Source: Edmonton Sun
Size does matter for WWE. How else can you explain the presence of The Great Khali?
WWE’s tried and true formula over the years proves size sells. And if it takes pushing Khali’s 7-foot-3, 420-pound frame into the ring to make a few bucks – I’m not gonna argue with Vince McMahon, whose Barnum and Bailey bluster ensures guys like Khali and Umaga will be successful.
Hulk Hogan was another big guy with limited talent, but he had the gift of gab … and the WWE hype machine turned him into the biggest star in wrestling.
I have plenty of issues with Khali. He’s not the only wrestler to use the chokeslam as a finishing move … but c’mon, how is the move any different from a bodyslam? And when was the last time you saw some schlep have his shoulders pinned for a three count after a bodyslam?
Khali is really Dalip Singh Rana, 34, a former bodybuilder. At least WWE doesn’t ask him to talk anymore. That’s being taken care of by “interpreter” Dave Kapoor, a WWE writer.
While WWE employs smaller stars like Rey Mysterio and Brian Kendrick, big guys always get the main events (Mysterio was a brief exception). If you want to see some incredible work from the “smaller guys,” check out the Ring of Honor footage that airs regularly on The Fight Network and you’ll see how good wrestling can be.
JUDGMENT DAY: Here are results from last Sunday’s Judgment Day pay-per-view: John Cena beat Khali (who tapped out, but his foot was later proven to be under the rope); MVP won the U.S. title over Chris Benoit; Ric Flair beat Carlito; Bobby Lashley beat Mr. McMahon, Shane McMahon and Umaga; CM Punk beat Elijah Burke; The Hardy Boyz beat Cade and Murdoch; Randy Orton beat Shawn Michaels; and Edge beat Batista.
AROUND THE RING: UFC confirmed it’s talking to Kurt Angle … Michaels will be sidelined a couple of months after knee surgery … Jeff Jarrett’s wife, Jill, died Wednesday. She had been battling cancer … The Russian Bear Ivan Koloff got banged up in a car accident last weekend. Koloff isn’t Russian. He’s a Canadian — from the Ottawa Valley … Gregory Helms could be out for a year after neck fusion surgery … WWE released Henry Godwinn from its developmental group.
