WWE confirms release of Hideo Itami
WWE made Hideo Itami’s release official this afternoon and confirmed that he’s no longer with the company.
After announcing that Tye Dillinger had been granted his release, WWE posted a similar statement on Itami: “WWE has come to terms on the release of Kenta Kobayashi (Hideo Itami).”
It was reported on January 29 that Itami had requested his release and it would be granted. Itami lost to Akira Tozawa on 205 Live that night and was laid out by Ariya Daivari in a post-match angle. Itami tweeted after his last appearance for WWE: “THANK YOU.”
Itami signed with WWE and joined NXT in 2014, before being added to the cruiserweight division in December 2017. Itami dealt with multiple injuries during his time in WWE.
Last September, Itami returned to Pro Wrestling NOAH for one night. He lost to Naomichi Marufuji on Marufuji’s 20th anniversary show.
Itami’s last week in WWE was chronicled on an episode of #205Life:
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.