The Great Khali goes up against Brody SteeleIn case you haven’t heard, former World Heavyweight champion, and the first ever Indian to win a world title in WWE, The Great Khali is set to compete for the first time in India. Dubbed “The Great Khali Return Series”, CM4Youth, in association with The Bharatiya Samajik Sewa Sansthan has organized a two-day event, which is set to kick off on the 24th (read more about it here).Also read: The Great Khali gravely injured in wrestling match, admitted to ICUThe series will see 14 international wrestlers, including numerous former WWE superstars, compete for two days. While the buzz surrounds The Great Khali and his first ever match on his home soil, the two-day event will showcase some of the best talents in the world. Here is everything you need to know about “The Great Khali Return Series”.
#1 It\'s the first time The Great Khali will compete after leaving WWE
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It’s safe to say that every Indian knows who The Great Khali is. After making an explosive debut by taking out The Undertaker, he then dominated the legendary grappler in his first ever PPV match back in ’06. Khali also won his first ever match on the main roster, when he defeated the then World Heavyweight champion, Rey Mysterio.
However, The Great Khali always spoke about wanting to compete in India, in front of his home fans. While WWE did tour India in January, Khali and the company parted ways in ’14. The former World Heavyweight champion now has the opportunity to achieve his goal, as he returns to in-ring competition for the first time after leaving WWE.
After getting into movies and the entertainment industry, Khali now will be seen in action during the two-day event. Along with the 14 international wrestlers, the local wrestlers will be given the opportunity to showcase their abilities, as the Indian fans gear up for yet another exciting event – the first of its kind on Indian soil.
#2 Former Tough Enough contestant will be a part of the show
Along with The Great Khali, multiple international sensations will be seen in action. Most of these wrestlers will compete for the very first time in India, and among them is a former Tough Enough contestant. Tough Enough is a WWE reality series to scout talent that narrows down only a handful from thousands of applicants.
Chelsea Green was a contestant on the sixth season of Tough Enough and was the seventh elimination during the season. Chelsea then started competing on the independent scene, using the ring name “Jaida”. Chelsea also made numerous appearances on Monday Night RAW, where she played the part of Megan Miller, Daniel Bryan’s physical therapist.
There was also an angle where she tried to fool Brie Bella, by saying she had an affair with Daniel Bryan, during his feud with The Authority.
#3 The event will feature two former WWE stars of Indian origin
The Great Khali won’t be the only former WWE superstar of Indian origin to feature during the course of two days. Yuvraj Singh, better known to the WWE Universe as Jinder Mahal will travel to India to perform in front of the live crowd.
Jinder Mahal is an Indian-Canadian superstar, who started working on the main roster from 2011, forging a relationship with The Great Khali, which eventually led to a heated rivalry between the two superstars.
Jinder Mahal achieved internet fame when he started teaming up with Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre, and the faction called themselves 3MB. After teaming up with Slater and Drew for nearly three years, Jinder was released by WWE, and he chose to ply his trade on the independent circuit.
Also, an interesting bit of information is Jinder’s uncle – known as Gama Singh – worked for Vince McMahon in the mid-80s, touring various countries, competing against the likes of Roddy “Rowdy” Piper and “Cowboy” Bob Orton.
#4 Former ECW/TNA superstar set to compete on the show
Former ECW superstar, Mike Knox is also set to be a part of the team of 14 international wrestlers. In WWE, Knox initially played the role of Kelly Kelly’s boyfriend and got into a feud with CM Punk.
Knox was then drafted to RAW, where he won a battle royal to become one of the six entrants in the Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight championship back in 2009, and was the second elimination during the match.
Knox was then drafted to SmackDown, where he competed for the rest of his WWE tenure. He then signed up for TNA and was a member of the Aces & Eights, a faction that took over the company. After the faction dissolved, he was then inserted into a new faction called The Menagerie, consisting of himself, Rebel, Crazzy Steve and The Freak. Knox left TNA in mid-2015.
One other interesting tit bit is the fact that Knox was a part of the “jihadists”, during Muhammad Hassan’s feud with The Undertaker. The masked individuals ganged up on The Undertaker and proceeded to choke him – an angle which led to the release of Muhammad Hassan when it led to a huge controversy.
#5 A former two time Slammy Award winner will also be seen in action
Along with the wrestlers mentioned above, arguably the biggest of the lot is Paul Lloyd Jr., who performed as Justin Gabriel in WWE. Gabriel was a part of the first season of NXT and formed The Nexus along with the other contestants from the first season.
Gabriel’s high flying offense earned him praises from the fans, and he won the WWE tag team championships on three different occasions.
After leaving WWE, Justin went to Global Force Wrestling (GFW), where he won the GFW NEX*GEN championship. Gabriel then proceeded to work for TNA, taking part in the GFW – TNA invasion angle. Justin then won the TNA King of the Mountain championship in ’15, after winning the King of the Mountain match.
He then faced the then TNA World Heavyweight champion Ethan Carter III on the same night for the title but ended up on the losing side.
On an interesting note, Justin later revealed that he was under the Bunny costume (which was associated with Adam Rose), and was a part of the Rose Buds. Justin won the WWE Slammy Award twice, first as a part of The Nexus faction, and then as The Bunny.
You can book your tickets here: https://in.bookmyshow.com/dehradun/sports/the-great-khali-returns/ET00038752
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