The Great Khali says his full-time wrestling days are officially over, and his knees are the biggest reason why.
While speaking to Chris Van Vliet, the WWE Hall of Famer confirmed that he is retired from wrestling. Khali did leave the door open for a small WWE return someday, but only if it was a one-day appearance and not a real comeback. When asked if he was officially retired, Khali kept it simple.
“Yeah, yeah.”
Van Vliet then asked if fans could ever see him pop up again for something like a Royal Rumble spot. Khali did not completely shut it down, but he made it clear there are limits now.
“ You never know, but I don’t want to go. Then maybe WWE asking me if I will come one day, then I can… I can go, but just one… one day, not full time. Yeah, never, because my knee is bad knee, so I can’t go full time.”
Khali has not wrestled since the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018, though he did make an appearance at WWE Superstar Spectacle in 2023. The 7-foot-1 giant still looks massive, but he admitted his body is not built for the grind anymore. When asked how his knees are doing, Khali said surgery is something he wants to get done.
“It’s still there. I just want to take a break a little bit, then I want to surgery, but I’m just everyday busy, busy, busy.”
Van Vliet asked if he meant knee replacement surgery, and Khali confirmed it.: “Yeah, knee… knee replacement.” He also said he plans to start with one knee first before deciding what comes next: “First I want first to do one, then maybe later… maybe, you know?”
Khali said he is not in constant pain while sitting, and he can still train, but standing for too long, walking, and using stairs are where the problem really shows up.
“I’m sitting and no pain. Especially when… long time standing and otherwise I’m fine. This is OK. I can do exercise, I can do anything. Only when I walk and just take stairs then…”
That pretty much explains why a full-time comeback is not happening. Khali may still be open to one more WWE moment if the company calls, but the days of him working matches regularly are done.
What do you think about The Great Khali saying he would only return for a one-day WWE appearance? Would you want to see him in a Royal Rumble spot? Sound off in the comments.
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