10 Huge Wrestling Stars Who Lost To Ridiculous Opponents

9. The Undertaker Loses To The Great Khali

The Undertaker Great Khali
WWE.com

The Great Khali was better than Vladimir Kozlov.

Firstly, and most importantly, Kozlov never confused Bray Wyatt for Michael Hayes. Khali did, and it's the funniest and most under-reported story in the history of the wrestling internet. Nuts to Stephanie McMahon fancying Ultimo Dragon, or John Laurinaitis hiring the wrong one-legged wrestler: per Brian Myers, the Great Khali thought Dok Hendrix was the f*ckin' Fiend.

Secondly, Khali actually had a bit of presence about him, a more striking look, and if wrestling is more about making fans feel something than it is credibly applying a hold, Khali, with his inflexible stilts for legs, was still better than Kozlov. He was a memorable spectacle performer, a throwback, but the problem is that he didn't perform the role of a throwback. He wasn't the monster of the week; he actually defeated the Undertaker and went on to become one of the worst World Champions in recorded history.

He has developed an ironic cult fandom in the years since, but go back and watch his actual run. Week to week.

You won't be able to do it.

Advertisement
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!