Dalip Singh Rana (born 27 August 1972), better known by his ring name The Great Khali, is an Indian
professional wrestler, actor, and powerlifter. He is currently working for WWE as a member of the SmackDown roster.
He debuted alongside Daivari and had alliances with Ranjin Singh and Jinder Mahal. However he spent most of
his career as a singles superstar and in 2007 he became the World Heavyweight Champion.Before embarking on his
professional wrestling career, he was a police officer in the Punjab state police. He has appeared in four
Hollywood films as well as two Bollywood films.
Early life
Singh was born in Himachal Pradesh, India to Jwala Ram (father) and Tandi Devi (mother);
he is one of seven siblings. He is a Hindu Rajput. Although his parents are of normal stature, his grandfather
was well over 6 ft 6 inches.
Jalandharies not only idetify him as a indian but because he is a Jalandhari and
brought proud to this city.Khali, who originally hailed from a village in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh,
but he lived and worked here with the Punjab police before moving to the US to pursue a WWE career. He can be seen
sometimes roaming around Jalandhar.Khali was handpicked in the mid-1990s by the then additional director general
of police (ADGP) M.S. Bhullar, himself a great sports enthusiast, to be a wrestler with the Punjab Armed Police
(PAP) at its complex here. Even though Dalip Singh continues to be on the rolls of the Punjab Police, he mostly
lives in the US and is now one of the big names in the WWE circuit.Two years ago, the Punjab Police placed
Khali under suspension as he failed to return and join the force after the expiry of his sanctioned leave.
Later, he was given exemption and allowed to pursue WWE in the US.
Professional wrestling career
All Pro Wrestling (2000-2001)
Under the ring name Giant Singh, Dalip Singh first became a professional wrestler for All Pro Wrestling (APW) I
n the United States, making his first appearance in October 2000, when teaming with Tony Jones against the West
Side Playaz.
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. 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. Singh suffered his first loss in a tag match in January 2002 after Hiroyoshi Tenzan
pinned him with a cradle.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.
World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE (2006–present)
Debut and Feud with The Undertaker (2006)
The Great Khali in WWE.
On 2 January 2006, Singh became the first Indian professional wrestler to be signed to a contract by World
Wrestling Entertainment (WWE); he was assigned to their developmental federation, Deep South Wrestling,
where he wrestled under his real name.
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. 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 previously failed).
Khali made his in-ring debut on the 21 April edition of SmackDown!, defeating Funaki.
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 two feet and a weight advantage of 250 pounds,
and defeated Mysterio in a squash match. 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. 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.Khali then challenged The Undertaker to a Punjabi Prison match
at The Great American Bash. However, Khali was not medically cleared to compete in the match, and was instead
replaced by Big Show, who would end up losing to The Undertaker despite interference from Khali. After he was
medically cleared, Khali would be challenged by The Undertaker to a Last Man Standing match at SummerSlam.
The match was moved to the SmackDown! Just prior to SummerSlam and was won by The Undertaker, giving Khali his
first definite loss in WWE.
Personal life
Khali is a religious person.He meditates every day and does not consume alcohol, drugs, tobacco, caffeine or meat.
Contrary to popular belief, Singh has not suffered from gigantism or acromegaly.Singh married Harminder Kaur on
27 February 2002. Singh suggested the ringname "The Great Khali" after the Hindu goddess Kali,
who is associated with eternal energy. Singh's training schedule consists of two hours of weight
training, morning and evening, every day. Singh's diet is unclear, as at least one source indicates that he
adheres to a vegetarian diet, and at least one other source indicates that his diet includes a large
amount of chicken.)