Tag: Hideo Itami

Backstage News On What Led To Recent Releases In WWE

As reported earlier this week, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson, former WWE Cruiserweight Champion TJP, Tye Dillinger, and Hideo Itami were all released from WWE.

On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer went into detail about what has transpired backstage over the past couple of weeks as these releases have been taking place.

In the case of Anderson, he was reportedly fired from the company after continued conflicts with Vince McMahon. Details are scarce but something transpired at a WWE house show that evidently wasn’t handled to Vince’s liking. Anderson took full blame for the incident and was ultimately terminated from his role as a backstage producer.

Arn and Vince were said to not be on the best of terms prior to Anderson’s release. There were numerous situations over recent years where the two apparently weren’t seeing eye to eye on the different happenings within the company. Nevertheless, Arn is liked by key individuals backstage, including Triple H and John Cena. Some believe had Cena been around in a more prominent WWE role like before, perhaps it wouldn’t have escalated to the point where Anderson was released. Cena’s fondness for Anderson is shared with many other superstars that have competed in WWE over the years.

Meltzer added that he sometimes caught wind of performers speaking out about what they believed was a poorly made creative decision, and Anderson would actually support the talent’s objection, possibly causing conflict.

He also mentioned that some people feel like Anderson may flourish as a producer over in AEW. From the side of AEW, there have only been positive things said about Anderson’s work, and Arn is reportedly not too broken up about being let go from WWE.

Overall, WWE is making it a point not to fire anyone, so it apparently surprised a lot of people backstage when Anderson and TJP were let go from the company. TJP’s release in particular is said to be for disciplinary reasons, and WWE felt like parting ways with TJP is something that was needed to be done. A lack of creative ideas for TJP wasn’t a deciding factor in his departure because even the WWE superstars that haven’t been given much creative material as of late are being held to their contractual obligations.

The obvious exceptions come in the form of Tye Dillinger and Hideo Itami, who were also confirmed as being released from WWE earlier this week. We noted back in late January that Itami had asked for his release from WWE as a result of his frustration with how he was being used in the company.

Along with the releases, Bruce Prichard, Steve Corino, “Hurricane” Shane Helms, Sonjay Dutt, Shawn Daivari, Impact Wrestling Hall of Famer “Abyss” Chris Parks and WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett have all started as backstage producers for the company.

Source: Wrestling Inc

WWE Announces Release Of Hideo Itami

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WWE has announced that 205 Live Superstar Hideo Itami is no longer with the company.

Below is the full announcement issued this afternoon:

Hideo Itami releasedWWE has come to terms on the release of Kenta Kobayashi (Hideo Itami).

WWE did not wish Itami the best in his future endeavors. As noted, WWE announced the release of Tye Dillinger today and he was not wished the best either.

We noted back in late January that Itami had requested his release following the loss to Akira Tozawa on the January 29 edition of 205 Live. It was reported then that Itami was not happy with how he was being used in WWE.

Source: Wrestling Inc

Hideo Itami Hugs Shinsuke Nakamura And Asuka After Last WWE Match (Video)

hideo itami wwe release final match hug footage video shinsuke nakamura asuka

A new episode of #205 Life has been released and it focuses on WWE’s Hideo Itami. As noted last week, Itami had reportedly asked for his release from the WWE. The final scene in the video features Itami saying goodbye to the WWE locker room and hugging Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka. You can watch the episode below:

Report: Hideo Itami To Be Released By WWE

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According to a report from Fightful, Hideo Itami is the latest wrestler within WWE to ask for his release from the company. Unlike others who reportedly did the same, however, they are also reporting it’s likely he will be granted his wish.

Not long after the aforementioned report was published, Itami changed his name on Twitter back to Kenta and tweeted this:

https://twitter.com/HideoItami/status/1090473371924492289

His issues, unsurprisingly, apparently have to do with being dissatisfied with his creative direction. He felt like a truly hot commodity when he originally debuted in NXT but never seemed to get off the ground, with various injury issues partly to blame. When he was put on 205 Live, there was some hope but the cruiserweight division hasn’t done much for many and Itami is likely much better off heading back to Japan.

Hideo Itami has not yet received his WWE release, according to PWInsider. He will be receiving it, and when he does, he will be subject to the 90-day non-compete clause. Itami is expected to return home to Japan.

Sources: CageSideSeats, PWInsider, Fightful and WrestlingINC

WWE Confirms Hideo Itami Coming To 205Live

Image result for Hideo Itami coming to 205 live

It was confirmed on last night’s WWE 205 Live episode that the next call-up from WWE NXT will see Hideo Itami join the cruiserweight division.

Itami’s NXT run has been plagued by injuries. He’s lost a handful of singles matches since returning to the ring back in March of this year. His last big match came at NXT “Takeover: Brooklyn III” in August, a loss to Aleister Black.

Below is the graphic teasing his upcoming arrival and Twitter comments from Itami:

Source: WrestlingINC

Former Impact Wrestling X-Division Champ Rockstar Spud & NXT Star Hideo Itami Reportedly Joining WWE Cruiserweight Division

As noted, former TNA X Division Champion Rockstar Spud is no longer with Impact Wrestling. PWInsider is reporting that WWE is looking to sign Spud and add him to the Cruiserweight division. Spud joined the TNA roster after winning the first TNA British Boot Camp in 2013. He had most recently been feuding with Swoggle, f.k.a. Hornswoggle in WWE, losing their blowoff match on the June 29th episode of Impact Wrestling taped in India.

PWInsider is also reporting that WWE is looking to finally call Hideo Itami up from NXT and join the Cruiserweight division. It was noted that while there is no date set for his debut, WWE intends to move him to 205 Live when they have creative plans for him. Itami signed with WWE in 2014, however had been plagued with injuries. He made one appearance on the main roster, competing in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, where he was eliminated by The Big Show, who went on to win the match. Itami recently was defeated by Aleister Black at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III on August 19th in Brooklyn, NY.

You can read the full report at PWInsider by clicking here.

Source: WrestlingINC

Hideo Itami Injury Update

As noted, Hideo Itami was pulled from the WWE NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic due to a neck injury he suffered a few weeks back. Word is that Itami will be out of action for just two months, indicating he does not need surgery. He could have been out of action for more than 6 months with surgery.

Source: WrestlingINC

Hideo Itami Injured At NXT Live Event – Could Be Out Of Action For Months (VIDEO)

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Pro Wrestling Sheet has learned Hideo Itami hurt his neck at a recent NXT live event and we’re told the injury will keep him from wrestling for months.

The injury occurred while taking a powerslam gone wrong during a tag match on October 1st where he teamed with Shinsuke Nakamura to take on Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli.

No word on his exact injury, but we’re told it’s related to his neck.

Itami recently returned from a shoulder injury that kept him out of action for over a year. He andKota Ibushi were also just announced as a team in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic — which he more than likely won’t be able to participate in now.

The video of the accident can be seen below. Warning: it’s painful to watch:

Dave Meltzer noted at F4WOnline.com that it was a “significant neck injury.”

UPDATE: Hideo Itami Confirms Injury:

Hideo Itami Returns From Injury At NXT House Show

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Hideo Itami made his NXT return tonight … and it sounds like he unleashed a years worth of pent-up aggression in a 6-man tag match with TM-61.

According to reports, Hideo got a big-time ovation from the crowd as he walked to the ring to wrestle Tino Sabbatelli, Wesley Blake, and Samoa Joe — and ran wild with kicks before hitting the Busaiku Knee Kick to win the match for his team.

Itami has been out of action since May 2015 due to a shoulder injury. He underwent surgery and was originally expected to return in 6-8 months but suffered complications. His only WWE appearance since has been as a masked henchman in Triple H’s WrestleMania 32 entrance.

Having debuted in September 2014, Itami has had more time on the sidelines than he has inside the NXT ring. It will be interesting to see how he progresses now that he’s returned.

Welcome back Hideo!

Hideo Itami WWE NXT Return Update

Source: WrestlingINC

It looks like Hideo Itami is finally ready to return to NXT action after being out since May 2015. Itami wrote “see you soon” back in late May and tweeted the following this week, indicating a return at this weekend’s Winter Haven live event. Shinsuke Nakamura also tweeted a now-deleted photo with Itami this past week, saying he’s ready to return.