10 WWE NXT Main Roster Call Ups That Must Happen In 2017
8. Hideo Itami
It’s been a rough couple of years for Hideo Itami. He visibly struggled to adapt to WWE’s style throughout his first few months in NXT, and just as things were starting to click, Itami was struck down by injury. He headed straight for a hot feud with Austin Aries after returning, but the injury bug struck again, and it’ll likely be awhile before we see him back in the ring.
It’d be foolish to keep Itami lodged in NXT much longer, however. His run hasn’t panned-out how he liked, but he has looked great in his past few appearances, and finally seems to have a firm grasp of WWE’s preferred ring style. Anyone who has seen his work in Japan and Ring Of Honor knows Itami is one of the best junior heavyweights in the world on his day, and at 35 years old, it’s time to put him in a bigger spotlight.
Let him return to NXT for a Sami Zayn-esque post-injury farewell tour, then take 205 Live by storm. Itami has been immensely popular in NXT despite his lack of English, and 205 is crying out for major stars with differing wrestling styles. Itami would be an immediate highlight on Tuesday nights, and a plethora of potentially mouthwatering matches with guys like Akira Tozawa, Gren Metalik, and Rich Swann awaits.