Mojo Rawley

src: upload.wikimedia.org

Dean Muhtadi (born July 17, 1986) is an American professional wrestler and former defensive lineman currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Mojo Rawley.

Video Mojo Rawley

Football career

Early years

At T. C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia, Muhtadi was a four-year starter along the defensive and offensive lines. He also was the team's punter during his last two years. He finished second in the Patriot District in sacks in 2004, and broke the school's all-time punting record with a long of 76 yards against West Springfield High School.

Throughout his high school playing career, Muhtadi started games at defensive tackle, end, nose guard, and outside linebacker on defense, and at offensive tackle, guard, center, and tight end on offense. He was also the team's punter and kicker. Often his position changed every week to shadow the opposing team's best player. Muhtadi was an All-District choice at both defensive line and punter, as well as the team MVP.

College career

In 2004 and 2005, Muhtadi played college football for Division III Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. After redshirting his freshman season due to mononucleosis, Muhtadi started at defensive tackle for the Captains his sophomore year. He then transferred to the University of Maryland in the Atlantic Coast Conference where he earned a scholarship, and a starting position. In 2008, Muhtadi finished third in sacks for the Terrapins. He was also only the second player in the past 15 years to play all defensive line positions in a game for the Terrapins.

Muhtadi currently owns several of Maryland's all-time records for strength and speed: 225 lb. Bench Press Test: 36 repetitions (Team Record) 40 Yard Dash: 4.78 (Defensive Tackle Record) Power Clean: 390 lbs. (Defensive Line Record) Vertical Jump: 36.5 inches (Defensive Line Record) Pro Agility (20-yard shuttle): 4.37 (Defensive Line Record)

Academics

At Christopher Newport, Muhtadi was awarded a full academic scholarship. While also being named the top student-athlete on the team, Muhtadi was a two-time All USA South Athletic Conference All-Academic Selection, a member of the President's Leadership Program, Honors Program, and Student Executive Board of the Business School. He also received the Edith McMurran Honors Scholarship for the student who best demonstrates the balance of leadership, public service, and academic excellence.

In his three years at Maryland, Muhtadi was one of the top student-athletes in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In 2008, Muhtadi won the Jim and Pat Thacker Postgraduate Scholarship for being one of the top student-athletes in the ACC for all sports and all schools. In 2007 and 2008, Muhtadi also received the George Boutselis Memorial Award for being the letterman with the highest academic average on the football team. He also was named to the All-ACC Academic Team in 2008 and was a three-time Dean's List student. Muhtadi received his MBA from the Smith Business School MBA Program.

Professional football career

Green Bay Packers

Muhtadi was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent following the 2009 NFL Draft on May 4, 2009. He earned his contract on a tryout basis by being one of three players signed out of 25 trying out for the team. Muhtadi was the only player on the depth chart listed at both Defensive End and Nose Guard. On September 3, 2009, in a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans, Muhtadi finished third on the team with 5 tackles, 1 for loss, and a forced fumble. Toward the end of the game, Muhtadi forced a fumble to save a touchdown. He was waived the next day.

Arizona Cardinals

Muhtadi was signed by the Arizona Cardinals on January 20, 2010 to play defensive line. Muhtadi became training partners with Darnell Dockett as the two competed against one another every day in workouts. He was injured during training camp and placed on Injured Reserve.

Maps Mojo Rawley

Professional wrestling career

WWE

NXT (2012-2016)

Muhtadi spent 18 months rehabilitating from the injury he sustained with the Arizona Cardinals. During his recovery, he had received offers to return to the NFL and to work in financial services, but instead opted to become a professional wrestler with WWE by August 2012. He joined WWE's developmental territory WWE NXT and he adopted the ring name "Mojo Rawley".

Rawley made his television debut on the May 29, 2013 episode of NXT, competing in a battle royal that was won by Bo Dallas.

On the October 9 episode of NXT, Rawley adopted a high-energy character based on the concept of "staying hyped"; Rawley explained that if getting hyped allowed superhuman achievements, he would take it one level higher by staying hyped. Rawley defeated CJ Parker at NXT Arrival and then went on an unbeaten streak, defeating CJ Parker, Sylvester Lefort and Oliver Grey, among others. He also took part in a battle royal to determine the new number one contender where he made it to the final seven before being eliminated by Jason Jordan.

On May 29, 2014 at NXT TakeOver event, Rusev beat down Rawley. Rawley then formed a team with Bull Dempsey, but they lost in the 1st round of the number one contenders tournament for the tag titles, causing Dempsey to turn on Rawley. The two faced off at NXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way with Rawley losing, he also lost a rematch a few weeks later. In October, Rawley suffered an shoulder injury that would take him out of action for four to six months.

The Hype Bros (2015-2017)

In June 2015, Zack Ryder debuted in NXT, and returning Rawley formed an alliance with him, dubbing themselves as The Hype Bros. On the June 10 episode of NXT, The Hype Bros went on to defeat Elias Samson and Mike Rallis. On August 22 at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, The Hype Bros teamed up with Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady to defeat Jason Jordan, Chad Gable and The Mechanics (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson) in an 8-man tag team match. On the October 16 episode of NXT, The Hype Bros competed in a match for the NXT Tag Team Championship in a losing effort. On the October 22 episode of NXT, Rawley competed in a 26-man battle royal to determine the number one contender for the NXT Championship, he was unsuccessful, although he was among the last few competitors in the match. On the November 11 episode of NXT, The Hype Bros teamed up with Bayley during an intergender tag team match against Blake and Murphy and Alexa Bliss, where they emerged victorious. On the February 10, 2016, episode of NXT, The Hype Bros defeated Corey Hollis and John Skyler in a tag team match.

On July 19, Rawley was called up to the main roster as a supplemental pick in the 2016 WWE draft, being selected in the 11th round by SmackDown where his partner Zack Ryder was also drafted too. He made his main roster debut at Battleground, helping Ryder against being assaulted post-match by Rusev. On the SummerSlam pre-show, The Hype Bros teamed with American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable) and The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) to face The Vaudevillains (Aiden English and Simon Gotch), Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango), and The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) in a 12-man tag team match, where The Hype Bros' team was victorious. On the August 30 episode of SmackDown, they defeated The Vaudevillains to advance in the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship Tournament. The Hype Bros were later eliminated by Heath Slater and Rhyno in semifinals. The Hype Bros would later get a second chance to face Heath Slater and Rhyno in the final at Backlash after American Alpha were injured by The Usos, in a losing effort. On the October 25 episode of SmackDown, The Hype Bros defeated The Ascension to qualify as part of Team SmackDown for the 10-on-10 Survivor Series Tag Team Elimination match at Survivor Series. On the December 13 episode of SmackDown, The Hype Bros won a multi-team battle royal for a chance to take on The Wyatt Family for the titles, but Ryder sustained a knee injury, cancelling their #1 contender status.

After Ryder's injury was determined, the following week on SmackDown, Rawley defeated Curt Hawkins. On the January 24, 2017 episode of SmackDown, Rawley won a battle royal to earn a spot in the 2017 Royal Rumble match. At the event, Rawley entered at number four and was eliminated by Braun Strowman. He defeated Hawkins on the Elimination Chamber pre-show. On the March 7 episode of SmackDown, Rawley announced his participation in the André the Giant Battle Royal. On the March 14 episode of SmackDown, Rawley faced Dolph Ziggler, which he won by countout. On the WrestleMania 33 kickoff show, Rawley won the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal with the last elimination of Jinder Mahal.

After six months of inactivity, Ryder returned on the June 13 episode of SmackDown, reuniting with Rawley. On June 18, at the Money in the Bank pre-show, The Hype Bros faced The Colóns (Primo and Epico Colón) in a winning effort. Two days later on SmackDown, Shane McMahon announced that The Hype Bros would have an opportunity to become number one contenders for the SmackDown Tag Team championship at the June 27 episode of SmackDown in a match against tag team champions The Usos, in which they were defeated.

Singles competition (2017-present)

After several weeks of losing matches causing dissension between the team, both Rawley and Ryder began to claim that a change was needed. On the November 28 episode of SmackDown Live, after losing to The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan), Rawley attacked Ryder, turning heel in the process for the first time in his career. Rawley appeared on the December 5 episode of SmackDown Live, claiming Ryder was dead weight. Rawley and Ryder had a match scheduled at the Clash of Champions pre-show which Rawley won. A rematch was scheduled for these two in the first round of United States Championship tournament which was again won by Rawley. On the January 16, 2018 episode of SmackDown Live, Rawley lost to Bobby Roode in the semi-finals of the tournament. At Royal Rumble, Rawley answered Bobby Roode's open challenge for the United States Championship, but was unsuccessful in winning the title.

Mojo Rawley vs. Jinder Mahal: photos | WWE

src: www.wwe.com

Personal life

Muhtadi is the son of T.J. Muhtadi and Maria Muhtadi-Roach. He has four siblings. While in the seventh grade, Muhtadi began working for the financial services firm Morgan Stanley as an intern. After graduating from high school, Muhtadi continued to work for Morgan Stanley. He is also good friends with NFL player Rob Gronkowski, who attended WrestleMania 33 and got physically involved during his match and helped him win the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Muhtadi made a cameo appearance in 3LAU's video for his song "On My Mind". Muhtadi is fluent in Arabic.

The Wrestling Blog: Mojo Rawley Is a #Nice Tipper

src: 3.bp.blogspot.com

In wrestling

Finishing moves
- Hyper Drive (Seated senton or fireman's carry drop)
- Running forearm smash to a cornered opponent
- Tilt-a-whirl powerslam
Signature moves
- Big boot
- Chop block
- Jumping hip attack
- Stinger splash, sometimes multiple times
- Sleeper hold
- Spinebuster
- Cravate
- Choke bomb
With Zack Ryder
- Double team finishing moves
  - Hype Ryder (Rough Ryder (Ryder) / Spinebuster (Rawley) combination)
Entrance themes
- "Meat Your Metal" by Serval Attack (NXT)
- "Believe The Hype" by CFO$ (NXT)
- "Stay Hype, Bro" by CFO$ (NXT/WWE; used while teaming with Zack Ryder)
- "The New Hype (Killer Instinct)" by CFO$ (WWE)

Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley are hyped for their reunion: June 18 ...

src: i.ytimg.com

Championships and accomplishments

Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked him #111 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2017
WWE
- André the Giant Memorial Trophy (2017)

Bobby Roode vs. Mojo Rawley - U.S. Title Tournament Semifinal ...