One question that has been asked by NXT fans for months has been, when will Hideo Itami return? The Japanese superstar suffered a shoulder injury last year, just as he was rumoured to begin a run at the NXT World Championship.
Itami was written off NXT television and underwent surgery. He was scheduled to return in six months, it’s been longer and fans have clamoured for his return.
Since debuting, it’s been obvious to fans that the WWE and NXT have something special in Itami. His English isn’t bad, he can cut a promo well enough and has a legitimate fighter aura about him. He is special and must-see when he’s in the ring
Now, WWE fans have got their wish, Itami has finally returned to in-ring action. No, it wasn’t at an NXT taping or during the WWE main roster’s tour of Japan, it happened during an NXT live event in Winter Haven, Florida.
Itami teamed with the tag team TM-61, Nick Miller and Shane Thorne to take on Wesley Blake, Samoa Joe and Tino Sabatelli.
Potential plans for Itami?
With a number of NXT stars looking like making the jump to the WWE main roster, the return of Hideo Itami to NXT TV cannot be far away. If he’s competing at house shows, it’s likely he’s been given clearance by WWE medical staff to return.
Itami may move back into the title picture. While that may be an easy link because he took on the current champion, Samoa Joe during a tag team match, it makes sense for Itami to get back onto the path he was on before his injury.
NXT live events throw up surprises
Since launching the WWE Network, fans have questioned whether or not the WWE and NXT should their live events. Not many surprises happen during main roster shows, you may get the occasional return but it’s very rare.
The most notable moments in recent years at main rosters shows were the return of The Undertaker prior to WrestleMania and Batista wrestling after he appeared to have left Monday Night Raw.
NXT Live events are much different.
Just this year, Samoa Joe defeated Finn Balor for the NXT World Championship at a live event and Bobby Roode made his NXT in-ring debut. These sort of things don't happen at live events, they’re usually kept for TV tapings or NXT Takeover events.