Tiger Jeet Singh

Jagjeet Singh Hans (born April 3, 1944) is a Canadian retired professional wrestler, known better by his ring name Tiger Jeet Singh. He was known for his elaborate ring entrances, and generally performed as a heel. He wrestled in Japan and was the first professional wrestler in Japan to defeat sumo wrestler Wajima Hiroshi. He held Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling's World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship and headlined the company's flagship event Anniversary Show in 1992.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1965–1973) In the 1960s, Hans began wrestling and emigrated from his hometown in Punjab to Canada, arriving with $6 in his pocket. Tiger made his Maple Leaf Gardens debut in 1965, wrestling as a heel. His first main event in Toronto was a tag team match late that year, teaming with Professor Hiro to take on the team of Johnny Powers and Sweet Daddy Siki. He began teaming with Fred Atkins in 1966. They became the top team in Toronto by defeating Whipper Billy Watson and Bulldog Brower for the international tag title in July 1966. Singh and Atkins wrestled at or near the top of the card through 1966 and 1967.

Singh also competed on the US wrestling circuits, grappling with opponents like Sweet Daddy Siki, André the Giant, Hans Schmidt, Whipper Billy Watson and "Bulldog" Dick Brower. He defeated Johnny Valentine for the Toronto version of the US title and wrestled Gene Kiniski for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in the summer of 1967 and, in the fall, twice challenged Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Championship. With Wild Bull Curry, again defeated Watson and Brower to win the international tag title in 1968.

On February 21, 1971, Singh wrestled The Sheik in the main event in Maple Leaf Gardens history to attract a sell-out crowd of over 18,000. Singh lost to The Sheik by disqualification.

In 1971, he made his debut in Detroit for Big Time Wrestling (Detroit) and feuded with The Sheik.

From 1972 to 1973, Singh worked in Australia for World Championship Wrestling (Australia).

Various Promotions (1973-1983) Singh continued working in Toronto and Detroit while under contract with New Japan. During this time he worked in Vancouver, Jim Crockett Promotions, Calgary and Mexico. His last match in Detroit was in 1978 and last match in Toronto in 1983.

Japan (1973–2009) New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1973–1981) While visiting Japan in 1972, Singh got into a brawl with Antonio Inoki in a shopping center.

In 2012, Singh was one of the recipients of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards presented by Canadian Immigrant Magazine.

Championships and accomplishments All Japan Pro Wrestling NWA International Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Umanosuke Ueda Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship (1 time) International Wrestling Association IWA International Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Maple Leaf Wrestling NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version) (2 times) - with Fred Atkins (1) and Bull Curry (1) NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version) (1 time) New Japan Pro-Wrestling Asia Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Asia Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Umanosuke Ueda NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles/Japan version) (1 time) - with Umanosuke Ueda NWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time) NWF North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time, final) Greatest Gaijin Heel Section (2002) NWA All-Star Wrestling NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (1 time) - with Dennis Stamp Pro Wrestling Illustrated Ranked No. 274 of the top 500 singles in the "PWI 500" in 1992 Ranked No. 383 of the top 500 singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003 Tokyo Sports Match of the Year Award (1979) with Abdullah the Butcher vs. Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba on August 26 Universal Wrestling Association UWA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times) World Championship Wrestling (Australia) IWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mr. Fuji World Wrestling Association WWA World Martial Arts Championship (1 time)

Honours