Jump to content

Rohit Raju

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by DepressedPer (talk | contribs) at 11:30, 25 November 2022 (→All Elite Wrestling (2022) =). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Rohit Raju
Born (1980-08-17) August 17, 1980 (age 44)
Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Hakim Zane
Mad Dragon
Rohit Raju
Billed height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Billed weight172 lb (78 kg)
Billed fromHyderabad, India
Trained byXavier Justice
Debut2008

Rohit Raju is an American professional wrestler best known for his time with Impact Wrestling, where he is a former one-time Impact X Division Champion. Before working for Impact Wrestling, he worked over 10 years on the independent circuit in promotions including Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling (XICW). He signed a contract with Impact in 2017, where he debuted as part of Desi Hit Squad.

Professional wrestling career

Early career

Under the ring name Hakim Zane, he debuted between 2008 and 2009. From then on, Zane worked in matches in promotions including for the National Wrestling Alliance and several NWA affiliates.

Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling (2013–2018)

On April 14, 2013, Zane held his first title as co-holder of the XICW Tag Team Championship with TD Thomas.[1] They held the tag titles until September 8, 2013 at XICW 167: Jacobs vs. Venom, where they lost the titles to challengers Sonny Scarboni and Vinnie Scarboni.[2] The following year, Zane won his first singles championship on April 27, 2014 at XICW 177: Jacobs vs. Shelley, where he defeated The DBA to win the XICW Midwest Heavyweight Championship.[3] He later lost the title on December 14 at XICW 187 Hardcore with a Heart, to former WWE Cruiserweight Shannon Moore.[4]

The following year in 2015, Zane won the XICW Light Heavyweight Championship on January 17, 2015 at XICW Best in Detroit VIII, defeating Caleb Stills, Chris Sabin and Owen Travers in a four-way match.[5] Three months later on April 12 at XICW 192, Zane lost the Light Heavyweight title to Owen Travers in a two-out-of-three-falls match.[6] Zane later won the Midwest Heavyweight title for a second time. His second reign began on June 5, 2016 at XICW 210 after defeating Rhino.[7] He went on to defend the Midwest Heavyweight title against challengers including Robbie E and Matt Cross. His final title defense was August 7, 2016 at XICW 213, successfully defeating Cross.

During 2017, Zane competed for the XICW Tag Team and Midwest Heavyweight titles on several occasions, however did not succeeding either title for a second time. He returned for one last match during a July 13, 2018 XICW show, challenging Jimmy Jacobs for the Midwest Heavyweight title but did not succeed in winning the championship.

Impact Wrestling

Sporadic appearances (2017–2018)

On the May 11, 2017 episode of Impact!, Zane teamed with Idris Abraham in a tag match lost against Garza Jr. and Laredo Kid.[8] Six months later, Zane returned and wrestled in his first singles match. During the November 30 episode of Impact!, Zane lost his debut singles match to Taiji Ishimori.[9] He made his final televised appearance of the year on the December 9 episode of Xplosion, losing to Eddie Edwards.[10]

Zane returned the following year on the January 11, 2018 episode Impact!, teaming with Caleb Konley and Trevor Lee in a six-man tag match lost to Dezmond Xavier, Garza Jr. and Sonjay Dutt.[11] The following month on the February 8 episode of Impact!, Zane debuted the ring name Rohit Raju, teaming with El Hijo del Fantasma in a tag match lost against Ishimori and Matt Sydal.[12]

Desi Hit Squad (2018–2020)

On March 16 (which was taped on March 3) at Impact One Night Only: March Breakdown, Raju debuted with Gursinder Singh as the Desi Hit Squad. During the event, they defeated Sheldon Jean and Stone Rockwell.[13][14] On the March 22 episode of Impact!, Raju challenged for the X Division Championship but lost to the reigning champion Sydal.[15] For the course of the year, Raju and Gursinder Singh shared the ring as teammates and as opponents. Their final match was a singles competition during the October 11 episode of Impact! in which he defeated Gursinder Singh. By the November 1 episode of Impact!, the Desi Hit Squad was modified with the addition of Raj Singh, replacing Gursinder Singh. During the episode, they defeated The Beach Bums (Freddie IV and TJ Crawford). Raju wrestled his final match of the year on the November 22 episode of Impact!, teaming with Eli Drake, Jake Crist, Katarina and Glenn Gilbertti in the Second Annual Eli Drake Gravy Train Turkey Trot match, losing to Fallah Bahh, Alisha Edwards, Kikutaro, KM and Dezmond Xavier.[16]

The following year, Raju returned with Raj Singh on the January 3, 2019 episode of Impact! in a tag team match against Bahh and KM, which was observed an "audition" by Impact Knockout Scarlett Bordeaux. The match concluded with the Desi Hit Squad losing to Bahh and KM.[17] During the January 25 episode of Impact!, the Desi Hit Squad lost another tag team bout to The Rascalz (Dez and Wentz).[18] During the early months of 2019, Raju competed in tag matches. On March 9 at Impact Wrestling-OVW One Night Only: Clash In The Bluegrass, Raju teamed with oVe (Dave Crist and Jake Crist), Madman Fulton in a tag match against Dustin Jackson, Melvin Maximus, Sam Thompson and Shiloh Jonze.

X Division Champion (2020–2022)

On August 18, 2020, during Night 1 of Emergence, Raju defeated Chris Bey to win the X Division Championship in a three-way match that also involved TJP.[19] On the September 15 episode of Impact!, he had Bey, TJP and Trey compete in a three-way match next week to determine who will face him for the title immediately afterwards, which Trey won but Raju quickly defeated him in his first title defense.[20][21] At Victory Road, he issued the Defeat Rohit Challenge with his X Division Championship on the line, which was answered by Willie Mack but he took the count-out loss to retain the title.[22] On the October 6 episode of Impact!, Raju lost to Jordynne Grace who answered his challenge, but changed the rules so that the title wasn't up for grabs.[23] At Bound for Glory, Raju successfully retained his X Division Championship in a six-way intergender scramble match that involved Bey, Grace, TJP, Mack and Trey, the latter of which he pinned to win the match.[24] On November 14 at Turning Point, Raju retained his title against Cousin Jake.[25] On the November 24 episode of Impact!, he lost to Crazzy Steve disguised as Suicide, but managed to defeat him on the following week to retain his title.[26][27] At Final Resolution, Raju lost the title to Manik, ending his reign at 120 days.[28]

On January 16, 2021, at Hard to Kill, he failed to regain the X Division Championship in a three-way match that also involved Bey.[29] On the February 2 episode of Impact!, Raju defeated TJP in a non-title bout, with help from returning Desi Hit Squad ally Mahabali Shera.[30] At No Surrender, he failed to recapture the X Division title and put the blame on Shera during the following week's Impact!, resulting in him getting shoved into Chris Sabin and James Storm, and the latter hitting Raju with a beer bottle on the head.[31][32] Raju would lose to Storm on the March 2 episode of Before the Impact and team with Shera in a losing effort against him and Sabin on the following week's Impact!, the latter of which saw his alliance with Shera end.[33][34] This led to a match between the two on the March 16 episode of Impact!, where Raju won after using the ropes.[35] On the March 30 episode of Before the Impact, Raju teamed up with Hernandez to defeat Shera and Fallah Bahh.[36] On April 10, at Hardcore Justice, he realigned himself with Shera after helping him against Hernandez in a Chairly Legal match.[37]

On the May 13 episode of Impact!, Raju competed in a six-way match to determine the number one contender for the X Division Championship, which was won by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) talent El Phantasmo.[38] Two days later, at Under Siege, he teamed with Shera in a four-way tag team match to determine who will get a shot at the Impact World Tag Team Championship, which was won by Ace Austin and Madman Fulton.[39] On June 12, at Against All Odds, Raju competed in a five-way match to determine a number one contender for the X Division title, but it ended in a no contest.[40] At Slammiversary, Raju failed to win the title in an Ultimate X match, which was won by defending champion Josh Alexander.[41] On the August 5 episode of Impact!, he lost a four-way match to determine the number one contender to the X Division title, which was won by Jake Something.[42] Raju went on to feud with Matt Cardona after costing him a match on the following week's Impact!, but failed to beat him in a one-on-one bout at Emergence.[43][44] On the September 2 episode of Impact!, Raju teamed with Shera to face Cardona and Chelsea Green in a tag team match, with Raju getting the pin after hitting the latter with a knee strike.[45] At Victory Road, he took on Cardona in a no disqualification match, but was defeated by him.[46]

On the September 23 episode of Impact!, Raju defeated Chelsea Green in an intergender match, after a distraction from returning Desi Hit Squad ally Raj Singh.[47] On the October 14 episode of Impact!, he competed in a three-way semi-final match to determine who will go on to Bound for Glory in another three-way match for the vacant X Division Championship, which was won by El Phantasmo.[48] At Bound for Glory, Raju participated in the Call Your Shot Gauntlet match, where the winner could choose any championship match of their choice, eliminating NJPW talent Rocky Romero and Madman Fulton but was eliminated by Moose and W. Morrissey.[49] He left Impact in January 2022.[50][51]

All Elite Wrestling (2022)

On January 15, 2022, Rohit made his AEW debut on AEW Dark #138 in a losing effort to Shawn Dean. He has wrestled a handful of matches for AEW since.

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ a b "XICW Tag Team Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  2. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (September 8, 2013). "The Scarbonis (Sonny Scarboni & Vinnie Scarboni) defeated Hakim Zane & TD Thomas". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  3. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 27, 2014). "Hakim Zane defeated The DBA at XICW 177: Jacobs vs. Shelley". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (December 14, 2014). "XICW 187 Hardcore With A Heart - Event @ The Ritz in Warren, Michigan, USA". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  5. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (January 17, 2015). "XICW Best In Detroit VIII - Event @ Imperial House in Clinton Townchip, Michigan, USA". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  6. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 12, 2015). "XICW 192 - Event @ Ritz in Warren, Michigan, USA". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  7. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (June 5, 2016). "XICW 210 - Event @ Imperial House in Clinton Township, Michigan, USA". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  8. ^ Bocook, Gerald (May 12, 2017). "Impact Wrestling Results – 5/11/17 (Alberto El Patron vs. Magnus)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  9. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 7, 2017). "Impact Wrestling #698 - TV-Show @ Aberdeen Pavilion in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  10. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 10, 2017). "Impact Wrestling Xplosion #690 - TV-Show @ Aberdeen Pavilion in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  11. ^ Csonka, Larry (January 11, 2018). "Csonka's Impact Wrestling Review 1.11.18". 411Mania. Archived from the original on May 17, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  12. ^ Csonka, Larry (February 8, 2018). "Csonka's Impact Wrestling Review 2.08.18". 411Mania. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  13. ^ "BCW/Impact Wrestling One Night Only: March Breakdown « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". CageMatch. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  14. ^ Csonka, Larry (March 17, 2018). "Csonka's Impact Wrestling One Night Only March Breakdown 2018 Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  15. ^ Csonka, Larry (March 22, 2018). "Csonka's Impact Wrestling Review 3.22.18". 411Mania. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  16. ^ Gunier, Robert (November 22, 2018). "Impact Wrestling Results (11/22): Gravy Train Turkey Trot, Cage Vs. Johnny Impact Confirmed". Wrestling Inc. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  17. ^ Decker, Kyle (January 4, 2019). "Impact Wrestling results, review & video (Jan. 3, 2019): One Last Time". Cageside Seats. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  18. ^ Dunning, Kyle (January 25, 2019). "Impact Wrestling Results – January 25, 2019". eWrestlingNews. Archived from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  19. ^ Garza, Antonio (August 18, 2020). "Impact Wrestling Results: Emergence Night One". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  20. ^ Coder, Brie (September 15, 2020). "Impact Wrestling Results: Eight-Man Tag Main Event, TJP Takes On Trey, Knockouts Tag Match, More". Wrestling Inc. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  21. ^ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (September 22, 2020). "IMPACT! on AXS TV Results – September 22, 2020". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  22. ^ Manolo Has Pizzazz (October 4, 2020). "Impact Victory Road 2020 recap & reactions: Rohit Raju steals the show as X-Division Champion". Cageside Seats. Archived from the original on October 10, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  23. ^ Coder, Brie (October 6, 2020). "Impact Wrestling Results: Motor City Machine Guns Vs. Austin & Fulton, Knockouts Tag Action, More". Wrestling Inc. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  24. ^ Gagnon, Joshua (October 24, 2020). "Impact Bound For Glory Results: Eric Young Vs. Rich Swann, Multiple Title Changes". Wrestling Inc. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  25. ^ Cook, Ryan (November 14, 2020). "IMPACT Wrestling Presents Turning Point Results Swann Retains, New Knockouts & Tag Champions Crowned". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  26. ^ Toro, Carlos (November 24, 2020). "The Wee-nomenal One AJ Swoggle Appears On IMPACT Wrestling, Pins Ethan Page". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  27. ^ Beaston, Erik (December 1, 2020). "IMPACT Wrestling Results: Winners, Grades and Reaction from December 1". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  28. ^ Cook, Ryan (December 12, 2020). "IMPACT Wrestling Final Resolution Results Swann, Purrazzo Retain, Karl Anderson Victorious". Fightful. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  29. ^ Powell, Jason (January 16, 2021). "1/16 Impact Wrestling Hard To Kill results: Kenny Omega, Doc Gallows, and Karl Anderson vs. Rich Swann, Moose, and Chris Sabin, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Taya Valkyrie for the Knockouts Title, Manik vs. Chris Bey vs. Rohit Raju for the X Division Title, Ethan Page vs. Karate Man". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  30. ^ Moore, John (February 2, 2021). "2/2 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Moore's review of Rich Swann and Tommy Dreamer vs. Moose and Chris Bey, X Division Champion TJP vs. Rohit Raju in a non-title match, Josh Alexander vs. Madman Fulton, Jordynne Grace vs. Susan". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  31. ^ Cook, Ryan (February 13, 2021). "IMPACT Wrestling No Surrender 2021 Results & Live Coverage Rich Swann vs Tommy Dreamer". Fightful. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  32. ^ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (February 16, 2021). "IMPACT! on AXS TV Results: February 16, 2021". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  33. ^ "Impact Wrestling Before The Impact #3". Cagematch. March 3, 2021. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  34. ^ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (March 9, 2021). "IMPACT! on AXS TV Results – March 9, 2021". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  35. ^ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (March 16, 2021). "IMPACT! on AXS TV Results – March 16, 2021". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  36. ^ "Rohit Raju & Hernandez vs Shera & Fallah Bahh: Full Match". Impact Wrestling. March 31, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  37. ^ Lilly, Darrin (April 11, 2021). "4/10 Impact Wrestling Hardcore Justice 2021 Report: Purrazzo vs. Jazz, Matt Cardona in action, big eight-man tag main event". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  38. ^ Moore, John (May 14, 2021). "5/13 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Moore's review of Moose, Sami Callihan, and Chris Bey vs. Trey Miguel, Chris Sabin, and Matt Cardona, Rosemary vs. Havok for a shot at the Knockouts Title, Ace Austin vs. El Phantasmo vs. Rohit Raju vs. TJP vs. Petey Williams vs. Acey Romero for a shot at the X Division Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  39. ^ Beaston, Erik (May 15, 2021). "Impact Under Siege 2021 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  40. ^ Cook, Ryan (June 12, 2021). "IMPACT Wrestling Against All Odds Results & Live Coverage Kenny Omega vs Moose, Purrazzo vs Rosemary". Fightful. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  41. ^ Powell, Jason (July 17, 2021). "7/17 Impact Wrestling Slammiversary results: Powell's live review of Kenny Omega vs. Sami Callihan in a No DQ match for the Impact World Championship, Deonna Purrazzo defends the Knockouts Championship against a mystery challenger, Ultimate X for the X Division Championship, Moose vs. Chris Sabin". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  42. ^ Powell, Jason (August 6, 2021). "8/5 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Powell's review of Kenny Omega, Doc Gallows, and Karl Anderson vs. Sami Callihan, Frankie Kazarian, and Eddie Edwards, Chris Bey vs. Juice Robinson, Jordynne Grace and Rachael Ellering vs. Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  43. ^ Moore, John (August 13, 2021). "8/12 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Moore's review of a Battle Royal for a shot at the Impact World Championship, Tenille Dashwood vs. Taylor Wilde, X Division Champion Josh Alexander vs. Shawn Daivari, Jay White and Chris Bey vs. Juice Robinson and David Finlay". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  44. ^ Coder, Brie (August 20, 2021). "Impact Wrestling "Emergence" Results: Christian Cage Defends Against Brian Myers". Wrestling Inc. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  45. ^ Moore, John; Powell, Jason (September 3, 2021). "9/2 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Moore's review of Ace Austin vs. Tommy Dreamer, X Division Champion Josh Alexander's open challenge, Rohit Raju and Shera vs. Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green, Taylor Wilde, Jordynne Grace, and Rachael Ellering vs. Madison Rayne, Tenille Dashwood, and Kaleb". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  46. ^ Cook, Ryan (September 18, 2021). "IMPACT Wrestling Presents Victory Road Results Christian Cage vs Ace Austin". Fightful. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  47. ^ Moore, John (September 24, 2021). "9/23 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Moore's review of Josh Alexander's promo following his Option C announcement, Hikuleo vs. David Finlay, Rohit Raju vs. Chelsea Green, the latest appearance of Mickie James, Bound For Glory build begins". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  48. ^ Moore, John (October 15, 2021). "10/14 Impact Wrestling TV results: Moore's review of a Battle Royal to determine the first and last entrants in the Call Your Shot battle royal, Rohit Raju vs. Willie Mack vs. El Phantasmo in a qualifier for the Triple Threat to crown the new X Division Champion, Chris Bey vs. Chris Sabin, Savannah Evans vs. Lady Frost, VSK vs. Rich Swann". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  49. ^ Moore, John (October 23, 2021). "10/23 Moore's Impact Wrestling Bound For Glory live review: Christian Cage vs. Josh Alexander for the Impact World Championship, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Mickie James for the Knockouts Title, Steve Maclin vs. Trey Miguel vs. El Phantasmo for the vacant X Division Title, Call Your Shot gauntlet". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  50. ^ Rohit Raju [@HakimZane] (January 2, 2022). "Rohit Raju/Hakim Zane on Twitter: "As of today I am a free agent. Where would you like to see me next?"" (Tweet). Retrieved January 3, 2022 – via Twitter.
  51. ^ Defelice, Robert (January 2, 2022). "Rohit Raju (Hakim Zane) Is Now A Free Agent". Fightful. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  52. ^ "Hakim Zane defeated PACO". CageMatch. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  53. ^ "Rohit Raju and Raj Singh defeated Aiden Prince & Brent Banks". CageMatch. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  54. ^ "Hakim Zane defeated Myron Reed". CageMatch. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  55. ^ "Impact X-Division Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  56. ^ "Hakim Zane defeated Gavin Quinn and Orlando Christopher". CageMatch. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  57. ^ "Hakim Zane defeated Caleb Stills and Chris Sabin and Owen Travers in a fatal four-way match". CageMatch. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  58. ^ "Hakim Zane defeated The DBA". CageMatch. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  59. ^ "Hakim Zane defeated Orlando Christopher and Donnie Hollows and Jake Something". CageMatch. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rohit_Raju&oldid=1123738252"