10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (June 21)

7. KENTA Has "No Good Memories" Of 205 Live

Hideo Itami Ariya Daivari
WWE.com

Before signing for WWE in 2014, KENTA was a sensation in his native Japan. Known for hard-hitting, epic matches in Pro Wrestling Noah, the sturdy striker also made a name for himself in the States when working for ROH. Pre-WWE, he was a hot topic for fans who valued work rate over pyro and promos.

People were excited when KENTA agreed to a WWE deal and joined the NXT roster however. It was hoped that he wouldn't be held back by his new Hideo Itami name either; surely, hardcore fans reasoned, his work would shine through. It sort of did, but only in fits and starts. KENTA never really got going in the company.

This week, in an interview with Post Wrestling, he admitted he has "no good memories" of WWE life. Specifically, he hated working on 205 Live.

Itami spent just over a year on the Cruiserweight brand, and it was miserable for him. He never looked happy, and his longtime fans didn't get to see the KENTA of old they had hoped for on a bigger stage. He said during the interview that a lack of match time led to dwindling interest, causing his match quality to suffer.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.