Rohit Raju Ghosted By Promotions Following IMPACT Departure
The former X Division Champion left IMPACT earlier this year
As one of the most high profile performers in IMPACT’s storied X Division over the last few years, you’d assume Rohit Raju would have no trouble finding a new home after leaving IMPACT.
However, you’d be wrong, as Raju - once again going under the Hakim Zane gimmick - has revealed that he has been ghosted by several promotions since entering the free agents market.
"A lot of indies, and some disappointment,” started Zane on the Alliance Pro Wrestling podcast. “You hit up these promotions and they don't hit you back. It is what it is. Luckily, AEW hit me up and flew me down for Dark. I've kind of just been going to the shows and trying to get what I can. They treated me really well. I don't know where that will go, but hopefully, it will go somewhere. I'll keep hustling and just trying to pick up Indie shows.”
Zane wrestled the January and February AEW Dark tapings, but neither match has seen the light of day thus far:
"When I announced I was a free agent, they [AEW] hit me up and asked if I wanted to come down and do Dark. I said yes. I had one match the first time I went, I don't think it ever aired. I don't know what was up with that. The other match, I don't know if that will air or not. I think they were just seeing how I operate. They knew who I was and knew of my work, but I think they just wanted to see me up close.
“It was cool. It was a really cool experience and I was grateful and happy to be there and be a part of it. Obviously, I want more. I want anything I can get at the moment. It sucks sometimes because you know you're worth and if other people don't or don't want to take a chance on it, it's a hard pill to swallow, especially in pro wrestling because there are so many untalented people who are unsigned, whether they are name value or not. You're just all competing and trying to eat off the same plate and it can be very tough. We just have to keep moving forward."
Two names mentioned as possible destinations for Zane were MLW and the NWA, but Zane himself admitted these were two of the companies who ghosted him:
"I hit them up and got nothing back. It was kind of a bummer,” continued Zane. “I know Myron Reed said, 'hit these guys up.' Matt Cardona helped out a lot with NWA, but nobody hit me back up. I would love to do those, especially NWA. You get me in front of that podium and let me go off, I was built for that. That style of wrestling too, I would really love a shot there to have some fun. Same thing with New Japan, I just never heard anything back.”
H/T: Fightful