11 Things WWE Wants You To Forget About The Great Khali
5. His Actual Popularity In India
We are forever being told that Khali is extremely popular back in his homeland, but what's this based on? An assumption from the fact that he is Indian and WWE is like, super cool?
The company clearly believe it; why else would he be back to give Jinder Mahal a helping hand on his ongoing, futile quest to become South Asia's Stone Cold Steve Austin?
But all the online testimony suggests that Indian fans - like the rest of us - are naturally drawn to the best wrestlers, and would much sooner watch John Cena or AJ Styles than they would Khali. in much the same way that American fans weren't completed bowled over by Crush.
This is second-hand, of course, and WWE must have some data to justify the Punjabi Playboy's monster salary - but the real litmus test will be whether his recent return can help drive up business in his homeland. We're guessing: no.