Priyupranav: Starting First Bio Initial Version - done

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Starting First Bio Initial Version - done

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{{short description|Indian professional wrestler and actor (born 1984)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name = Rinku Singh
|image = WWE Live Road To WrestleMania, Toronto, 2022 132 (cropped).jpg
|caption = Rajput in 2022
|birth_name = Rinku Singh Rajput
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|8|08}}
|birth_place = [[Gopiganj]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]
|ring_names = Rinku<br />Rinku Singh<br /> Veer<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/veer | title=Veer | access-date=5 January 2022 | archive-date=4 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604035514/https://www.wwe.com/superstars/veer | url-status=live }}</ref><br />Veer Mahaan
|billed = Uttar Pradesh, India<ref name=wwe/>
|weight = 275 lb<ref name=wwe/>
|height = 6 ft 4 in<ref name=wwe>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/veer|title=Veer WWE|website=www.wwe.com|access-date=5 January 2022|archive-date=4 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604035514/https://www.wwe.com/superstars/veer|url-status=live}}</ref>
|trainer = [[WWE Performance Center]]
|debut = 31 May 2018
}}
'''Rinku Singh Rajput'''<ref>{{cite news |title=Magh Mela: WWE wrestler Rinku Singh Rajput takes holy dip in Sangam |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/magh-mela-wwe-wrestler-rinku-singh-rajput-takes-holy-dip-in-sangam/articleshow/81094107.cms |website=[[The Times of India]] |date=18 February 2021 |access-date=25 November 2021 |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306183854/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/magh-mela-wwe-wrestler-rinku-singh-rajput-takes-holy-dip-in-sangam/articleshow/81094107.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> (born 8 August 1988) is an Indian former [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] and former [[professional baseball|professional baseball player]]. As a professional wrestler, he is best known for his tenure in [[WWE]], where he performed under the [[ring name]]s '''Rinku''' (shortened from his complete name) and '''Veer Mahaan''' (or simply '''Veer''').

Singh was signed by the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] organisation after winning a pitching contest on a 2008 reality television show [[J. B. Bernstein#Reality contest|''The Million Dollar Arm'']]. He was the first Indian to play [[professional baseball]] and spent several seasons in the minor leagues, reaching the [[Single-A (baseball)|Single-A]] level.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/cards/90294|title=BaseballAmerica.com: Stats: Rinku Singh|work=baseballamerica.com|access-date=27 June 2014|archive-date=25 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325062933/http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/cards/90294|url-status=live}}</ref> He is the subject of the movie ''[[Million Dollar Arm]]''.

After retiring from baseball, Singh signed a contract with [[WWE]] in January 2018 and spent time on [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] as a [[tag team]] with [[Saurav Gurjar]] called "Indus Sher", and spent time on the main roster, particularly on the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] [[WWE brand extension|brand]] aligning with [[Jinder Mahal]] at one point (as Indus Sher and as an unnamed tag team with [[Shanky]]), as well as being a singles wrestler. He was released from the company in April 2024.

== Early life ==
Rinku Singh Rajput was born on 8 August 1988 in [[Gopiganj]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]], in a [[Rajput]] Kshatriya family. The son of a truck driver, Singh grew up in poverty in [[Gopiganj]], [[Bhadohi]].<ref name=Shah>{{cite news|last=Shah|first=Wajiha|title=Bhadohi boy Rinku is English-speaking baseball star of American league|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/bhadohi-boy-rinku-is-englishspeaking-baseball-star-of-american-league/573561/|access-date=22 March 2014|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=31 January 2010|archive-date=8 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708200612/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/bhadohi-boy-rinku-is-englishspeaking-baseball-star-of-american-league/573561|url-status=live}}</ref> Singh was one of nine siblings who all lived in the family's one-room house. The home had electricity but relied on well water. Singh threw the javelin and played cricket as a little boy.<ref name=PPG>{{cite news|last=Rotstein|first=Gary|title=The Morning File: The American Dream lives on -- Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel are new Pirates|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/news/portfolio/2008/12/08/The-Morning-File-The-American-Dream-lives-on-Rinku-Singh-and-Dinesh-Patel-are-new-Pirates/stories/200812080230|access-date=22 March 2014|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date=8 December 2008|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306193217/https://www.post-gazette.com/news/portfolio/2008/12/08/The-Morning-File-The-American-Dream-lives-on-Rinku-Singh-and-Dinesh-Patel-are-new-Pirates/stories/200812080230|url-status=live}}</ref> He was a junior national javelin medalist.<ref name=Ali/> Singh is an alumnus of the [[Guru Gobind Singh Sports College, Lucknow]].

In early 2008, Singh entered an Indian reality television show ''The Million Dollar Arm''. The contest was created by an American sports agent [[J. B. Bernstein]] and his partners [[Ash Vasudevan]] and Will Chang to find the individual in the country who could throw the fastest and most accurate baseball. Having never heard of baseball before, Singh won the contest out of over 37,000 participants after throwing 87 miles per hour. The grand prize for the contest was $100,000.<ref name="village">{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rinkus-village-doesnt-know-baseball-but-theyre-all-pitching-for-him/287942/|title=Rinku's village doesn't know baseball but they're all pitching for him|last=Singh|first=Anuraag|date=25 March 2008|work=The Indian Express|access-date=28 August 2013|archive-date=11 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611083105/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rinkus-village-doesnt-know-baseball-but-theyre-all-pitching-for-him/287942/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/baseball-in-india-rinku-singh-indian-professional-baseball-player-pittsburg-pirates-219393-2013-12-01|title=A 'Home Run' for Baseball in India|work=intoday.in}}</ref>

After winning the contest, Singh and runner-up [[Dinesh Patel]] travelled to Los Angeles where they trained with [[University of Southern California]] pitching coach [[Tom House]], who trained pitchers such as [[Nolan Ryan]] and [[Randy Johnson]].<ref name="cnn">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/11/india.baseball.pioneers/index.html|title=Indian pitchers are first for America's national pastime|last=Vercammen|first=Paul|date=11 December 2008|work=CNN|access-date=15 February 2009|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306185409/http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/11/india.baseball.pioneers/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="fan">{{cite web|url=http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2008/11/05/international-pastime-pitcher-is-latest-american-job-to-be-outs/#cont|title=International Pastime: Pitcher Is Latest American Job to Be Outsourced to India|last=Fornelli|first=Tom|date=5 November 2008|publisher=Fanhouse|access-date=15 February 2009|archive-date=19 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219200429/http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2008/11/05/international-pastime-pitcher-is-latest-american-job-to-be-outs#cont|url-status=dead}}</ref> Singh said that most of his family did not agree with his decision to go to the United States.<ref name=Ali/> On their first day in the United States the two attended their first baseball game at USC. They continued to learn the game from House and Bernstein, as well as learning English.<ref name="mlb">{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081124&content_id=3691650&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp|title=Indian hurlers' inking opens new market|last=Langosch|first=Jenifer|date=25 November 2008|work=MLB.com|access-date=15 February 2009|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002555/https://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081124&content_id=3691650&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Professional baseball career ==
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Rinku Singh
|debutleague=
|statleague=MILB
| stat1label = Win–loss record
| stat1value = 10–6
| stat2label = ERA
| stat2value = 2.97
| stat3label = Strikeouts
| stat3value = 126
|statyear=
|debutteam=
|debutyear=
|debutdate=
|image=
|throws=Left
|bats=Left
|number=
|team=
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|image_size=100px
|teams=
* [[Gulf Coast League Pirates]] (2009, 2010, 2011, 2016)
* [[State College Spikes]] (2010, 2011)
* [[Canberra Cavalry]] (2010–2011)
* [[West Virginia Power]] (2011, 2012)
* [[Adelaide Bite]] (2011–2012, 2012–2013)
* [[Dominican Summer League Pirates]] (2011)
}}
Singh, along with Patel, tried out in front of scouts from 20 [[Major League Baseball]] teams in November 2008, and Singh's pitches reached {{convert|92|mph}}.<ref name=mlb/> Reports from [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] scouts Joe Ferrone and Sean Campbell led to general manager [[Neal Huntington]] signing both to contracts with the organisation. With the deal, the pair became the first Indians to sign American major league baseball contracts.<ref name=cnn/><ref name=fan/> The total [[signing bonus]] for the two was $8,000.<ref name="Bradenton">{{cite news|title=The Bradenton Pirates: They are the world|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/pirates/the-bradenton-pirates-they-are-the-world-348904/?print=1|last=Kovacevic|first=Dejan|date=10 July 2009}}</ref> After training, the two returned to visit their families in India before entering Pirates training camp in [[Bradenton, Florida]].<ref name=mlb/> Singh and Patel began the 2009 baseball season with the [[Gulf Coast League Pirates|Pirates' Gulf Coast League affiliate]].<ref name="usatoday">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/pirates/2009-03-03-pirates-india_N.htm|title=Pirates pitching imports from India are a work in progress|last=White|first=Paul|date=4 March 2009|work=USA Today|access-date=23 June 2009|archive-date=9 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309065232/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/pirates/2009-03-03-pirates-india_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 4 July 2009, Singh became the first Indian citizen to appear in a professional baseball game in the US. He pitched the seventh inning, while [[Dinesh Patel]] pitched the eighth inning.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090705&content_id=5704414&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710045943/http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090705&content_id=5704414&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 July 2009|title=Patel, Singh make debuts in GCL|last=Staats|first=Wayne|date=6 July 2009}}</ref> On 13 July 2009, Singh won his first professional baseball game in America, striking out the only batter he faced.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rinku Singh makes history|url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090714/ARTICLE/907139920/2050/SPORTS|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=14 July 2009|access-date=7 April 2012|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208134520/http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090714/ARTICLE/907139920/2050/SPORTS|url-status=dead}}</ref> He finished the season with a 1–2 record and a 5.84 ERA in 11 games, allowing just one run on three hits in his final six appearances.

Singh went 2–0 with a 2.61 ERA over 13 games with the Pirates GCL affiliate in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rinku Singh stats|publisher=Minor League Baseball|url=http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=573653|access-date=17 September 2009|archive-date=12 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712084651/http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=573653|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the end of August, Singh was promoted to the Pirates Class A Short-Season affiliate, the [[State College Spikes]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Langosh|first=Jenifer|title=Minor Matters|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100830&content_id=14111320&notebook_id=14111372&vkey=notebook_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit|date=30 August 2010|access-date=9 April 2012|archive-date=5 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105102343/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100830&content_id=14111320&notebook_id=14111372&vkey=notebook_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit|url-status=live}}</ref> He met with [[US President]] [[Barack Obama]] at a White House Heritage Month event on 24 May 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-28/others/28302571_1_soccer-team-ronaldinho-soccer-player|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103125752/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-28/others/28302571_1_soccer-team-ronaldinho-soccer-player|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 November 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Uttar Pradesh baseballers Rinku and Dinesh meet Obama, Ronaldinho|date=28 May 2010}}</ref> Singh played for the [[Canberra Cavalry]] of the [[Australian Baseball League]] for the competition's inaugural [[2010–11 Australian Baseball League regular season|2010–11 season]], going 1–0 with a 3.94 ERA in 16 innings pitched.<ref>{{cite web|title=Individual Player Statistics|publisher=Canberra Cavalry Official Website|access-date=10 February 2011|url=http://web.theabl.com.au/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ibp&cid=4066&stn=true&sid=t4066|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208133230/http://web.theabl.com.au/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ibp&cid=4066&stn=true&sid=t4066|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Singh opened the 2011 season in the [[Dominican Summer League]]. Singh pitched well in eight games spread over the DSL, [[Gulf Coast League]], and [[New York–Penn League]], then joined the [[West Virginia Power]] of the [[South Atlantic League]] in July 2011. Singh returned to the Australian Baseball League for the 2011–12 season with the [[Adelaide Bite]]. He made the World All-Star team for the [[2011 Australian Baseball League All-Star Game]]. In 2012, he pitched in a career-high 39 games for the Power, throwing 72 innings, earning a 3–1 win–loss record and striking out 65 batters.<ref name=BR>{{cite web|title=Rinku Singh Minor League Statistics & History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=singh-001rin|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=22 March 2014|archive-date=22 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322121911/http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=singh-001rin|url-status=live}}</ref> Singh struggled with injuries and missed the entire 2013 season, but he was invited to 2014 spring training by the Pirates.<ref name=Bloom>{{cite web|last=Bloom|first=Barry|title='Million Dollar Arm' Singh aiming for Major Leagues|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/barry-m-bloom-million-dollar-arm-rinku-singh-aiming-for-major-leagues?ymd=20140205&content_id=67480206&vkey=news_mlb|work=[[MLB.com]]|access-date=22 March 2014}}</ref> Singh also missed the entire 2014 season due to [[Tommy John surgery]].<ref name=Crasnick>{{cite web|last=Crasnick|first=Jerry|title=Two in a billion: From India to U.S. to big screen: The journeys of Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/10935566/million-dollar-arm-remarkable-journeys-rinku-singh-dinesh-patel|work=[[ESPN.com]]|date=15 May 2014|access-date=16 May 2014|archive-date=4 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104095751/http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/10935566/million-dollar-arm-remarkable-journeys-rinku-singh-dinesh-patel|url-status=live}}</ref> Singh also missed all of the 2015 season due to a broken elbow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.piratesprospects.com/2015/03/minor-league-injury-updates-holmes-heredia-ramirez-luplow-eppler-frazier-singh.html|title=Minor League Injury Updates: Holmes, Heredia, Ramirez, Luplow, Eppler, Frazier, Singh|author=Tim Williams|work=piratesprospects.com|access-date=18 September 2015|archive-date=13 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913105615/http://www.piratesprospects.com/2015/03/minor-league-injury-updates-holmes-heredia-ramirez-luplow-eppler-frazier-singh.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bucconation.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/rinku-singh-to-miss-the-2015-season/|title=Rinku Singh to Miss the 2015 Season|work=Bucco Nation|date=April 2015|access-date=18 September 2015|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208225557/https://bucconation.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/rinku-singh-to-miss-the-2015-season/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Pirates re-signed Singh on 9 November 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bucconation.wordpress.com/2015/11/09/pirates-re-sign-rinku-singh/|title=Pirates Re-Sign Rinku Singh|work=Bucco Nation|date=9 November 2015|access-date=10 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222172457/https://bucconation.wordpress.com/2015/11/09/pirates-re-sign-rinku-singh/|url-status=live}}</ref> He made one appearance for the rookie–level [[Gulf Coast League Pirates]] in 2016, pitching one scoreless inning.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} He elected free agency following the season on 7 November 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pirates Minor League Free Agents and Why Brandon Cumpton Isn't Eligible|url=https://www.piratesprospects.com/2016/11/pirates-minor-league-free-agents-and-why-brandon-cumpton-isnt-eligible.html|access-date=19 June 2023|website=piratesprospects.com|language=en|archive-date=19 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619185543/https://www.piratesprospects.com/2016/11/pirates-minor-league-free-agents-and-why-brandon-cumpton-isnt-eligible.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Professional wrestling career ==
On 14 January 2018, Singh signed a contract with American [[professional wrestling]] promotion [[WWE]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/million-dollar-arm-rinku-singh-reports-to-wwe-performance-center|title=Former MLB pitcher joins WWE Performance Center|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=3 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903034704/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/million-dollar-arm-rinku-singh-reports-to-wwe-performance-center|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 March 2020 episode of ''[[WWE NXT|NXT]]'', Singh, [[Saurav Gurjar]], and manager [[Stokely Hathaway|Malcolm Bivens]] made their televised debut, attacking [[NXT Tag Team Champion]] [[Matt Riddle]]. The following week, Bivens introduced them as Rinku and Saurav, while revealing their team name to be Indus Sher (meaning Indian Tigers).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garettson |first1=Jordan |title=Indus Sher def. Ever-Rise |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2020-04-08/article/indus-sher-def-ever-rise |website=WWE.com |access-date=8 January 2023 |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108195046/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2020-04-08/article/indus-sher-def-ever-rise |url-status=live }}</ref> On 8 April episode of ''NXT'', Indus Sher defeated [[2point0|Ever-Rise]] in their debut match. Indus Sher vanished from television after June.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gibbons |first1=Aidan |title=WWE NXT Tag Team Were Pulled From TV Because Of Matt Riddle's Main Roster Call-Up |url=https://cultaholic.com/posts/wwe-nxt-tag-team-were-pulled-from-tv-because-of-matt-riddle-s-main-roster-call-up |website=Cultaholic |date=4 June 2020 |access-date=8 January 2023 |archive-date=4 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104232203/https://cultaholic.com/posts/wwe-nxt-tag-team-were-pulled-from-tv-because-of-matt-riddle-s-main-roster-call-up |url-status=live }}</ref> At [[Superstar Spectacle]] on 22 January 2021, Rinku and Saurav resurfaced and teamed with [[Drew McIntyre]] in a six-man tag-team match to defeat [[Jinder Mahal]] and [[The Bollywood Boyz]].

On 10 May episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', Singh, with the new ring name Veer, along with [[Shanky]], would align themselves with Jinder Mahal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Former WWE Champion Returns During WWE Raw|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-jinder-mahal-returns-injury-new-faction-beats-jeff-hardy/|access-date=11 May 2021|website=WWE|language=en|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511004802/https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-jinder-mahal-returns-injury-new-faction-beats-jeff-hardy/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[2021 WWE Draft|2021 Draft]], Mahal and Shanky were drafted to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown brand]] while Veer remained on the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw brand]], ending their alliance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/latest-wwe-draft-results-2021|title=See all the results from the 2021 Draft|access-date=6 October 2021|archive-date=15 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015104250/https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/latest-wwe-draft-results-2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Raw10042021">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/10/04/10-4-wwe-raw-results-powells-live-review-of-the-wwe-draft-night-two-goldberg-returns-the-build-to-wwe-crown-jewel-continues/|title=10/4 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of the WWE Draft night two, Goldberg returns, the build to WWE Crown Jewel continues|date=4 October 2021|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=5 October 2021|archive-date=5 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005061332/https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/10/04/10-4-wwe-raw-results-powells-live-review-of-the-wwe-draft-night-two-goldberg-returns-the-build-to-wwe-crown-jewel-continues/|url-status=live}}</ref> Now a singles wrestler, Veer's ring name was tweaked to Veer Mahaan.<ref>{{cite tweet|author=[[WWE]]|user=WWE|number=1455347382573576192|title=VEER MAHAAN COMING TO #WWERaw|date=1 November 2021|access-date=9 November 2021}}</ref> After months of vignettes hyping his debut, Mahaan finally returned to television on 4 April 2022 episode of ''Raw'', attacking [[Rey Mysterio|Rey]] and [[Dominik Mysterio]].<ref name="Raw04042022">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/04/04/4-4-wwe-raw-results-powells-live-review-of-the-raw-after-wrestlemania-with-undisputed-wwe-universal-champion-roman-reigns-the-return-of-cody-rhodes-new-raw-womens-champion-bianca-belair-appears/|title=4/4 WWE Raw results: Powell's live review of the Raw After WrestleMania with Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, the return of Cody Rhodes, new Raw Women's Champion Bianca Belair appears, the "debut" of Veer Mahaan|first=Jason|last=Powell|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=4 April 2022|access-date=5 April 2022|archive-date=14 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614103221/https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/04/04/4-4-wwe-raw-results-powells-live-review-of-the-raw-after-wrestlemania-with-undisputed-wwe-universal-champion-roman-reigns-the-return-of-cody-rhodes-new-raw-womens-champion-bianca-belair-appears/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/wwe-monday-night-raw-results-for-may-9th-2022/|title=WWE Monday Night Raw Results for May 9th, 2022|work=WrestlingNews.co|date=9 May 2022|access-date=9 May 2022|archive-date=10 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510055203/https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/wwe-monday-night-raw-results-for-may-9th-2022/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mahaan would go on to defeat the Mysterios in separate matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/videos/veer-mahaan-dominates-opponents-wwe-playlist|title=Veer Mahaan dominates opponents: WWE Playlist|publisher=[[WWE]]|date=23 May 2022|access-date=5 October 2022|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005162205/https://www.wwe.com/videos/veer-mahaan-dominates-opponents-wwe-playlist|url-status=live}}</ref> On the 4 October episode of ''NXT'', Mahaan returned to the developmental brand, teasing a reunion with his former tag team partner Saurav, now known as [[Saurav Gurjar|Sanga]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/videos/a-disheartened-sanga-spots-an-old-friend-wwe-nxt-oct-4-2022|title=Sanga reunites with his old friend Veer: WWE NXT, Oct. 4, 2022|publisher=[[WWE]]|date=4 October 2022|access-date=5 October 2022|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005162206/https://www.wwe.com/videos/a-disheartened-sanga-spots-an-old-friend-wwe-nxt-oct-4-2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Mahaan returned to the main roster as he and Indus Sher were drafted to the Raw brand in the [[2023 WWE Draft]]. On 18 March 2024 episode of ''Raw'', he and Sanga were defeated by [[Awesome Truth]] for a spot in the [[Ladder match|six-pack ladder match]] for the [[Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship]] at [[WrestleMania XL]]. On the 5 April 2024 episode of ''Smackdown'', he appeared in the [[André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal]], where he was eliminated by the [[Creed Brothers]]. On 20 April 2024, Mahaan announced that he had been released by WWE, along with the rest of Indus Sher.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tessier |first1=Colin |date=20 April 2024 |title=Veer Released By WWE |url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1466044-veer-released-by-wwe |work=Wrestlezone |access-date=20 April 2024 |archive-date=20 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420082054/https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1466044-veer-released-by-wwe |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Film ==
{{main|Million Dollar Arm}}
Singh and Patel's story is the basis for the [[Walt Disney Pictures]] sports film ''Million Dollar Arm'', in which Singh was portrayed by [[Suraj Sharma]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Disney's "Million Dollar Arm" begins production|url=http://www.waltdisneystudios.com/corp/news/1320|publisher=[[The Walt Disney Studios (production company)|The Walt Disney Studios]]|access-date=16 June 2013|format=Press release|date=30 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616105506/http://www.waltdisneystudios.com/corp/news/1320|archive-date=16 June 2013}}</ref><ref name=Sharma>{{cite news|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|title='Life of Pi' Star Suraj Sharma Joins Jon Hamm in Disney's 'Million Dollar Arm' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/life-pi-star-suraj-sharma-winds-million-dollar-arm-exclusive-86276|access-date=16 June 2013|newspaper=The Wrap|date=17 April 2013|archive-date=31 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531210019/https://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/life-pi-star-suraj-sharma-winds-million-dollar-arm-exclusive-86276|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2009, [[Columbia Pictures]] purchased the screen rights to the story of Singh and Patel.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sony Making Movie About Pirates' Rinku Singh And Dinesh Patel|url=http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/8/1/1599266/sony-movie-pirates-rinku-singh-dinesh-patel-indian-prospects-sylvester-stallone|publisher=SB Nation|date=1 August 2010|access-date=9 April 2012|archive-date=31 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331103920/https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/8/1/1599266/sony-movie-pirates-rinku-singh-dinesh-patel-indian-prospects-sylvester-stallone|url-status=live}}</ref> The project stalled and eventually producers [[Joe Roth]] and [[Mark Ciardi]] set the film up at [[Walt Disney Pictures]]. Upon acquiring ''[[Million Dollar Arm]]'', Disney hired [[Tom McCarthy (director)|Tom McCarthy]] to write the film.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tom McCarthy to Write Sports Drama Million Dollar Arm|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|url=https://collider.com/tom-mccarthy-to-write-sports-drama-million-dollar-arm/|date=8 February 2011|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108070854/https://collider.com/tom-mccarthy-to-write-sports-drama-million-dollar-arm/75186/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jon Hamm]] played [[J. B. Bernstein]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Jon Hamm Sports Million Dollar Arm for Disney|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|url=https://collider.com/jon-hamm-million-dollar-arm/|date=9 May 2012|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=5 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105204231/https://collider.com/jon-hamm-million-dollar-arm/165214/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title='Mad Men's Jon Hamm To Play Sports Deal Maker in Disney's 'Million Dollar Arm'|url=https://deadline.com/2012/05/mad-mens-jon-hamm-to-play-sports-deal-maker-in-disneys-million-dollar-arm-269303/|date=9 May 2012|access-date=16 November 2024|archive-date=8 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208021011/https://deadline.com/2012/05/mad-mens-jon-hamm-to-play-sports-deal-maker-in-disneys-million-dollar-arm-269303/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
In 2012, Singh became a vegetarian after he witnessed several men in [[Bhadohi]] chasing a chicken in order to kill it.<ref name=Ali>{{cite news|last=Ali|first=Qaiser M.|title=Baseball player Rinku Singh turns vegetarian ahead of Australian Baseball League|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/baseball-player-rinku-singh-non-vegetarian-food-117858-2012-10-04|access-date=22 March 2014|newspaper=[[India Today]]|date=5 October 2012|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208124822/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/baseball-player-rinku-singh-non-vegetarian-food/1/223492.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During his baseball career, he said that he recited the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] devotional hymn ''[[Hanuman Chalisa]]'' and listened to the [[Eminem]] song "[[Not Afraid]]" before pitching.<ref name=Ali />

Following his WWE release, Singh became a [[Sannyasa|sannyasi]], a renunciate Hindu monk.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coulson |first=Josh |date=25 January 2025 |title=Released WWE Superstar Renounces Their Belongings To Become A Hindu Monk |url=https://www.thesportster.com/released-wwe-superstar-veer-mahan-hindu-monk/ |access-date=12 April 2026 |website=TheSportster |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1 November 2025 |title=He wrestled with John Cena in WWE, but now is a sweeper at Premanand Ji Maharaj's ashram. Who is Rinku Singh? |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/he-wrestled-with-john-cena-in-wwe-but-now-is-a-sweeper-at-premanand-maharajs-ashram-who-is-rinku-singh/articleshow/125009479.cms?from=mdr |access-date=12 April 2026 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons}}
*{{IMDb name}}
*{{Professional wrestling profiles}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081207070126/http://www.themilliondollararm.com/blog/ Million-Dollar Arm blog]

{{Portal|Biography|Baseball|India}}
{{baseballstats|brm=singh-001rin}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Rinku}}
[[Category:1988 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian baseball players]]
[[Category:Indian expatriate baseball players in the United States]]
[[Category:Indian male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Lucknow]]
[[Category:Gulf Coast Pirates players]]
[[Category:Canberra Cavalry players]]
[[Category:State College Spikes players]]
[[Category:Adelaide Bite players]]
[[Category:West Virginia Power players]]
[[Category:Dominican Summer League Pirates players]]
[[Category:Expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:Guru Gobind Singh Sports College, Lucknow alumni]]
[[Category:Expatriate baseball players in Australia]]
[[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]]

Rinku Singh (baseball) - Revision history

Priyupranav: Starting First Bio Initial Version - done