SmackDown And The Great Khali

On January 2, 2006, Singh was signed to a contract by WWE and assigned to the Deep South Wrestling developmental territory for training. With Daivari by his side, the un-named Singh debuted on WWE television on the April 7, 2006 episode of SmackDown, attacking The Undertaker and leaving him out cold during his match with Mark Henry, and thus causing a no-contest.

The next week he was introduced as “The Great Khali”. Davari explained that he now finally had a client that would destroy the Undertaker (after Muhammed Hassan and Mark Henry had failed previously). Khali made his in-ring debut on the April 21, 2006 edition of SmackDown!, defeating Funaki.

On the May 5, 2006 edition of SmackDown, Khali signed a contract to face The Undertaker at Judgment Day on May 21, 2006. Later that night, he interrupted a WWE Cruiserweight Championship No. 1 Contender’s Triple Threat Match between Super Crazy, Kid Kash and Nunzio, and attacked all three men, as well as Vito.

On the May 12, 2006 edition of SmackDown, JBL put Khali against then World Champion Rey Mysterio (to soften him up before JBL’s upcoming World Championship match with Rey). Khali had a height advantage of almost two feet and a weight advantage of 250 pounds, and gained an easy victory over Mysterio. In his match against The Undertaker at Judgment Day 2006, Khali landed a series of blows on his opponent, and finally defeated The Undertaker with a kick to the head. Khali continued on a rampage for several weeks, winning handicap matches, beating superstars up in a display of power, and mocking the Undertaker’s signature pin and victory pose.

He also helped the The Big Show beat down the Undertaker (who was challenging Show for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship) with a Double Chokeslam through the announcer’s table, continuing his feud with The Undertaker.

Khali then challenged the Undertaker to a Punjabi Prison Match, and the two were scheduled to meet in such a match at The Great American Bash, but was replaced by Big Show.

After receiving a clean bill of health, the August 4, 2006 episode of SmackDown would see Khali being challenged by The Undertaker to a Last Man Standing match at SummerSlam. However, the match was moved to the SmackDown just prior to SummerSlam. On the August 18, 2006 episode of SmackDown, The Undertaker defeated Khali after hitting him with the steel steps, and following it up with several chair-shots to the head (which cut Khali’s forehead open) and a chokeslam. After the match, a profusely bleeding Khali was administered nine stitches to the forehead to close the gash. This marked Khali’s first ever WWE defeat.