Indian professional wrestler The Great Khali is all set to be part of the WWE Hall of Fame, class of 2021. The former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler and superstar Dilip Singh Rana aka The Great Khali, who has been a professional wrestler since 2000, was the first Indian to become the World Heavyweight Champion in WWE. Now, he will be inducted in the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame, which will take place in the US on April 6.
Khali’s former manager and brother Ranjin Singh broke the news to the former wrestler in an exclusive edition episode of WWE Now India, published on Instagram. Khali was seen to be elated after hearing news of his inductions.
The Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will also feature the 2020 class which includes The nWo, The Bella Twins, JBL, British Bulldog, and Jushin “Thunder” Liger, as well as the 2021 class, which features Khali, Molly Holly, and Eric Bischoff.
The 48-year-old made his debut on WWE Smackdown on April 7, 2006, where he made a surprise entry along with his manager Dalvari and took on WWE legend Undertaker. He caught the attention of the world with a 7-foot build and 347 pounds body, standing tall against The Deadman. From there on, he went to battle against many more WWE legends and superstars including John Cena, Kane, Shawn Michaels, Batista, Triple H, and Rey Mysterio.
He became the first Indian to grab the World Heavyweight title after defeating 19 men in a twenty-man battle royal on July 20, 2007, and eliminating both Kane and Batista in one move.
Due to his success in WWE, he became a household name in India. Khali also went to star in films like “MacGruber,” “Get Smart,” and “The Longest Yard.” He has also opened up a wrestling school in Punjab, helping to get the next generation of Indian Superstar hopefuls ready for the ring. Apart from films, Khali also appeared on the television reality show Bigg Boss, in which he finished as first runner-up. In March 2011, Khali had a brief cameo in episode 18 of NBC’s “Outsourced.”
Several pro wrestlers and Khali’s well-wishers took to Twitter to wish him for his Hall of Fame achievement.