{"id":5333,"date":"2017-06-07T20:37:06","date_gmt":"2017-06-08T00:37:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=5333"},"modified":"2017-06-07T20:37:06","modified_gmt":"2017-06-08T00:37:06","slug":"hideo-itami-will-he-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2017\/06\/07\/hideo-itami-will-he-go\/","title":{"rendered":"Hideo Itami: Will He Go?"},"content":{"rendered":"

With rumors circulating that Hideo Itami<\/strong>‘s WWE<\/strong> contract is nearing its end and that he is (allegedly)\u00a0considering leaving, here’s a look at where he could go after WWE, why he might choose to go there, and what the company could use him for.<\/p>\n

Return to NOAH<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Photo: NOAH<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A return of the prodigal son (as KENTA<\/strong>, he was one of NOAH’s biggest stars) would undoubtedly do big business for the struggling NOAH who have been good to great for the last year but are failing to gain any major buzz. \u00a0A return of his amazing tag team with Naomichi Marufuji<\/strong> would certainly be worth watching as well as a whole heap of potentially great matches with Marufuji, Go Shiozaki<\/strong>, Takeshi\u00a0<\/strong>Sugiura<\/b>\u00a0and many more of the NOAH talents.<\/p>\n

Imp<\/strong>act Wrestling<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The working agreement between NOAH and Impact would see Impact\u00a0try to use Itami as much as possible – or they could even try to sign him up exclusively. \u00a0As we all know the former TNA<\/strong>,\u00a0and Jeff Jarrett<\/strong> in particular, LOVE ex-WWE guys and Itami would be a major coup in a similar vein to capturing Drew Galloway<\/strong> and Alberto El Patron<\/strong>. \u00a0Itami would receive a major push and would really help inject excitement into the average weekly TV that Impact produces, the fact that they could offer decent money and a part time schedule would surely sweeten the deal.<\/p>\n

Ring Of Honor<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Photo: ROH<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How poetic would it be for Itami to return to the company that helped make him a star in America where he had a great run from 2006-2009, always putting on one of the best matches of any card he was on. \u00a0ROH could use a wrestler like him to continue the growth they have seen in business recently and maybe even establish themselves as the clear number two behind the WWE<\/p>\n

Freelance<\/strong><\/h5>\n

There is the option of becoming a freelance worker and touring the indies in both America and Japan where Itami would surely prove to be a big draw. Itami could easily split his time between Japan and America, as he would surely be in demand everywhere. \u00a0Itami is at the point though where stability is what he wants and life on the indies is anything but.<\/p>\n

New Japan Pro Wrestling<\/strong><\/h5>\n

This is the option that has every hardcore fan salivating with the opportunity to see some 5-star classics between Itami and New Japan’s extremely talented roster (COUGH<\/em>\u00a0Takahashi COUGH).<\/em>\u00a0 Itami would be happy to sign for the biggest company in Japan and compete on the big stage in his home country and NJPW could use him for their American expansion as fans would be more familiar with him than most Japanese talents.\u00a0If used right he could also easily elevate the OPENWEIGHT or Junior Heavyweight titles to the next level, giving NJPW another title that can draw like their IC title.<\/p>\n

WWE (NXT)<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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EXCLUSIVE: Will @HideoItami<\/a> return home to Japan? He puts the rumors to rest once and for all before @WWENXT<\/a>. #WWENXT<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LaIipsywrP<\/a><\/p>\n

— WWE (@WWE) June 7, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n