Another day, another classic wrestling match that no one knew existed has gone viral. Just a few days ago, a rare Vic Grimes vs. Crash Holly clash went viral for being the wildest Attitude Era Dark Match of all time. Now, a video of Great Khali vs. Chris Candido has surfaced, sparking buzz on the internet. This hidden gem is just the latest of The Great Khali’s newsworthy moments this year, as the star recently arrested a former NXT Brock Lesnar lookalike amid a possible in-ring return. Check out Great Khali as The Great Singh as he faces Chris Candido in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Great Khali vs. Chris Candido from NJPW In 2002
Once something hits the internet, it lives there forever. So, wrestling fans are always delighted to see things they never thought they would, including Kane dressed as a Christmas tree, and Brutus Beefcake as Furface!
One of those rare occurrences went down during NJPW Fighting Spirit ’02. The opening contest saw The Great Singh defeat Chris Candido in just over four minutes.
While the match was short-lived, it left a lasting impression. Many viewers noted how spry The Great Khali was in 2002. His knees had greatly deteriorated by the time the future WWE Hall of Famer debuted in the United States in 2006.
Chris Candido’s Lasting Legacy
Chris Candido tragically passed away at the young age of 33. The No Gimmicks Needed Superstar died on April 28, 2005, following complications associated with a broken leg and dislocated ankle that occurred during a match for TNA.
For years, it was believed that Chris Candido died from a blood clot. However, his brother, Johnny, has since clarified that Chris Candido passed away from acute pneumonia.
Regardless of Chris Candido’s cause of death, the Smoky Mountain Wrestling standout’s life was cut tragically short. However, his legacy lives on through today’s talents.
CM Punk-Chris Candido Connection
Chris Candido was known as a workhorse to many wrestling enthusiasts. He was one of the OG Paul Heyman Guys, which has resonated with many of The Wiseman’s proteges today.
In fact, CM Punk has a tattoo that says, “No Gimmicks Needed.” This slogan is a reference to the gimmick Chris Candido crafted in ECW.
Latest WWE recruit, Danhausen, calls CM Punk “Pepsi Phil” for the infamous Pepsi tattoo on his arm. Suffice to say, CM Punk’s tattoos have many meanings to The Second City Saint. The WWE World Champion recently got the paw print of his late dog, Larry, on his chest.
This tattoo was just the latest tribute CM Punk made to his dog. He even partnered with a local pizza joint to create a Larry Pizza to raise funds for PAWS Chicago.