10 Best Male Japanese Imports In WWE History
7. Hideo Itami
When Hideo Itami - then known as Kenta - signed with WWE in 2014, it made headlines across the globe. A megastar in Pro Wrestling Noah, the signing was a huge coup for WWE.
Itami was an instant hit with the NXT faithful and seemingly on the fast track to superstardom in WWE. His momentum as a top babyface on NXT was sky high going into 2015, even leading him to the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31, defeating both Neville and Finn Bálor for the right to do so.
Sadly, Itami would suffer a serious shoulder injury two months later that would completely derail his ascent to the top of NXT. The consequential surgery would result in complications and Itami wouldn’t return to TV until August 2016 after a year on the sidelines. Itami suffered further injury just two months later, once again putting him out of action.
The resilient star would return once more in April 2017, resulting in a headline match for the NXT Title at NXT TakeOver: Chicago. Despite being unsuccessful, Itami has since embraced the frustration of his setbacks by turning heel. If he can remain injury free, a big year lies ahead for the former GHC Heavyweight Champion.