Kenta Now Known as Hideo Itami

[Roadster]

Kenta will now be known as Hideo Itami as he announced on NXT Takeover 2.

 

[Rogue]

He was named after his hero, Hideo Kojima.

 

[Muuuftah]

I've seen people moaning about the name change on Twitter and stuff and to be honest I don't know why they're bitching. I personally like the name, I think it suits him very well. The WWE did a great job in promoting it and putting it over as "It's not about the past, it's about the future". I'm excited to see what he can do in NXT and the WWE.

 

[Butters!]

The name change will confuse alot of fans, i personally like the new name.

 

[Pop Tatari]

At least he is not called "yo Sushi" Name change was expected as this is the wwf. Also his previous name was in caps newbie.

 

[RedDwarfTechy]

Hideo Kojima ftw

 

[Prince Bálor]

Meh, not really fond of his new name. I prefer the name Kenta over Hideo Itami.

 

[WarMachine1]

Why the hell did they change his name? Like seriously.

 

[Lodger]

I DISLIKE THIS NAME

 

[CFCrusader]

Good News: Hideo Itami isn't as bad as JIMMY WANG YANG (even though that is pretty cool).

But I'm afraid I've got some BAD NEWS: WWE's greed means we can't chant "KEN-TA! KEN-TA!" now it's "Hi... deo? fuck this shit"

 

[ShaRpY HaRdY]

Personally I like KENTA better than Hideo Itami, but I don't suppose it's that big of a deal..
any specific reasoning on why they're not going with Kenta? Will Devitt and Steen go through the same thing?

 

[CFCrusader]

"Prince Devitt" sounds badass, don't really know about "Kevin Steen".

Any chance they U-turn so he becomes KENTA again?

 

[Stopspot]

Personally I like KENTA better than Hideo Itami, but I don't suppose it's that big of a deal..
any specific reasoning on why they're not going with Kenta? Will Devitt and Steen go through the same thing?

WWE wants to own the rights to their talents ring names, merchandising rights

 

[ShaRpY HaRdY]

WWE wants to own the rights to their talents ring names, merchandising rights

That's the only thing I could really think of, so now that you say it, it seems like that's the only reason.

Wrestling fans should know who Kenta is so I can't imagine the name change will be too confusing.

 

[Stopspot]

That's the only thing I could really think of, so now that you say it, it seems like that's the only reason.

Wrestling fans should know who Kenta is so I can't imagine the name change will be too confusing.

HARDCORE wrestling fans.

They have built KENTA up as being one of the biggest names in Japanese wrestling. But he's never worked in the big leagues over there. He's been a main stay of Pro Wrestling NOAH and was a solid part of their midcard when they were considered number 2 in Japan. But his main event run came after their downfall.

He's a good worker and can be a great addition to WWE, but he's not the icon he's made up to be.