20 Interesting facts about The Great Khali

The Great Khali was the first wrestler who provided a full-fledged recognition to India in the WWE industry. Indians started getting attention in WWE after Khali's joining which eased the entrance of wrestlers like Jinder Mahal, Shanky, and Veer Mahan in the industry.
The Great Khali made his debut in WWE's main roaster in 2006 and started leaving his mark in the company right from his first match. Khali defeated the likes of The Undertaker, Kane, and Shaun Michaels in his WWE career and included his name in the list of some premier wrestlers. Khali is not working in the WWE industry at the moment but his return is always on the cards.

Here are 20 interesting facts about The Great Khali :

1. The Great Khali was born in the year 1972 in Dhiraina, a small village in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

2. The real name of Khali is Dalip Singh Rana and is known by the nickname of Dalbu amongst his near and dear ones.

3. The Great Khali stands 7 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 157 kilograms.

4. Khali doesn't have a normal body, he suffered a disease called Acromegaly in childhood which caused an unusual growth of his body.

5. The Great Khali used to break stones, however, he was recruited by Punjab Police after getting noticed by officer SN Bhullar.

6. While being in Punjab Police, Khali used to do bodybuilding and he also won the Mr. India event in 1997 and 1998.

7. After earning fame and money from WWE, Khali contributed heavily to the development of his village Dhiraina.

8. The Great Khali has worked in 4 Hollywood, 2 Bollywood movies, and a few TV shows. He has acted in The Longest Yard (2005), Get Smart (2008), MacGruber (2010), Kushti (2010), Rama: The Saviour (2010), and HOUBA! On the Trail of the Marsupilami 

9. Khali was the runner-up of Bigg Boss season 4

10. The Great Khali is trying his hands in politics nowadays. He joined BJP in 2022.

11. The Great Khali has won WWE World Heavyweight Championship once in his WWE career.

12. Khali was last seen on 27 April 2018 in the greatest Royal Rumble PPV which featured 50 superstars and was won by Braun Strowman.

13. The Great Khali played his first official match on Smackdown on 17 April 2006 where he defeated Funaki.

14. The Great Khali first came under huge limelight after his third match when he easily pinned The Undertaker in Judgement Day PPV.

15. On 28 May 2001 Khali gave a flapjack to Brian Ong during training which resulted in an accidental death of Ong.

16. The Great Khali became the brand ambassador of the Special Olympics for physically and mentally challenged children in 2009.

17. Khali's elimination in the Royal Rumble of 2010 gained huge headlines as he was eliminated by Female superstar Beth Phoenix after she kissed him.

18. The Great Khali is running a wrestling academy in Jalandhar, India which is recognized as Continental Wrestling Entertainment (CWE) where 200-250 students learn wrestling.

19. Female WWE Superstar Kavita Devi is an ex-student of Khali's academy who took a part in the WWE Young Classic Competition. Satender Dagar and Lovepreet Sangha of this academy have also signed contracts with WWE.

20. The Great Khali avoids Liquor and Tobacco as he lives a spiritual life and hence has been successful in maintaining his physique.