The Great Khali Reveals Why He Has No Interest in Wrestling for AEW

The Great Khali has made it clear that if he ever steps back into a wrestling ring, it won’t be for AEW.

All Elite Wrestling has brought in a number of former WWE stars and legends since launching in 2019, with the promotion offering a different schedule and environment that has attracted several big names from the industry. But Khali says he isn’t interested in following that path.

While speaking with Jamal Niaz at For The Love of Wrestling 2026, the WWE Hall of Famer was asked whether he would ever consider working for another company such as AEW if he decided to return to the ring. The interviewer noted that several AEW wrestlers were also attending the event and asked if Khali would be open to exploring opportunities outside WWE. Khali quickly made his stance clear and explained that his loyalty to WWE is the main reason he wouldn’t consider working elsewhere.

“You know… if I work one day, I just want only… I just want to work only WWE. Because WWE make me star. So otherwise I won’t work any other company. If I work, I work WWE.”

Khali joined WWE in 2006 and quickly became one of the company’s most recognizable giants. During his run, he shared the ring with major names including The Undertaker, Kane, and Rey Mysterio.

His biggest moment came in 2007 when he won a 20-man battle royal on SmackDown to become the World Heavyweight Champion. Khali remained with WWE until 2014 before stepping away from full-time competition. Years later, the company honored him with induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021.

Even with multiple former WWE stars appearing in AEW over the past several years, Khali’s comments suggest he has no plans to follow that trend. For him, the company that helped make him a global star is the only place he would consider returning.