Sonjay Dutt

This article is about the professional wrestler. For the actor, see Sanjay Dutt.
Sonjay Dutt

Dutt in November of 2006
Birth name Retesh Bhalla[1]
Born (1982-04-07) April 7, 1982[1]
Washington, D.C.[1]
Website SonjayDutterson.com
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Monster J[1]
Schwagg Dutt[2]
Samosa Monster[2]
Sonjay Dutt[1]
Billed height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Billed weight 185 lb (84 kg)[1]
Billed from Bombay, India
Bollywood, India[1]
Trained by Larry Sharpe[1]
Jon Dalton[1]
Debut September 2000[1]

Retesh Bhalla[1] (born April 7, 1982)[1] is an Indian-American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Sonjay Dutt. He is best known for his appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. He is also known for his stints with Combat Zone Wrestling, Major League Wrestling, and other various independent promotions. His ring name is modeled after that of famous Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt.[3]

Professional wrestling career

Early career

Dutt's parents moved to the United States from India before he was born, though most of his extended family still lives in New Delhi. Dutt graduated from the KYDA Pro Wrestling training school in northern Virginia. He later worked for KYDA Pro wrestling for the first two years of his professional career.[4]

Dutt got his first break wrestling in Major League Wrestling in 2003 where he debuted the Dragon Rana on Jimmy Yang at the promotion's August 3 event, Summer Apocalypse. Dutt would go on to win an international tournament, hosted by MLW in September 2003 to win the company's Junior Heavyweight Championship, defeating Tony Mamaluke, Eddie Colón, and Christopher Daniels.[1] In an early 2004 MLW Junior Heavyweight Title match Dutt pinned Jack Evans to retain the title at MLW Reloaded.[1]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

Debut (2003-2006)

Dutt made his debut for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) on October 15, 2003, when he teamed with Eric Young to defeat Jerrelle Clark and El Fuego in a tag team match.[1] He began working regularly for the promotion the following year.[1] In May 2004, Dutt began a Best of Three Series with Amazing Red to determine the number one contender to the TNA X Division Championship, which Red won.[1] Throughout the summer of 2004 Dutt participated in the America's X-Cup as a part of Team USA along with Jerry Lynn, Chris Sabin, and Elix Skipper against Team AAA (Héctor Garza, Mr. Águila, Juventud Guerrera, and Abismo Negro).[1] After several months, Dutt became the onscreen protégé of Sabu, with Raven using him to vicariously assault Sabu. In addition, Dutt acted as a mouthpiece for the perpetually mute Sabu.[1] This angle was postponed and then dropped after Sabu was sidelined with various health problems, and in the interim Dutt made appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment, provoking rumors of an imminent contract offer.

Dutt's presence in TNA was reduced in late-2004 and early-2005 during the tenure of Dusty Rhodes as booker, but his role within the promotion was once again expanded after Rhodes resigned. Dutt won a four-way X Division match at No Surrender on July 17, 2005, to qualify for the 2005 Super X Cup.[5] He lost to Samoa Joe, however, in the first round of the tournament.

In September 2005, Dutt, Shark Boy, and Simon Diamond spent two weeks in India, where they visited several cities, promoting the debut of Impact! on ESPN Star Sports.[1] On September 28 in Bhopal, a riot broke out when 1000 fans were excluded from an event after attendance exceeded expectations. None of the three TNA wrestlers were injured.

At Bound for Glory on October 23, Dutt defeated Austin Aries, Roderick Strong, and Alex Shelley in a four way X Division match on the pre-show.[6] In 2006, Dutt earned a spot on Team USA in the 2006 World X Cup.[7]

Alliance and Feud with Jay Lethal (2006-2009)

Throughout late 2006 and early 2007, Dutt was involved in the Paparazzi Championship Series, led by Kevin Nash, who insinuated throughout the PCS Challenge that Dutt was taking steroids, as a running joke, which would usually lead to the hotheaded Dutt comically losing his temper. Although he did not win the series, it put him over with the fans. After PCS ended, Nash took Dutt and his newfound tag team partner Jay Lethal under his wing and promised to give them an extreme makeover. After Lethal got a new character mimicking the "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Kevin Nash attempted to get Sonjay a new character as well. All of these attempts were Kevin Nash's past gimmicks, including Oz, Vinnie Vegas, and Diesel, all of which Sonjay despised.

On the April 26 episode of Impact!, Dutt and Lethal won a shot at the X Division Championship held by Chris Sabin at Sacrifice. Dutt was unhappy at Lethal getting the pinfall, however, Dutt and Lethal started fighting with each other. Kevin Nash came out and separated the two, but Dutt kicked him and left the ring.[8] On a later episode of Impact!, Dutt apologized to Nash and claimed "it was the heat of the moment". Nash forgave Dutt but warned him not to do it again.[9]

On June 7, Dutt introduced a new gimmick reminiscent of a Zen in which he called himself "The Guru" Sonjay Dutt. As part of the gimmick, he began dressing all in white, and apologized to Nash and Lethal for his behavior.[10] At Victory Road, Dutt competed in the 10 man Ultimate X match in an attempt to become the number one contender for the X Division Championship, but was eliminated in the Gauntlet portion of the match.[11]

Dutt and Lethal began to have some problems when Dutt began showing interest in Lethal's on-screen girlfriend SoCal Val. Dutt participated in the Xscape match at Lockdown where he was the first participant eliminated.[12] At Slammiversary, Dutt ruined Lethal and SoCal Val's wedding, when he begged Val to marry him instead. Dutt attacked Lethal, and began a villainous turn, which led to Dutt and Lethal facing off in matches at Victory Road and Hard Justice, splitting the victories.[13][14][15] At No Surrender, Val turned on Lethal and assisted Dutt in winning a "Ladder of Love" ladder match.[16]

On February 20, 2009, Dutt left TNA after his contract expired due to he and TNA management being unable to come to terms on a new deal.

Independent circuit (2009–present)

Dutt in January 2011.

Since making his TNA debut, he has worked for independent promotions such as Ring of Honor, UWA, Combat Zone Wrestling, MXW Pro Wrestling, VCW and NWA Virginia and has toured Japan with Pro Wrestling Zero1.[1] He also has wrestled for HUSTLE in Japan as a member of the stable Takada Monster Army under the ring name "Monster J".[17] On July 28, 2006, Dutt lost to Último Dragón in UWA. In November 2006, Sonjay returned to UWA and won the 2006 Grand Prix Tournament Championship.

On May 9, 2008, Dutt was announced as the eighth and final participant in the Chikara 2008 Rey de Voladores tournament, having previously competed in the 2007 King of Trios alongside The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) as Team TNA. On June 21, 2008, he appeared at a Combat Zone Wrestling show, where he was defeated by Pinkie Sanchez. He appeared on the July 12, 2008 show to team with Chuck Taylor in a losing effort against Pinkie Sanchez and Ruckus. On September 19, 2008, he teamed up with Shelley and Sabin to challenge Último Guerrero, Atlantis, and Negro Casas for the CMLL World Trios Championship at the company's 75th Anniversary Show, but were unable to defeat the reigning champions.[18]

After leaving TNA, Dutt returned to Japan to compete for Pro Wrestling Zero1, after a four-year hiatus, and on March 15, 2009, defeated Ikuto Hidaka to win the Zero1 International Junior Heavyweight Championship.[19] Dutt vacated the title on November 29, 2009, for the Tenka-Ichi 2009 tournament. He attempted to regain the title, but was eliminated from the tournament in the semifinals by Prince Devitt.[20]

Dutt made his Pro Wrestling Guerrilla debut on April 11, 2009, at Ninety-Nine, where he defeated Roderick Strong in a singles match.[21] The following day at One Hundred, the promotion's 100th show, he was defeated by El Generico.[22] Since leaving TNA, Dutt has also begun making appearances for Ring of Honor.[23] He made his return to the company on May 8, 2009, in Boston, MA, wrestling in a 3-way dance with Eddie Edwards and Bryan Danielson, who ended up winning the match.[24] On August 31 Dutt made his Ring of Honor Wrestling debut in a losing effort against Delirious, with whom he would feud for the rest of the year.[25]

After an eleven-month break from Ring of Honor, Dutt returned to the promotion on December 17, 2010, replacing an injured Kenny Omega and facing ROH World Champion Roderick Strong in a losing effort in a non–title match.[26] At the following day's Final Battle 2010 pay-per-view Dutt again replaced Omega and faced Eddie Edwards in another losing effort.[27]

In 2011, it was revealed that Dutt would take part in a new hiphop/pro wrestling collaboration, the Urban Wrestling Federation, with taping of the first event "First Blood" taking place on June 3.[28] On June 19 Dutt, working under the ring name Schwagg Dutt, was announced as being a part of the roster of All Wheels Wrestling.[2] At the pilot tapings on June 29, Dutt was first defeated in a five-minute Iron Man match by Aaron Aguilera, before defeating him, Dubai and RPM (Jay Lethal) in an Ultimate X match.[29] In December 2011, Dutt took part in TNA's India project, Ring Ka King.[30] On July 27, 2013, Dutt was defeated by Jay Lethal in the first round for the vacant ROH World Championship.[31] On November 9, 2013, Dutt defeated Ben Ortiz at House of Hardcore 3. Sonjay, along with Zema Ion appeared on Singapore Pro Wrestling's Collision on 11 January 2014. He faced Russian wrestler Serg White. On 12 March 2014, Sonjay dutt was defeated by El Ligero In a Revolution Pro event. On 5 May 2014, At Continental Wrestling Federation Dutt defeated John Morrison to Capture the CWF United States Championship.[32]

Return to TNA (2012–2013, 2015)

On June 28, 2012, Dutt returned to TNA, defeating Rubix to qualify for a tournament for the TNA X Division Championship.[33] On July 8 at Destination X, Dutt defeated Rashad Cameron to qualify for the finals of the tournament.[34] Later that same event, Dutt was defeated by Zema Ion in the final Ultimate X match, which also included Kenny King and Mason Andrews.[34] During the match, Dutt legitimately separated his shoulder and had to leave the match momentarily to get it popped back into place.[35] Dutt returned on the July 26 episode of Impact Wrestling as one of four men vying for a shot at the X Division Championship, however, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries opted not to grant him the shot due to his injured shoulder, instead naming Kenny King the number one contender.[36] Dutt returned to TNA during the August 31 and September 1 house shows, working against Zema Ion.[37][38] On September 5, Dutt was named the number one contender to Ion's X Division Championship at No Surrender.[39] Four days later, Dutt was defeated in his pay-per-view title match.[40] On the September 13 episode of Impact Wrestling, Dutt again unsuccessfully challenged Ion for the X Division Championship.[41] On January 12, 2013, Dutt returned to TNA to take part in TNA X-Travaganza, teaming with Petey Williams in a tag team match, where they were defeated by Christopher Daniels and Kazarian.[42] Dutt returned to Impact Wrestling on March 21, unsuccessfully challenging Kenny King for the X Division Championship in a three-way match, also involving Zema Ion.[43] On July 18, Dutt won a 3-way match against Homicide and Petey Williams to get a shot at the X-Division Title on July 25. On July 25, Dutt was defeated by Manik in the Ultimate X for the TNA X Division Championship, which also included Greg Marasciulo. On August 21, Dutt returned to Impact Wrestling where he wrestled against TNA X Division Champion Manik in a losing effort. On December 30, 2013, Dutt was part of TNA #Old School wrestled against Chris Sabin and Austin Aries in a three-way dance, where Aries emerged victorious.[44]

Dutt returned to TNA on the July 27, 2015 episode of Impact Wrestling, where he lost a TNA X Division Championship match against Tigre Uno.[45]

Global Force Wrestling (2015–present)

On May 13, 2015, Global Force Wrestling (GFW) announced Dutt as part of their roster.[46] He made his debut for the promotion at GFW's first-ever event on June 12, where he defeated Jamin Olivencia.[47] On November 27, 2015, Dutt defeated PJ Black for the GFW NEX*GEN Championship.[48] Dutt retained in his first international title defense on March 2, 2016, retaining over Marty Scurll in Exeter, UK.[49]

Other media

Dutt was featured in the 2004 video game Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood and the 2008 video game TNA Impact!. Dutt also did some of the motion capturing for Saints Row: The Third.

In wrestling

  • "The Mamu"
  • "The American Monkey"
  • "The Guru"[3]
  • "The Original Playa from the Himalaya"[3]

Championships and accomplishments

  • APWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[58]
  • DZW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Sean Lei

GeneraXion Lucha Libre

  • GLL Hatun Auqui Championship (1 time, current)
  • GWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Sean Lei
  • KYDA Pro Mid-Atlantic Championship (2 times)
  • NWA Impact Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • PCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[62]
  • Grand Prix Tournament (2006)[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 "Sonjay Dutt profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  2. 1 2 3 Meltzer, Dave (2011-06-24). "Stars named for wrestling show pilot". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  3. 1 2 3 Barnwell, Bill (2008-08-14). "Sonjay Dutt Confirmed For TNA Impact". IGN. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  4. ↑ "KYDA Pro Training - Wrestlers". KYDA Pro Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  5. ↑ Clevett, Jason (2005-07-19). "No Surrender a success". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  6. ↑ Kapur, Bob (2005-10-24). "Rhino upsets Jarrett at Bound for Glory". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  7. ↑ Sokol, Chris (2006-05-15). "TNA makes good on Sacrifice PPV". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  8. ↑ Sokol, Chris (2007-04-26). "Impact: Nothing can stop Angle". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  9. ↑ Sokol, Chris (2007-05-17). "Impact: Making sense of the title situation". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  10. ↑ Sokol, Chris (2007-06-08). "Impact: Harris & Storm miss the Mountain". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  11. ↑ Sokol, Chris (2007-07-16). "Victory Road full of surprises". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  12. ↑ Sokol, Chris (2008-04-13). "TNA Lockdown: Joe captures gold". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  13. ↑ Waldman, Jon (2008-06-08). "Slammiversary: No gimmicks needed for thumbs up PPV". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  14. ↑ Kapur, Bob (2008-07-13). "Main event mars Victory Road". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  15. ↑ Pollock, John (2008-08-11). "Hard Justice delivers action and teases". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  16. ↑ Clevett, Jason (2008-09-14). "No Surrender a bore". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  17. ↑ Hustlers - J amongst J, The Monster J Hustle official (Japanese)
  18. ↑ "CMLL 75th Anniversary Show". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
  19. ↑ "ZERO1 Wins NWA Intercontinental Tag Titles back! Jr. Heavyweight Title Lost to WPF!". ZeroOneUSA. 2009-03-15. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
  20. ↑ "Hidaka Wins Tenka-Ichi 2009! Wishes for Tag Match with WWE's Funaki!". ZeroOneUSA. 2009-11-30. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
  21. ↑ "Ninety-Nine". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
  22. ↑ "One Hundred". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
  23. ↑ Martin, Adam (2009-03-31). "Former TNA star heading to ROH". WrestleView. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  24. ↑ Martin, Adam (2009-05-09). "5/8 ROH Results: Boston, MA". WrestleView. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
  25. ↑ Martin, Adam (2009-09-01). "ROH on HDNet Results - 8/31/09". WrestleView. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
  26. ↑ Thomas, Jeremy (2010-12-18). "ROH Results 12.17.10 – Plymouth, Massachusetts". 411Mania. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
  27. ↑ Caldwell, James (2010-12-18). "Caldwell's Ring of Honor PPV report 12/18: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of "Final Battle 2010" - Strong vs. Richards, Generico vs. Steen". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
  28. ↑ Martin, Adam (2011-05-06). "UWF roster update and hip hop stars involved". WrestleView. Retrieved 2011-05-13.
  29. ↑ Martin, Adam (2011-06-30). "Spoilers: All Wheels Wrestling pilot TV tapings". WrestleView. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
  30. ↑ Martin, Adam (2011-12-13). "Names confirmed for TNA's India TV project". WrestleView. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  31. ↑ Caldwell, James (2013-07-28). "ROH News: New ROH tag champions, Results from Night 1 of ROH Title tournament". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2013-07-28.
  32. ↑ "CWF United States Championship history".
  33. ↑ Caldwell, James (2012-06-28). "Caldwell's TNA Impact Wrestling results 6/28: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact - BFG Series, Tag Title main event". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
  34. 1 2 Caldwell, James (2012-07-08). "Caldwell's TNA Destination X PPV results 7/8: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV - Roode vs. Aries, new X Division champion, Angle vs. Joe". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
  35. ↑ Caldwell, James (2012-07-08). "X Division injury at Dest. X PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  36. ↑ Caldwell, James (2012-07-26). "Caldwell's TNA Impact Wrestling results 7/26: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact - BFG Series matches, interim GM". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
  37. ↑ Witham, Rob (2012-09-01). "8/31 TNA results Richmond, Va.: Second detailed report on six-man tag main event, Angle works hurt, Dutt cameo". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  38. ↑ Parrot, L. (2012-09-02). "9/1 TNA Basebrawl results Bowie, Md.: Rain Delay affects show, big six-man tag main event, Aces & Eights rep fights Hardy". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  39. ↑ Caldwell, James (2012-09-05). "TNA News: First two matches for No Surrender on Sunday; updated PPV line-up". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  40. ↑ Caldwell, James (2012-09-09). "Caldwell's TNA No Surrender PPV results 9/9: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV - BFG Series finals". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
  41. ↑ Caldwell, James (2012-09-13). "Caldwell's TNA Impact results 9/13: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact - No Surrender fall-out, Aries-Hardy hype begins". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2012-09-13.
  42. ↑ Trionfo, Richard (2013-01-12). "RVD vs. Jerry Lynn: Full TNA One Night Only X-Travaganza results". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  43. ↑ "CALDWELL'S TNA IMPACT RESULTS 3/21: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Impact from Chicago - new #1 contender to TNA Title, two title matches, Lockdown fall-out".
  44. ↑ "TNA One Night Only #Old School results". Wrestling Inc. 30 December 2013.
  45. ↑ http://www.lordsofpain.net/reports/tna/impact/SPOILERS_TNA_Impact_Wrestling_Tapings_from_7_27_15.html
  46. ↑ "Global Force Wrestling Roster". Global Force Wrestling. 2015-05-15. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  47. ↑ "Show results - 6/12 GFW in Jackson, Tenn.: First-ever Global Force Wrestling show features Bullet Club main event, more (w/Photos)". Pro Wrestling Torch. 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  48. 1 2 Meltzer, Dave (2015-11-28). "Global Force Wrestling sees one of its titles change hands". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  49. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=144771
  50. ↑ Caldwell, James (2008-06-12). "CALDWELL'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 6/12: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV show". PWTorch. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  51. ↑ Martin, Adam (2009-10-03). "ROH on HDNet Results - 9/28/09". WrestleView. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  52. 1 2 "Bodyslamming profile". Bodyslamming. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
  53. ↑ Boutwell, Josh (2008-10-17). "Impact Results - 10/16/08 - Orlando, FL". WrestleView. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  54. ↑ Boutwell, Josh (2009-01-23). "Impact Results - 1/22/09 - Orlando, FL". WrestleView. Retrieved 2012-07-29.
  55. ↑ McNeill, Pat (2005-11-03). "McNEILL IMPACT REPORT 11/3: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live show". PWTorch. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  56. ↑ "Wrestler Entrance Music". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
  57. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrH_1FOahIA&playnext_from=TL&videos=vxFnanq7JIU
  58. ↑ "APWA". Cagematch. Retrieved 2012-11-06.
  59. ↑ "CWF United States Championship history".
  60. 1 2 "Cagematch title history". Cagematch. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
  61. ↑ "Major League Wrestling". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  62. ↑ "Independent Wrestling Results - February 2005". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  63. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2008". Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  64. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=1224
  65. ↑ Droste, Ryan (2006-05-19). "iMPACT! Results - 5/18/06 (X Cup, Rhino vs. Abyss - KOTM Qualifying)". WrestleView. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  66. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (January 22, 2007), "2006 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards", Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Campbell, CA), pp. 1–12, ISSN 1083-9593
  67. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=147383

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sonjay Dutt.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, May 06, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.