NEW DELHI:
Dalip Singh Rana
, popularly known as
The Great Khali
, has surprised fans by joining the ranks of wrestlers with distinctive neck tattoos, a club that includes current Undisputed
WWE Champion
Cody Rhodes. Khali's recent rise in popularity in India, attributed to his involvement in the upcoming general elections may have led to this unexpected move.
Khali visited renowned Delhi tattoo artist Karan to acquire his new
tiger tattoo
, a play on his given name Singh, which translates to "king of the jungle." However, his visit wasn't limited to just a neck tattoo; he also got a significant tattoo on his right arm as a tribute to his mother.
In WWE, Khali made a memorable debut on the April 7, 2006, episode of SmackDown by attacking The
Undertaker
and establishing himself as a formidable presence. His victory over The Undertaker at Judgment Day 2006 further solidified his status as a top-tier villain. In July 2007, he made history by becoming the first Indian-born World Heavyweight Champion, defeating 19 other competitors in a Battle Royal on SmackDown. He successfully defended the title against the likes of Batista and Kane.
Following his championship reign, Khali engaged in high-profile feuds with the likes of
John Cena
, Big Show, and
Triple H
. Over time, he transitioned from being a heel to a more comedic and lovable character, often participating in segments such as the "Khali Kiss Cam." Eventually, he embraced the "Punjabi Playboy" persona, endearing himself to fans worldwide. Despite retiring in 2014, Khali has made sporadic appearances in WWE, continuing to entertain fans.
Since his departure from WWE, Khali has maintained his popularity in India. He founded Continental Wrestling Entertainment (CWE), a wrestling school in Punjab, which has produced talents like Dilsher Shanky and
Kavita Devi
, who have gone on to sign with WWE.
(Inputs from Agencies)
English (US) ·