Former Impact X-Division Champion Rohit Raju debuts at AEW Dark tapings
Former Impact Wrestling X-Division Champion Rohit Raju made his AEW debut Saturday as part of the doubleheader of Dark tapings at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
Raju (Hakim Zane) wrestled once, losing to Captain Shawn Dean in the second half of the tapings. It’s unknown at this time when the match will air.
Raju’s contract with Impact expired at the end of 2021, making him a free agent. This was his first match of 2022 in any promotion.
The 41-year-old won the X-Division title in August 2020, holding it for four months. His last appearance for Impact was at December’s Throwback Throwdown.
AEW has used the Orlando Dark tapings to work in some interesting names in recent months including Raju and Ring of Honor Pure Champion Josh Woods.
Saturday’s tapings also saw the return of several former WWE NXT wrestlers like Anthony Greene, Marina Shafir and Tiger Ruas. Indie wrestler Megan Bayne also returned for the tapings, picking up yet another win as it appears AEW has future plans for both she and Shafir.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.