List of all Indian wrestlers in WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment(WWE) is the biggest sports entertainment company in the world with millions of fans. WWE has served from 1952 with Vince McMahon as its founder and CEO. International stars from around the world are showcasing their athleticism in the Industry. However, Indian wrestlers have also added limelight to the industry, as we bring top 5 Indian wrestlers in WWE history. Also read: We bet you don’t know these interesting facts about the heart break kid “Shawn Michaels”
10. Akam
One of the members of “Authors of Pain” and originally named as Sunny Dhinsa, he is an Indo-Canadian wrestler signed to Raw brand. He was the Canadian national freestyle wrestling champion in 2011, 2012 and 2013 in the heavyweight category. Dhinsa was considered for Rio Olympics 2016 but left amateur wrestling after being offered a contract with WWE in 2014.
In October 2014, Dhinsa was reported to have signed a contract with WWE and would begin training to become a professional wrestler at the WWE Performance Center. He made his in-ring debut at a NXT house show in Orlando, Florida on 4 April 2015, competing in a battle royal. Akam had a successful career in NXT with Rezar forming “Authors of Pain” from 2016-18 before making his RAW roster debut on April 9, 2018. He continue to serve as a heel.
9. Tiger Ali Singh
Originally named as Gurjit Singh Hans, Tiger is a professional wrestler born in March 7,1973 in Toronto to a Punjabi family. Singh signed with the World Wrestling Federation(WWF) in January 1997. The signing was announced at a press conference at SkyDome in Toronto. Singh’s most notable accomplishment in the company occurred in 1997, when he won the second WWF Kuwait Cup Tournament, held on April 9, 1997 in Kuwait City. He defeated Owen Hart in the finals to become the second and final WWF Kuwait Cup winner. Singh was also two times tag team champion.
In July 2002, Singh filed a $7 million lawsuit against World Wrestling Entertainment. Among his claims were that his career-ending injury was the result of being forced to wrestle in the rain in Puerto Rico. He also accused other WWE wrestlers of frequently calling him “taxi driver”, and that he was the victim of a stunt in 1999 where his turban was stuffed with garbage. WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt countered by noting that the company was not responsible for any injuries occurring in a different organization, and that Singh’s contract could legally be ended if he suffered an injury.
8. The Singh Brothers
This Indo-Canadian wrestling tag team composed of real life brothers Gurvinder Sihra (born November 13, 1984) and Harvinder Sihra (born November 2, 1987) were originally part of NXT but were soon outlined over to Smackdown Live to ranged with Jinder Mahal.
The brothers played an active role, in turning the fortunes of Jinder Mahal, helping him first achieve the WWE championship and then retain it for a longer period of time.
7. Jeet Rama
Originally named as Satendra Dagar, born January 12,1981. Jeet is a Sonipat born Wrestler who is signed to WWE NXT brand. On June 2, 2015 Satender, along with fellow Indian recruit Lovepreet Sangha, had been signed by WWE and reported to the WWE Performance Center for training. He made his in-ring debut at a NXT live event in Fort Pierce, Florida on September 29, 2015, competing in a battle royal. He made his singles debut for the company under the ring name Jeet Rama at a WWE live event in New Delhi on January 15, 2016, defeating Chad Gable. Since then he has competed several times mostly during NXT live events. He promises to fight under the big brand of WWE like Raw and Smack down soon. Read: WWE chief Vince McMahon sells $100M worth WWE shares
6. Gama Singh
| Real name | Gardowar Singh Sahota |
|---|---|
| Born | December 8, 1954 Punjab, India |
Singh was the first Indian to sign with the WWE from 1980-1986. He was an Indian born Canadian citizen who enjoyed a short stint in the company, mainly working in undercard matches on WWF House Shows. He is also the trainer and uncle to former WWE champion Jinder Mahal.
Singh signed a deal with Impact Wrestling as a manager in 2018. It was later announced he would be forming a brand new stable playing off his old Karachi Vice stable called the “Desi Hit Squad”. Members include Rohit Raju, Vikas Kumar, Gursinder Singh and Bhupinder Singh.
5. Kavita Devi
Originally named as Kavita Dalal, born in 1983. She is the first women wrestler signed with WWE. Devi is also an Indian International power lifting athlete who has won Gold in South Asian games. On October 15 2017, WWE announced that Devi had signed a contract, and will start training at the WWE Performance Center from January 2018. She is also the recipient of Padma Vibhushan (2008) and Padma Bhushan (2000).
Devi is married to basketball player Gaurav Tomar and has a son named Abhijeet. Kavita cites her trainer “The Great Khali” as her main inspiration to become a professional wrestler.
4. Jinder Mahal
Originally named as Yuvraj Singh Dhesi, born July 19, 1986. He is an Indo-Canadian professional wrestler signed to WWE performing on the Raw brand under the ring name Jinder Mahal. Mahal joined WWE in 2010, making his debut on the company’s main roster the following year. After short alliance with his storyline brother-in-law The Great Khali, Mahal was utilized as enhancement talent during initial stint. He formed the group 3MB with fellow lower card wrestlers Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre. Later both Mahal and McIntyre were released from the company in the summer of 2014.
Mahal returned to WWE two years later with a dramatically improved body condition and received a push following WrestleMania 33, culminating in a win over Randy Orton at Backlash in May 2017 for the WWE Championship. Mahal is the 50th WWE Champion and the first wrestler of Indian descent to win the title.
3. Mahabali Shera
| Original name | Amanpreet Singh Randhawa |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 October 1990 Firozpur, Punjab, India |
Shera is in contention for a WWE debut, he is reportedly training at WWE performance centre in Orlando. Shera is a product of TNA Impact Wrestling, and had a successful career with them from 2011-17.
Update 24 September- Shera was released from WWE and re-joined TNA in April 2019. He made his first appearance in the company on 13th September to unite forces with Desi Hit Squad.
2. The Great Khali
Originally named as Dalip Singh Rana, born 27 August 1972 in Dhiraina, India. Known for his great height, The Great Khali was described as the eighth tallest professional wrestler in history in 2014 and the fourth tallest wrestler in WWE history in 2017. The Great Khali debuted in WWE alongside Daivari and had alliances with Ranjin Singh and Jinder Mahal, but spent most of his career as a singles wrestler and in 2007 he became WWE’s World Heavyweight Champion.
Before embarking on his professional wrestling career, he was an officer for the Punjab state police. He has appeared in four Hollywood films, two Bollywood films and several television shows. At the present time, he is often seen at several wrestling events all around the world.
Khali was released by WWE for botches, poor wrestling and mic skills and he was unable to speak in English. His play boy comic character in the penultimate days destroyed his image and no other promotion showed their interest in him. He currently runs Continental Wrestling Entertainment(CWE) in India and its famous in north Indian part.
1. Sushil Kumar
It was reported that India’s most successful Olympic athlete and three times CWG champion wrestler was approached by WWE in October 2016. WWE’s Vice-President Canyon Ceman revealed that things did not work out with him despite extensive talks.
