Encyclopedia
Dalip Singh Rana is an
Indian wrestler currently working for
World Wrestling Entertainment on its
SmackDown! brand. Before embarking on his professional sports career, Singh was an officer in the
Punjab state police, a champion
bodybuilder, and a
Pehlwan athlete.
Biography
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. At a young age, he earned a daily wage as a roadside stone breaker to help provide for his family. When asked about the size of his family members, Singh said that all other members of his family, including his parents and siblings, are of normal height. He pointed out, however, that his grandfather was tall.
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 in 1995-96.
His success and hard work led him to train as a wrestler in the
United States of America in 1996, where he developed the skills necessary to compete on a global stage, enabling him to win numerous wrestling titles in
Japan, where he is currently a very popular figure.
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.
He married Harminder Kaur on February 27,2002.
Professional wrestling 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 volunteered to receive a
flapjack from Singh. Singh did this move with two others in the gym that night, including one of the trainers, so Ong could see how it was done. Ong botched receiving the move, as he grabbed Singh's shirt instead of pushing off his back as the coaches had instructed him. He landed wrong and incurred a severe injury. Ong had suffered a previous concussion, and this second concussion ultimately proved fatal for him. As Singh inadvertently caused his death, Ong's family brought a lawsuit against All Pro Wrestling and were awarded damages of over $1.5 million.
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, labelled "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 though, when, after a falling out, he was pinned by Silva in a singles match.
World Wrestling Entertainment
On January 2, 2006, Singh was signed to a contract by WWE and assigned to the Deep South Wrestling developmental territory for training. 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. The next week he was introduced as "The Great Khali". He made his in-ring debut on the April 21, 2006 edition of SmackDown! defeating Funaki in a Squash match.
On the May 5, 2006 edition of SmackDown!, Khali signed a contract to face The Undertaker at Judgment Day on May 21, 2006. Later that night, he interrupted a WWE Cruiserweight Championship No. 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 Rey Mysterio. Khali had a height advantage of almost 2 feet and a weight advantage of 250 pounds, and gained an easy victory over the World Heavyweight Champion. 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 boot to the head. 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. He also helped the The Big Show beat down the Undertaker with a Double Chokeslam, 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. However, Dave Meltzer reported on July 22, 2006 that Khali would be taken off the road by WWE due to liver disease and would not participate in that match.
But as Khali continued to team up with the Big Show and attack the Undertaker, Theodore Long announced that the Big Show would have to fight The Undertaker inside the Punjabi Prison. During the course of the Punjabi Prison match at The Great American Bash, Khali did show up at ringside and watched in disbelief as the Undertaker emerged victorious over The Big Show.
On the August 4, 2006 episode of Smackdown, Khali was challenged by The Undertaker to a Last Man Standing match at SummerSlam. However, the match was moved to the Smackdown! just prior to SummerSlam. On the August 18, 2006 episode of Smackdown!, The Undertaker defeated Khali after hitting him with the steel steps, and following it up with several chair-shots to the head and a chokeslam. After the match, a profusely bleeding Khali was administered nine stitches to the forehead to close the gash. This marked Khali's first ever WWE defeat.
On August 29, 2006 it was reported that Khali will be out of action for several months due to surgery on both knees.
As of September 6, 2006, Khali was suspended from the Punjab Police Department as a result of his absence and time spent working with the
WWE, but reinstated him within hours.
In wrestling
- Finishing and signature moves
...
Acting Career
Singh played the role of "Turley" in the 2005 remake of the film The Longest Yard was a 1974 [i] movie [i] about inmates at a prison who play American football [i] ...
co-starring Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Burt Reynolds. He played an unstable prison inmate with an insecure attitude. In addition, the character of Turley is shown to be virtually unstoppable and limitless in strength. He easily grounds the second biggest man, Switowski, played by the 6'5", 350 lb Bob Sapp.
