Dalip Singh
Born	(1972-08-27) August 27, 1972 (age 51)[1] Dhirana, Himachal Pradesh, India[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Giant Singh The Great Khali
Billed height	7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
Billed weight	[undue weight? – discuss]
Billed from	The jungles of Punjab, India
Trained by	APW Boot Camp
Debut	October 7 2000

Dalip Singh Rana^[1] (born August 27 1972) is an Indian professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring name The Great Khali. He is currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling on its SmackDown! brand. Before embarking on his professional sports career, he was an officer in the Punjab state police, a champion bodybuilder, and a Pehlwan athlete.

Early career

Under the ring name "Giant Singh", Dalip Singh became a pro wrestler for All Pro Wrestling in the United States of America, making his first appearance in October 2000, when teaming with Tony Jones against the West Side Playaz 2000.

On May 28, 2001, Brian Ong died after receiving a flapjack from Singh. Ong had suffered a previous concussion during the session, but the trainers gave him a lower evaluation for not avoiding injuries and told him to continue training. In addition, it was proven that Ong did not receive any protective gear or supervision by APW staff. This second concussion ultimately proved fatal for him. As Singh inadvertently caused his death, Ong's family brought a lawsuit against All Pro Wrestling, who were found liable for recklessness after less than a day of deliberations, awarding the Ong family for damages of over $1.3 million.^[2]

New Japan Pro Wrestling

In August 2001, Singh was brought into New Japan Pro Wrestling by Team 2000 leader, Masahiro Chono, along with another big man, Giant Silva. They were the tallest tag team in pro-wrestling history at an average height of 7 ft 2 in, and a combined weight of 805 lb. The two teamed for the first time at the Tokyo Dome in October, labeled "Club 7" by Chono, and they defeated Yutaka Yoshie, Kenzo Suzuki, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Wataru Inoue in a Handicap Match when Silva pinned Tanahashi and Inoue at the same time. Singh suffered his first loss in a tag match at the Tokyo Dome in January 2002, being cradled by Hiroyoshi Tenzan. He suffered another big tag defeat during March, being pinned by Manabu Nakanishi, and falling to a German suplex hold. 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.

World Wrestling Entertainment

SmackDown!

On January 2, 2006, Singh was signed to a contract by WWE and assigned to the Deep South Wrestling developmental territory for training.^[3] With Daivari by his side, the un-named Singh debuted on WWE television on the April 7, 2006 episode of SmackDown!, attacking The Undertaker and leaving him out cold during his match with Mark Henry, and thus causing a no-contest.^[4]

The next week he was introduced as "The Great Khali". Daivari explained that he now finally had a client that would destroy the Undertaker (after Muhammed Hassan and Mark Henry had failed previously). Khali made his in-ring debut on the April 21, 2006 edition of SmackDown!, defeating Funaki.^[5]

On the May 5, 2006 edition of SmackDown, Khali signed a contract to face The Undertaker at Judgment Day on May 21, 2006.^[6] Later that night, he interrupted a WWE Cruiserweight Championship #1 Contender's Triple Threat Match between Super Crazy, Kid Kash and Nunzio, and attacked all three men, as well as Vito.

On the May 12, 2006 edition of SmackDown, JBL put Khali against then World Champion Rey Mysterio. Khali had a height advantage of almost two feet and a weight advantage of 250 pounds, and gained an easy victory over Mysterio.^[7] In his match against The Undertaker at Judgment Day 2006, Khali landed a series of blows on his opponent, and finally defeated The Undertaker with a kick to the head after receiving some illegal help from Daivari during the phase when the Undertaker had him under control. Khali continued on a rampage for several weeks, winning handicap matches, beating superstars up in a display of power, and mocking the Undertaker's signature pin and victory pose. At Judgment Day 2006, Khali pinned Undertaker with his foot on top of him thus handing out Undertaker a humiliating loss.^[8]

He also helped Big Show beat down the Undertaker (who was challenging Show for the ECW World Championship) with a Double Chokeslam through the announcer's table, continuing his feud with The Undertaker.

Khali then challenged the Undertaker to a Punjabi Prison Match, and the two were scheduled to meet in such a match at The Great American Bash, but Khali was removed from the match due to elevated liver enzymes and replaced by Big Show.^[9] (In the storyline, Theodore Long replaced Khali with Big Show as punishment for an attack on The Undertaker shortly before the match.)

Khali later received a clean bill of health, and the August 4, 2006 episode of SmackDown would see Khali being challenged by The Undertaker to a Last Man Standing match at SummerSlam. However, the match was moved to the SmackDown just prior to SummerSlam and won by the Undertaker, giving Khali his first loss in the WWE.^[10]

On August 29, 2006, it was reported that Khali would be out of action for several months due to surgery on both knees.

ECW

By October of that year news came that Khali would return, along with Daivari, to WWE to join its revived ECW brand.

On the October 31 2006 edition of ECW, Khali and his manager Daivari made their on-screen debuts, with Daivari defeating Shannon Moore, while Khali took on the role as Daivari's enforcer for the match. Khali then assaulted Moore after the match. Khali continued manhandling Daivari's opponents after Daivari had defeated them.

Khali then feuded with Tommy Dreamer, where Khali would assault Dreamer and choke drop him on a regular basis. Sometimes it would be on the steel entrance stage, a steel chair, or the padded floor outside the ring.

On the December 19 2006 edition of ECW, Khali faced Shannon Moore in his first match in ECW. Khali easily defeated Moore, but it was on a disqualification. Tommy Dreamer came in to interfere, but ended up being choke dropped by Khali onto the steel steps. Khali finally faced Tommy Dreamer on the January 9, 2007 edition of ECW in an Extreme Rules match. He easily defeated Dreamer, which turned out to be Khali's last ECW match.

RAW

On the January 8 2007, episode of RAW, Jonathan Coachman announced that Khali's contract with ECW had expired, he had signed with RAW (without his manager Daivari), and would battle John Cena in the main event. Khali won by disqualification after Cena took a steel chair held by Armando Estrada and hit Khali with it. After the match, Khali choke slammed Cena to the mat and left the ringside area, leaving Cena prone to an attack by Umaga.^[11]

On the February 23 2007 episode of SmackDown!, the Great Khali interfered in a Falls Count Anywhere, Money In The Bank qualifying match between Kane and King Booker. Khali cost Kane the match, leading to a match at WrestleMania. In his first appearance at the event, Khali defeated Kane at WrestleMania 23 after slamming him with a choke drop. Right after the match, Khali beat and choked Kane with his own hook and chain.^[12]

On the April 30 2007 edition of RAW, The Great Khali attacked Shawn Michaels, Edge and Randy Orton. He attacked WWE Champion John Cena as well, sending a message that he wanted Cena's title. The next week on RAW, Khali defeated Michaels in a No. 1 contender's match for the WWE Championship at Judgment Day. At the event, Khali's efforts came up short as he lost via submission for the first time ever, tapping out to John Cena's STFU. However, at Judgment Day, Khali's foot was under the rope when he tapped out, but the referee didn't see this.^[13] The next night on RAW, Khali expressed his outrage via his translator over the outcome. At One Night Stand, Khali lost to John Cena after he was FU'd off a crane bed. This would be the first time that The Great Khali had ever been pinned.^[14]

Return to SmackDown!

On the June 11 edition of RAW, as part of the WWE Draft, Khali was drafted from RAW to SmackDown! as SmackDown!'s first draft pick. The Great Khali offered an open challenge to anyone at The Great American Bash, he says that if no one accepts he will continue on his path of destruction. Accepting Khali's challenge was the Animal, Batista who made an intense entrance to the ring facing The Great Khali eye to eye.The Great Khali will face Batista in a singles match at The Great American Bash.

In wrestling

• Finishing and signature moves
  • Two handed choke drop
  • Brain chop
  • Powerbomb - New Japan Pro Wrestling
  • Chokeslam - New Japan Pro Wrestling
  • Headbutt
  • Big boot
  • Clothesline
  • Spin kick
  • Corner back elbow strike
  • Delayed scoop slam
  • Leg drop

• Managers
  • Daivari
  • Runjin Singh

• Nicknames
  • The Indian Colossus
  • The Punjabi Giant
  • The Punjabi Warrior

Filmography

In 2005, Singh starred in the film The Longest Yard as Turley, one of the prison's inmates. On March 16 2007, it was announced that Singh is set to begin shooting Get Smart, a movie based on the 1960s classic TV show, alongside The Rock.^[15]

Personal information

Dalip Singh was born in the village of Dhirana in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India, the third of eight children in the Rana family. He worked as a roadside stone breaker in order to earn bread for his family. In 1993, Singh was working in the Himalaya hills when his life's circumstances began to change. By this time he had tried his hand at many sports. He excelled in all of them, but showed exceptional talent in bodybuilding. The Director General of the Punjab Police Department took notice of Dalip and helped him join the police force. The change in employment allowed Singh to further his body building training and he subsequently won titles of Mr. India from 1997 through 1998.

He married Harminder Kaur on February 27, 2002.^[1]

Dalip Singh's goal in life is to support his family and aid the entire village that is his home. He is an active mentor to young people in Punjab, encouraging them to stay away from drugs and urging them to find discipline, health and success by taking up sports.^[16]

Singh has a 18EEEE size shoe.

References

External links

• WWE Profile
• Dalip Singh at IMDb
• Extended Information about Dalip Singh
• Online World of Wrestling Profile