Hideo Itami: WWE NXT’s Forgotten Man

Fans may have forgotten about this man, but Hideo Itami arguably started the NXT rise in 2014.

For about 18 months, WWE NXT has dominated the wrestling scene as arguably the hottest brand. The live specials consistently deliver, they have gone from the small Full Sail University to 10,000-seat venues, and the fans are some of the most passionate ones.

A big part of this NXT uprising can be attributed to the top talents from around the world signing with developmental. Names like Asuka, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, among others have all played a part in this success. However, there is one man often left out of this group because he hasn’t been seen in a long time. This Superstar arguably began NXT’s takeoff to the next level.

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Does anyone remember Hideo Itami?

In 2014, the signing of KENTA from Pro Wrestling NOAH was made to be a huge deal. There was a videotaped signing in Japan with major stars attending, including WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan.

Eventually, KENTA debuted at NXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way on Sep. 11, 2014. He came out to much fanfare as GM William Regal introduced the Japanese star who later dubbed himself as Hideo Itami. The Ascension would come out, he fended them off, and the NXT career of the International Sensation took off.

Unfortunately, Itami’s debut may have been his biggest highlight of his career.

For a few months, Hideo would battle Konnor and Viktor, often getting outnumbered. It became clear that he needed help and someone would indeed be on the way.

During this test run before the help came, Itami had a few singles matches. None of them really clicked with the crowd, though, as the transition to the WWE style wasn’t going smooth. He used a double stomp as his finisher in his opening match that missed the mark badly. This was followed by a something of a dropkick that had the same thud of the first closing move.

Finally, on Nov. 6, 2014, help would arrive in the form of Finn “Prince Devitt” Balor. The crowd freaked out for NXT’s newest Superstar and he felt like a star right off the bat. His presence, intensity, and charisma gleaned immediately.

The rise of Balor continued through the next month while Itami kind of lingered.

NXT TakeOver: R Evolution may have been Itami’s biggest lowlight, though. He didn’t have a bad match when teaming up with Finn to face The Ascension, but to say he was overshadowed would be an understatement. This event was the first time fans saw the Demon version of Balor.

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He didn’t have a bad match when teaming up with Finn to face The Ascension, but to say he was overshadowed would be an understatement. This event was the first time fans saw the Demon version of Balor and were captivated. He came out in full body paint that made fans watching at Full Sail University and at home be in awe.

Then there was Itami, who seemed like the sidekick.

Going into 2015, NXT pushed Balor to the forefront, but below Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. He became the new No. 1 Contender to the NXT Championship just three months into his debut, passing up Itami. They squared off in semifinals of this tournament to determine who went to TakeOver: Rival to face Neville to send Balor forward.

After that, Itami drifted into a feud with Tyler Breeze where they may have wrestled about 10 times. Wins were traded back and forth with nothing for Itami really being gained. He still looked uncomfortable in the ring and just wasn’t connecting with the fans.

Then in late Mar., something seemed to be clicking.

Itami began teasing the use of the Go to Sleep finisher, better known as the GTS, on TV. It actually started at TakeOver: R Evolution, but became more frequent in 2015. The greatest reactions he received were when he prepped to use this move, only for his opponent to prevent it from happening. The day he hit this move would be the one that finally got him over with the crowd, just like Balor and Owens.

However, this would only come to fruition at a live event where only a few thousand saw this.

Why did this only occur then, though?

First, just note his WrestleMania 31 appearance. He didn’t do much, so we’ll skip over it.

Itami’s toughest break came in the weeks leading up to TakeOver: Unstoppable. He was set to face Breeze and Balor to determine the No. 1 Contender to the NXT Championship but suffered a shoulder injury. This was supposed to keep him out around six months after someone attacked him before the live special.

This took place on May 20, 2015. We are now on Apr. 10, 2016.

Hideo Itami is still absent.

Barely any news or rumors have come out about the former GHC Heavyweight Champion returning to NXT. It’s been speculated that (likely) multiple setbacks have occurred, but nothing got confirmed.

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We still have no idea when Itami is coming back, and at this point, he probably needs to get back as soon as possible before he somehow gets more lost than he already has.

The plan was for Itami to be WWE’s Japanese face of their marketing. He was supposed to sell those WWE Network subscriptions overseas as this top star who was going to do great things in WWE. Then some guy named Shinsuke Nakamura came along.

The second that the King of Strong Style stepped into a WWE ring, he seemed to have ended any type of “transition”, which can’t be said about Itami. Granted, Nakamura is a generational talent, but Itami was supposed to be a megastar too. His adjustment was still ongoing, though, even after being in WWE for 8 months.

TakeOver cards have also been stacked up over the past year with new signings, proving how lost in the shuffle Itami really is. Austin Aries just had his first NXT match. Bobby Roode is about to invade NXT and get a prominent role. Asuka won the NXT Women’s Championship from the Face of NXT in Bayley. Samoa Joe has headlined two consecutive live specials. Finn Balor also became the top male Superstar during this time and is about to become the longest reigning NXT Champion. It would seem that the match card is crowded, right?

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Well, based on recent events, Itami may have received a break.

Apollo Crews, Baron Corbin, and the team of Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady are all on the main roster as of Monday. Balor, Joe, and Bayley may follow them this year as well. Sami Zayn even joined WWE full time before WrestleMania 32. That means the opportunities are opening in NXT and someone like Itami may have a spot.

We could get to a point where the NXT men are headlined by Nakamura, Aries, Roode, and the team of Chad Gable and Jason Jordan. This is without including Manny “La Sombra” Andrade, who is said to be highly regarded. This would make the top of the main event scene in Triple H’s brand mostly covered, but not without space. Itami could easily slip in there and feud with and of those singles stars. How about a match between him and Shinsuke at a future TakeOver event?

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When Itami signed with WWE, he was 33 years old. Now he’s 35 and obviously not getting any younger. The clock is ticking on his future and if he wants it to be with this United States company, he’s going to have to get back soon, unless he could be healthy and just not being used. That would mean the possible end for his time in NXT. But if that’s the case, what are they waiting for?