'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer has reported that Hideo Itami may want to return to Japan after his WWE contract expires.
In case you didn't know...
Before coming to the WWE, Hideo Itami was very successful in Japan under the name KENTA. He won several titles for Pro Wrestling Noah, including their GHC Heavyweight Championship once and their GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship three times.
The heart of the matter
It was just a couple of days ago that Meltzer reported that plans were for the WWE to call Itami up to the main roster and join the Cruiserweight Division on Monday Night Raw and 205 Live sometime after Survivor Series. Those plans may still be true, but it could be a short run for Itami in that division.
Just in the past few months, the Cruiserweight Division saw two of its marquee stars leave the company in Austin Aries and Neville. Though the division steadily gets better and has more prominent spots on recent pay-per-view cards.
NXT took some time to get its footing and many see it as the best brand in pro wrestling. It takes time, but some on the roster may not want to participate while the division experiences growing pains.
What's next?
Stay tuned to Sportskeeda for further updates regarding the Hideo Itami situation.
Considering that the news has changed rapidly over the past couple of days, there is the potential of more developments on this story very soon.
Author's take
It'll be disappointing as a fan if the rumours about Itami are true. Ever since he returned from injury, I thought he looked amazing. His energy and demeanour in the ring made him stand out, but I don't think turning him heel did him any favours.
He was out a long time from injury though, so it does take some time re-establishing yourself to prove you can go a long stretch without getting injured before being pushed up the card. Hopefully, he sticks it out because he has something special, but at the end of the day, if you're not happy, you should go where you would be happy.
