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What's the story?
205 Live Superstar Hideo Itami may be leaving the WWE within the next few months after requesting his release from the company, according to a report from Fightful.
Itami's desire to leave the company marks the sixth WWE superstar that has reportedly asked to leave since the new promotion, All Elite Wrestling was announced on New Years Day.
In case you didn't know...
Itami built his name wrestling in various Japanese promotions before signing with WWE in June 2014.
His time with the company has been filled with injuries that have cut off his momentum at key points during his run with the promotion, including winning the NXT Championship at the Beast in the East special.
The heart of the matter
Itami asked for his WWE release this week and was reported to have finished up with this week's recording of 205 Live. There was also talk backstage that Itami will actually be getting his release from the company, unlike other superstars who have requested to leave.
The former NXT wrestler also sent a cryptic tweet following the news of his release with the words "Thank You."
Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson of The Revival were the first wrestlers reported to have requested their release, but WWE did not want to let them go.
Mike and Maria Kanellis were the next WWE superstars reported to want to leave WWE, but Maria denied the reports in a statement on Twitter.
Dean Ambrose was the most recent superstar that wanted to leave the company and WWE confirmed these rumors in an official statement Tuesday afternoon.
What's next?
Many WWE superstars who are granted a release from the company have a 90-day non compete clause that bars them from appearing on other wrestling shows. If his request is granted in February, then the earliest he could wrestle would be some time in April or May.
Itami built his career wrestling in All Japan Pro Wrestling, ROH and Pro Wrestling Noah before signing with WWE, so those are companies he could return when his no-compete clause ends.
AEW is another company that fans will be expecting Itami to appear in, but there has been no report regarding where he wants to wrestle next.
