Dalip Singh Rana[6] (born 27 August 1972),[3] better known by his ring name The Great Khali, is an Indian semi-retired professional wrestler, actor and powerlifter, best known for his time with WWE.
He debuted in WWE alongside Daivari and had alliances with Ranjin Singh and Jinder Mahal. However, he spent most of his career as a singles superstar; in 2007, he became the World Heavyweight Champion. Before embarking on his professional wrestling career, he was an officer for the Punjab state police.[7] He has appeared in four Hollywood films, two Bollywood films, and a handful of television shows.
Singh was born to a Punjabi Rajput family[8] in Dhiraina, Himachal Pradesh, the son of Jwala Ram (father) and Tandi Devi (mother). He has six siblings. Although his parents are of normal stature, his grandfather was well over 6 ft 6 inches tall.[9] Singh has acromegaly, a disease closely associated with gigantism that causes facial deformities, as evidenced by Singh's large brow, nose, chin, and ears.
All Pro Wrestling (2000–2001)
Under the ring name Giant Singh, Singh first became a professional wrestler for All Pro Wrestling (APW) in the United States, making his first appearance in October 2000, when teaming with Tony Jones against the West Side Playaz.[3]
New Japan Pro Wrestling (2001–2002)
In August 2001, Singh was brought into New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) by Team 2000 leader, Masahiro Chono, as Giant Singh, along with another big man, Giant Silva.[3] They were the tallest tag team in professional wrestling history at an average height of 7 foot 2½ inches, and a combined weight of 805 pounds. The two teamed up for the first time at the Tokyo Dome in October, labeled Club 7 by Chono, and defeated Yutaka Yoshie, Kenzo Suzuki, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Wataru Inoue in a Handicap Match when Silva pinned Tanahashi and Inoue at the same time.[11] Singh suffered his first loss in a tag match in January 2002 after Hiroyoshi Tenzan pinned him with a cradle.[12] He suffered another big tag defeat during March, being pinned by Manabu Nakanishi after a German suplex pin. His most critical loss came in August at Tokyo Nippon Budokan when, after a falling out, he was pinned by Silva in a singles match.[3]
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (2002)
On 7 April 2002, Giant made his debut for the Mexican Promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre Where he wrestled under the ring name Gigante Singh While teamed with Gigante Silva and were defeated by Black Tiger & Los Capos (Apolo Dantes, Cien Caras, Mascara Ano 2000 & Universo 2000) by DQ in a Five On Two Handicap Relevos Incredibles Match.[13] On 12 April 2002, In Singh's Last Match for the Promotion where he teamed with El Puma Inoue & Shibata and they were defeated by Dr. Wagner Jr., Gigante Silva & Shocker.[14]
All Japan Pro Wrestling (2003)
On 19 January 2003, Singh Made his debut for All Japan Pro Wrestling Where he teamed with Jan Nortje where they were defeated by Kevin Randleman & Mark Coleman in Giant First and Only Match for the Promotion also last Match Until 2006.[15]
World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE
On 2 January 2006, Singh became the first Indian professional wrestler to be signed to a contract by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE);[16] he was assigned to their developmental federation, Deep South Wrestling,[3] where he wrestled under his real name
Fued with The Undertaker (2006)
With Daivari as his manager, the unnamed Singh debuted on WWE television on the 7 April 2006 episode of SmackDown!, attacking The Undertaker and leaving him defenceless during his match with Mark Henry, and thus causing a no-contest ruling.[17] The next week he was introduced as The Great Khali. Daivari explained that he finally had a client who would destroy The Undertaker (after Muhammed Hassan and Mark Henry had previously failed).[18] Khali made his in-ring debut on the 21 April edition of SmackDown!, defeating Funaki.[19]
On the 12 May edition of SmackDown!, Khali was John "Bradshaw" Layfield's hand-picked opponent against World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio. Khali had a height advantage of 21 inches and a weight advantage of 250 pounds, and defeated Mysterio in a squash match.[20] In his match against The Undertaker at Judgment Day, Khali defeated The Undertaker with a kick to the head after receiving some illegal help from Daivari.[21][22] Khali continued on a rampage for several weeks, winning handicap matches,[23] beating superstars up in a display of power,[24][25][26] and mocking The Undertaker's signature pin and victory pose.[26]
Khali then challenged The Undertaker to a Punjabi Prison match at The Great American Bash.[27] However, Khali was not medically cleared to compete in the match, and was instead replaced by Big Show, who lost the match despite Khali's interference. After he was medically cleared, Khali was challenged by The Undertaker to a Last Man Standing match at SummerSlam.[28] The match was moved to the SmackDown! just prior to SummerSlam and was won
He debuted in WWE alongside Daivari and had alliances with Ranjin Singh and Jinder Mahal. However, he spent most of his career as a singles superstar; in 2007, he became the World Heavyweight Champion. Before embarking on his professional wrestling career, he was an officer for the Punjab state police.[7] He has appeared in four Hollywood films, two Bollywood films, and a handful of television shows.
Singh was born to a Punjabi Rajput family[8] in Dhiraina, Himachal Pradesh, the son of Jwala Ram (father) and Tandi Devi (mother). He has six siblings. Although his parents are of normal stature, his grandfather was well over 6 ft 6 inches tall.[9] Singh has acromegaly, a disease closely associated with gigantism that causes facial deformities, as evidenced by Singh's large brow, nose, chin, and ears.
All Pro Wrestling (2000–2001)
Under the ring name Giant Singh, Singh first became a professional wrestler for All Pro Wrestling (APW) in the United States, making his first appearance in October 2000, when teaming with Tony Jones against the West Side Playaz.[3]
New Japan Pro Wrestling (2001–2002)
In August 2001, Singh was brought into New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) by Team 2000 leader, Masahiro Chono, as Giant Singh, along with another big man, Giant Silva.[3] They were the tallest tag team in professional wrestling history at an average height of 7 foot 2½ inches, and a combined weight of 805 pounds. The two teamed up for the first time at the Tokyo Dome in October, labeled Club 7 by Chono, and defeated Yutaka Yoshie, Kenzo Suzuki, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Wataru Inoue in a Handicap Match when Silva pinned Tanahashi and Inoue at the same time.[11] Singh suffered his first loss in a tag match in January 2002 after Hiroyoshi Tenzan pinned him with a cradle.[12] He suffered another big tag defeat during March, being pinned by Manabu Nakanishi after a German suplex pin. His most critical loss came in August at Tokyo Nippon Budokan when, after a falling out, he was pinned by Silva in a singles match.[3]
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (2002)
On 7 April 2002, Giant made his debut for the Mexican Promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre Where he wrestled under the ring name Gigante Singh While teamed with Gigante Silva and were defeated by Black Tiger & Los Capos (Apolo Dantes, Cien Caras, Mascara Ano 2000 & Universo 2000) by DQ in a Five On Two Handicap Relevos Incredibles Match.[13] On 12 April 2002, In Singh's Last Match for the Promotion where he teamed with El Puma Inoue & Shibata and they were defeated by Dr. Wagner Jr., Gigante Silva & Shocker.[14]
All Japan Pro Wrestling (2003)
On 19 January 2003, Singh Made his debut for All Japan Pro Wrestling Where he teamed with Jan Nortje where they were defeated by Kevin Randleman & Mark Coleman in Giant First and Only Match for the Promotion also last Match Until 2006.[15]
World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE
On 2 January 2006, Singh became the first Indian professional wrestler to be signed to a contract by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE);[16] he was assigned to their developmental federation, Deep South Wrestling,[3] where he wrestled under his real name
Fued with The Undertaker (2006)
With Daivari as his manager, the unnamed Singh debuted on WWE television on the 7 April 2006 episode of SmackDown!, attacking The Undertaker and leaving him defenceless during his match with Mark Henry, and thus causing a no-contest ruling.[17] The next week he was introduced as The Great Khali. Daivari explained that he finally had a client who would destroy The Undertaker (after Muhammed Hassan and Mark Henry had previously failed).[18] Khali made his in-ring debut on the 21 April edition of SmackDown!, defeating Funaki.[19]
On the 12 May edition of SmackDown!, Khali was John "Bradshaw" Layfield's hand-picked opponent against World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio. Khali had a height advantage of 21 inches and a weight advantage of 250 pounds, and defeated Mysterio in a squash match.[20] In his match against The Undertaker at Judgment Day, Khali defeated The Undertaker with a kick to the head after receiving some illegal help from Daivari.[21][22] Khali continued on a rampage for several weeks, winning handicap matches,[23] beating superstars up in a display of power,[24][25][26] and mocking The Undertaker's signature pin and victory pose.[26]
Khali then challenged The Undertaker to a Punjabi Prison match at The Great American Bash.[27] However, Khali was not medically cleared to compete in the match, and was instead replaced by Big Show, who lost the match despite Khali's interference. After he was medically cleared, Khali was challenged by The Undertaker to a Last Man Standing match at SummerSlam.[28] The match was moved to the SmackDown! just prior to SummerSlam and was won
Category
✨
People