10 Shocking (But Believable) Theories About WWE In 2017

10. Hideo Itami Leaves WWE For New Japan

When Hideo Itami was first signed to WWE over the summer of 2014, it was believed that he would be a major player for the company. He quickly debuted in NXT and was given a superstar's welcome, but very shortly after that, Finn Balor arrived. The two became a team, but Balor was clearly the favorite of management and Itami was overlooked.

Itami won a tournament to get a slot in the WrestleMania 31 battle royal, but he was eliminated unceremoniously. Soon afterwards, he suffered a shoulder injury, and it turned out to be worse than expected. He missed more than a year of action before returning this past summer, but a neck injury suffered a couple months later put him back on the shelf.

If Itami was signed to a standard three-year deal, his contract will be up in six months. Needless to say, things haven't gone the way he or WWE would have liked. He could jump to New Japan and immediately become a major player - he might even be able to participate in next year's G1 Climax tournament. That seems like a smart choice at this point.