Former WWE World Champion confirms retirement
The Great Khali confirmed he has retired from in-ring competition but remains open to making occasional appearances if WWE is interested.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet on the Insight Podcast, Khali revealed that he has retired from wrestling. When asked about a potential one-off appearance for the Royal Rumble or any WWE event, the former World Champion responded that it is an opportunity he would consider if it were for one or two days.
“Yeah, I retired,” stated Khali.
“Never know but I don’t want to go. Maybe WWE asking ‘will you come one day?’ then I can go. But just one two day not full time. Never. I because my bad knee so I can’t go full time.”
Khali further talked about the upcoming replacement surgeries for his knees. He explained that his busy schedule has delayed the procedures and the extent of pain and impact on daily activities.
“I just want to take a break a little bit then I want to (get) surgery but I’m just every day busy, busy, busy. First I want to first do one then maybe later maybe you know.”
“I’m sitting and no pain when I especially take the stairs, there’s pain and long time straining and pain otherwise I’m fine. This is okay. I can do exercise. I can do anything only when I walk and just take the stairs.”
Khali became a household name during his WWE run from 2006 to 2014, due to his overtowering presence in the ring. He captured his only World Heavyweight Championship in 2007, holding the title for nearly two months. He was also inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021.
Rosanne Raphael is a wrestling writer with over three and a half years of experience covering all things related to the industry. From a kindergarten teacher to PR Associate to turning her lifelong passion for the industry into a career, Rosanne is currently writing for F4W Online where she focuses on wrestling news, analysis, and storytelling.
Rosanne previously contributed to Sportskeeda as an Assistant Content Manager.
When not consumed by wrestling, Rosanne is a musician and an aspiring artist.