Sandals and Parkas

Place in History

When discussing the pantheon of professional wrestling legends, names like Bret “The Hitman” Hart, Owen Hart, and the Dynamite Kid are rightly celebrated. These icons of the squared circle, who emerged from the gritty world of Calgary’s Stampede Wrestling, are renowned for their skill, storytelling, and ability to captivate audiences. Yet, behind every legendary hero is a villain who helps define their greatness. For Stampede Wrestling, that villain was often Makhan Singh.

The Art of Being a Heel

Makhan Singh was not a flashy performer by today’s standards. He didn’t rely on elaborate pyrotechnics, scripted promos, or the flashy gimmicks that dominate modern wrestling. Instead, Singh’s brilliance lay in his ability to evoke visceral reactions from live crowds with the fundamentals of heel work: sneering arrogance, sharp wit, and calculated in-ring tactics that made fans loathe him. Singh mastered the psychology of wrestling, knowing exactly how to draw out a crowd’s anger and funnel it into an emotional investment in his opponents. His methodical pace and disdain for the audience created a combustible atmosphere in arenas across Western Canada.

Elevating the Heroes

It is impossible to discuss Makhan Singh without acknowledging how he made others around him shine. Wrestling, at its core, is about storytelling, and Singh was a master storyteller. His feuds with members of the Hart family, particularly a young Bret Hart, gave audiences a reason to rally behind the homegrown babyfaces. Singh’s villainy painted Bret as the resilient hero, setting the stage for the eventual rise of “The Hitman” to international superstardom. Without the heat Singh generated, Bret’s ascension might not have had the same emotional weight.

Similarly, Owen Hart’s early career was bolstered by Singh’s ability to make his opponents look heroic. One particularly magical moment that stands out is Owen leaping off a cage onto Marhan Singh in the old Regina Exhibition Stadium. This iconic encounter not only showcased Owen’s athleticism but also Singh’s essential role in creating moments that resonated deeply with fans. Singh’s in-ring style was more focused on brawling than technical wrestling, forcing his adversaries to adapt their athleticism and creativity to his hard-hitting approach. This dynamic helped Owen’s incredible abilities shine, preparing him for the global spotlight.

Singh’s impact wasn’t limited to the Hart family. The Dynamite Kid, one of wrestling’s greatest innovators, also crossed paths with Singh. Their encounters allowed Dynamite’s explosive style to contrast with Singh’s deliberate and antagonistic approach, creating a perfect clash of styles that electrified audiences.

The Power of Simplicity

What makes Makhan Singh’s contributions so remarkable is how he achieved such an enduring impact without the tools and tricks that modern wrestlers use to connect with fans. He didn’t have social media to build his persona or cinematic promos to sell his storylines. Singh’s work lived and breathed in the ring and on the microphone in front of live audiences. His simplicity was his strength, forcing fans to focus on his character and the story he was telling.

A Forgotten Foundation

Makhan Singh may not be as celebrated as the names he helped elevate, but his contributions to wrestling are undeniable. That said, Singh’s career did not translate well to the bright lights of big television. In both WCW and WWF, his work was often forgettable or veered into gross caricature, failing to capture the brilliance he displayed in the Stampede Wrestling environment. Without his tireless work as a heel in Stampede Wrestling, the legends we revere today might not have had the platform to reach their potential. Singh understood that his role wasn’t to bask in glory but to amplify the heroes who would capture the audience’s hearts.

For fans of wrestling history, Singh’s story is a reminder of the unsung heroes who make the business what it is. The cheers for Bret Hart, Owen Hart, and the Dynamite Kid were louder because of the boos Marhan Singh earned. In the world of professional wrestling, there is no greater compliment than that.