7 Ups And 3 Downs From NXT TakeOver Brooklyn III
2. What Does Itami Do Now?
Since returning to action after WrestleMania, Hideo Itami has undergone a transformation from a no-nonsense babyface to a sulking heel who demands that fans show him respect.
And while this change is definitely an improvement in character – in that he now has one – Itami’s record has been checkered at best and disappointing at worst. Itami lost his NXT Championship match against Bobby Roode at TakeOver Chicago and has spent most of the summer battling Oney Lorcan and Kassius Ohno, losing matches to both.
On Saturday, Hideo lost to the undefeated Aleister Black after a really good, hard-hitting, bloody match. While Itami lost to a surprise Black Mass kick, it still was another loss in a big match for the Japanese superstar, leaving him without any big wins since returning.
We’re not witnessing a full-on losing streak (which WWE typically loves), but they’ve got a potentially great top heel in an angry, remorseless Itami. Will they pay it off? Until we get some indications that they will, this gets a cautious “down.”