He's coming back

[Roadster]

I can only hope for a Hideo Itami vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. Hideo will more than likely be eclipsed by Nakamura unless Hideo does something different. I'd like to see a dark, heel Itami that hates people who go against tradition, and singles out Shinsuke for making a mockery of Japanese wrestling.

 

[Jacob Fox]

I can only hope for a Hideo Itami vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. Hideo will more than likely be eclipsed by Nakamura unless Hideo does something different. I'd like to see a dark, heel Itami that hates people who go against tradition, and singles out Shinsuke for making a mockery of Japanese wrestling.

Hideo told me he is afraid to turn heel because you might kick him from the room.

 

[Wacokid27]

All smartassery aside (which is difficult for me), I'm glad to see Hideo coming back and look forward to seeing what he can do.

And, pardon me for going against the room, but I'd like to give the guy a chance considering how much momentum he was building pre-injury on the NXT roster before we return him to Japan.

I've got to think that there's some involvement with KO, considering KO's "involvement" with his injury angle.

wk

 

[Prince Bálor]

All smartassery aside (which is difficult for me), I'm glad to see Hideo coming back and look forward to seeing what he can do.

And, pardon me for going against the room, but I'd like to give the guy a chance considering how much momentum he was building pre-injury on the NXT roster before we return him to Japan.

I've got to think that there's some involvement with KO, considering KO's "involvement" with his injury angle.

wk

I'm in the same boat. I look forward to seeing what's he going to do when he returns.

There was also a speculation around TakeOver: Respect that Bálor was actually involved in the parking lot assault, 'cause he was heeling it up at the time and seemed to be pre-emptively dropping the babyface mask. However, that did not turn out to be the case.

I'm not quite sure if Bálor will be leaving NXT after TakeOver: The End, but if they do end up doing the Itami/heel Bálor feud, then I'm all for it.

 

[Wacokid27]

I'm in the same boat. I look forward to seeing what's he going to do when he returns.

There was also a speculation around TakeOver: Respect that Bálor was actually involved in the parking lot assault, 'cause he was heeling it up at the time and seemed to be pre-emptively dropping the babyface mask. However, that did not turn out to be the case.

I'm not quite sure if Bálor will be leaving NXT after TakeOver: The End, but if they do end up doing the Itami/heel Bálor feud, then I'm all for it.

I would even think that's a main roster (Smackdown brand, perhaps?) feud. It's not like WWE couldn't put together video/interview packages that couldn't sell some tension between Balor and Itami pre-injury.

wk

 

[Prince Bálor]

I would even think that's a main roster (Smackdown brand, perhaps?) feud. It's not like WWE couldn't put together video/interview packages that couldn't sell some tension between Balor and Itami pre-injury.

wk

I totally agree, bro.

Whether it happens on the main roster or in NXT, it'll be fine by me.

 

[Prince Bálor]

 

[Prince Bálor]

Welcome back, Hideo!

He is back. Finally. Itami made his return at a NXT live event in Winter Haven, FL, teaming with TM-61 to face Joe, Blake and Sabbatelli.

Here are some photos:

 

[Roadster]

Glad he's back. Good that he's healthy again too

 

[SWAGSUKE]

I can only hope for a Hideo Itami vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. Hideo will more than likely be eclipsed by Nakamura unless Hideo does something different. I'd like to see a dark, heel Itami that hates people who go against tradition, and singles out Shinsuke for making a mockery of Japanese wrestling.

We'll have to see if Itami has any charisma before that. I'm a huge fan of his KENTA stuff, and he had some good matches in NXT prior to injury. Can he pull off a character? Does he have a character? These are unanswered questions for me.


It's clear that Nakamura will eclipse him and leave him in the dust. Nakamura is in a lifetime talent, and Hideo is very solid but not quite that.