It’s not unusual for wrestlers to have mixed feelings about former opponents, but AEW’s MVP offered a particularly blunt assessment of one former WWE World Champion.
Speaking on his Marking Out podcast, the former United States Champion didn’t hold back when recalling his time in the ring with The Great Khali, calling the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame inductee one of the worst he’s ever faced. MVP explained that Khali’s offense was not only sloppy but also physically dangerous.
“That chop to the head that he used to give… He would literally drop that big a— 20-pound soup bone on your head. I’m pretty sure that I got at least one minor concussion from one of those,” MVP said, also criticizing Khali’s finisher. “His other finish—the two-handed powerbomb drop. Oh. Oh, brother. I’m like, yo, my man, don’t somebody teach this [guy] to work?”
Still, MVP made it clear his criticism was limited to Khali’s in-ring work, separating the performer from the person.
“He’s one of the worst people I’ve ever been in the ring with as a wrestler. But behind the scenes? What a funny guy. I actually enjoyed his company.”
To drive the point home, MVP contrasted his view of Khali with another former WWE Champion, Jinder Mahal, offering high praise for “The Modern Day Maharaja” while leaving no doubt about his verdict on Khali.
“…I will tell you the Modern-Day Maharaja, that [guy] is dope. He’s raw. I was very happy to see him become WWE Champion. But The Great Khali? Trash.”