Before he joined NXT as Hideo Itami, former Global Honored Crown Heavyweight Champion KENTA was one of the biggest stars in Japan not working for New Japan. After debuting with All Japan Pro Wrestling in 2000, Itami was one of many wrestlers who jumped ship to form the NOAH promotion, which soon became the second-largest in Nippon. Working with legends like Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi, it wasn't long before Itami became known as one of the hottest young talents in the entire country. He soon gained a stateside following with matches in Ring of Honor against the likes of Bryan Danielson and Samoa Joe. Itami was always a NOAH loyalist, but in Japan, promotions tend to work with one another more than they do in the U.S. To that end, Itami has a single match in New Japan under his belt - at 2002's Cross Road event, the future star came up on the losing end of a battle with NJPW junior heavyweight Wataru Inoue. It may not be the most auspicious of appearances, but it's a little-known fact about Itami's career.