Tiger Jeet Singh, the legendary Indian wrestler is the subject of a new documentary by award winning director Lalita Krishna of In-Sync Video. The story follows Tiger from his early days in Toronto as a protégé of Fred Atkins to his battles in Japan working for Antonio Inoki's NWF.

Rare photos and video footage highlight this well-organized and thoughtful look at one of the premier 'madman' type wrestlers in the modern era. Director Krishna combines footage of Tiger the family man with that of his crazed wrestling persona and while now over 60 years old, is still in excellent shape and a driven man in front of the crowds.

Tiger's wrestling career started in 1965 when the young strongman decided to approach Toronto promoter Frank Tunney about breaking into the business. Tunney, recognizing the cultural diversity in the city saw a place for Singh and partnered him with veteran Fred Atkins to learn the pro game.

Atkins, who would later referee during the MLWP era was known to be a tough and demanding trainer and Tiger reflects on the pain and punishment of the training regimens noting that he 'ran away' from the sessions at one point.

Atkins would convince Tiger to return and in addition to wrestling solo, they would form a successful tag team taking on the fan-favorite teams of the day and winning the International Tag Titles from Whipper Watson & Bulldog Brower in July 1966. Tiger would win a share of the belts again in 1968 with partner Wild Bull Curry.

In early 1967, Singh would begin to headline at MLG with bouts vs Mighty Igor leading into a feud with then U.S. (Toronto) Champ Johnny Valentine with Tiger winning the title in June 1967. The re-matches would be indecisive including a 60 minute draw on a successive card. Next up was a win over the legendary Edouard Carpentier and he would also receive a title shot vs NWA champ Gene Kiniski losing by disqualification.

In an effort to end the feud with Valentine a 90 minute bout was booked but the two would go to a draw once again. After another Tiger dq, a two hour time limit bout was then set up with the stipulation that if Tiger was dq'ed he would lose the title. In another ironman-like performance the two would go the full two hours to yet another draw.

In late 1967, Tiger would earn title shots vs WWWF champ Bruno Sammartino losing both bouts by disqualification. Singh would continue to defend his U.S Title against worthy challengers including Don Leo Jonathon, 'Bulldog' Brower and 'Dandy' Dan Miller.

In late 1968, the fans would see a new man, Tiger was teaming with former foe Whipper Watson and facing the heels of the day before leaving the area for a time. Tiger explains in the documentary that the payoffs were very low so he decided to return to his family farm in India for a time.

Upon his return to Toronto, Tiger would enter into a succesful feud with U.S. Champion The Sheik that would sell-out MLG and make Tiger a legend among the large Sikh community in the area. Tiger recalls accepting a cheque from Frank Tunney for $6800 and thinking that there had somehow been a mistake. He had come a long way from the $25 a match paydays of his early days.

While still competing in the Toronto area, Singh would spend a lot of his time overseas as one of the most hated men in Japanese wrestling history. The fans would scatter as Tiger forced his way through the crowd waving a sabre and screaming wildly and he would earn his share of titles in the mid 1970's.

During the MLW years Singh would make sporadic appearances here even managing a win over Ric Flair and a title shot vs AWA World Champ Nick Bockwinkel in 1979. In the early 80's Tiger would return to feuding with old nemesis The Sheik on The Wildman's Indy circuit in addition to the occasional MLG card.

Thanks to Gary Will
Toronto Wrestling History
Canadian Page Of Fame
 
See also Video Pics - Sheik vs Singh 1974
 
top pic courtesy of Lalita Krishna

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