10 Crucial Booking Steps Needed To Save Hideo Itami’s WWE NXT Career

5. Book Him In An Extended Feud With Finn Balor

A long-term feud between Hideo Itami and Finn Balor would lead to outstanding wrestling programming on NXT. Not only do these two phenomenal wrestlers have history in NXT together as both partners and opponents, but both of them have trained in Japan and understand the strong style the orient favours better than just about anyone. They have already shown incredible chemistry as teammates and as opponents, so extending that rivalry would certainly be best for business. It would be very easy for WWE to craft a storyline centered on Itami being jealous of Balor€™s success, especially considering that Itami was in NXT first and was getting all the hype and attention until Balor came along and took it. This kind of feud can lead to many different outcomes. Itami could challenge for the NXT Championship, lose, and attack his former friend. He could challenge for it, win, and rub it in Balor€™s face. He could interfere in Balor€™s next title defense and cost him the title, making the rivalry extra personal. Whatever the impetus behind the feud, this is one that would benefit both Balor and Itami. Balor would get an opportunity to showcase the kind of hard-hitting style that made him a wildly popular €˜gaijin€™ in Japan, while Itami would have a marquee match against the top star in NXT. It's a chance to establish both guys.