WWE Announces Release of Tye Dillinger, Hideo Itami, and TJP

Following the recent reports of various superstars requesting their release or looking to leave WWE, the company announced multiple departures today. 205 Live stars Hideo Itami and TJP, as well as SmackDown Live’s Tye Dillinger, have been released from WWE.

While some of these moves were expected, it’s always important when WWE makes a potential release official. In the past, we’ve seen superstars like Neville aka PAC spend a long period of time running out their contract before being granted a release, while others come to terms with WWE and are released almost instantly.

WWE Releases Tye Dillinger

Tye Dillinger announced his decision to request his release from WWE three days ago via Twitter. In the post, shown below, he chooses to get ahead of the potential rumors while also thanking those he’s worked with throughout his career. WWE confirmed the release via Twitter and with an article on WWE.com.

Of the three release announced today, the one with the most tenure in WWE is definitely Tye Dillinger. While Itami and TJP have only been with the company for a few years, Dillinger first signed in 2006. After some time in developmental promotions Ohio Valley Wrestling and Florida Championship Wrestling, Dillinger debuted on WWE’s ECW brand in 2008 as Gavin Spears. The new venture didn’t last long, as Dillinger was ultimately released in January of 2009.

After four years on the independent scene, he re-signed with the company in 2013 as a part of NXT. In the over five years since returning, Dillinger has gone from a relative unknown to the beloved superstar who refers to himself as the “Perfect 10.” Dillinger’s nickname led to crowds in NXT chanting “TEN” at every possible moment, and even helped get Dillinger an appearance in the 2017 Royal Rumble.

Tye Dillinger moved to SmackDown Live on July of 2017, but failed to ever become a staple of the brand over the past two years. His appearances became increasingly scarce, and left few surprised when Dillinger announced his impending departure on Twitter. Fans have expressed excitement about the possibility of seeing Dillinger in AEW or other locations outside of WWE, but his exact landing place isn’t clear yet.

WWE Releases Hideo Itami

As for Hideo Itami, his release comes three weeks after news first began to circulate he would be departing the company. Fightful reported that Itami requested his release back on January 29, and WWE confirmed his release today also via Twitter and WWE.com.

Hideo Itami signed with NXT back in 2014, leaving Japan as a legend of the Pro Wrestling NOAH promotion. His signing was announced first by Tokyo Sports, and later confirmed with his first NXT appearance in September of 2014.

Upon arrival, Hideo Itami was seen as one of NXT’s biggest signings at the time. He first took on The Ascension, later receiving backup in the form of the debuting Finn Balor, another NXT star coming off an extensive career in Japan. Hideo Itami continued to rise in the NXT ranks, even defeating Adrian Neville and Finn Balor in a WrestleMania Axxess tournament to earn a spot in the second Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

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It was a big moment for Itami, but unfortunately things started to hit significant roadblocks moving forward. He was scheduled to compete for a shot at the NXT championship in May of 2015, but went out with a shoulder injury and wasn’t able to compete. He was due back in six months, but the recovery took significantly longer than expected. Itami finally returned in June of 2016, but his momentum stalled again due to a neck injury in October of 2016.

After returning to NXT in April of 2017, Hideo Itami’s struggling momentum continued to hinder things. His hopes of an NXT Championship run seemed to get lost as other stars rose through the ranks, and Itami did little of note before going to 205 Live in November of 2017. As a part of that brand, Hideo Itami was a mainstay for the show but never captured the Cruiserweight Championship.

Whether it was untimely injuries or simply not being perfect for their system, Hideo Itami struggled to ever find his perfect place in WWE. His release is unsurprising, but hopefully can lead to a less strenuous schedule as he returns to familiar pastures, possibly even back in Japan with Pro Wrestling NOAH.

WWE Releases TJP

The third confirmed release so far was TJP, formerly known as TJ Perkins. Of the three moves announced so far, TJP’s release is the only one that didn’t follow reports of his own desire to exit the company. On the contrary, a tweet recently by TJP seemed to indicate the opposite. After a fan asked him about joining All Elite Wrestling, TJP had this to say.

It’s not clear if TJP had any inkling of his impending departure, but his “if it were up to me” opening seems to have been almost clairvoyant. Like the others, his release was confirmed via Twitter and WWE.com.

It’s been an up and down three years with the company for TJP, who initially came in via the company’s Cruiserweight Classic. He defeated Fred Yehi at Evolve 61 to qualify for the tournament, and was far from the favorite to win it all. Despite that, the man then known as TJ Perkins racked up a string of solid victories against Da Mack, Johnny Gargano, Rich Swann, and Kota Ibushi en route to the finals.

TJP last defeated Gran Metalik to win the Cruiserweight Classic and capture the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. He became one of the founding members of the 205 Live brand, but really struggled to stand out in the division after losing the title Brian Kendrick.

TJP continued to be a staple of 205 Live, but now exits after just under three years with the company. A move to AEW wouldn’t be surprising, but TJP’s experience on the independent scene leaves his options wide open moving forward.