2011 Outsourced Fantasy Rajiv Season 1, episode 18
2012 Pair of Kings Atog the Giant Episode: "Fight School"
Comedy Nights with Kapil Guest Season 1, episode 165
Comedy Nights Bachao Guest Season 1, episode 43
2023 The Kapil Sharma Show Guest Season 3

Championships and accomplishments

Khali is a former World Heavyweight Champion, and the first Indian wrestler to win a World Title in WWE.

Bibliography

  • Bansal, Vinit K.; Khali, The Great (2017).The Man who Became Khali.New Delhi,India:Penguin Books.ISBN978-0-14-342623-3.
  • Nasrin, Taslima(2014).Khali Khali Lage.New Delhi,India: Ananda Publications.ISBN9788177561883.

See also

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