10 WWE Superstars In Dire Need Of New Finishers
2. Hideo Itami
Current Finisher: Shotgun Dropkick
There are few wrestlers in NXT with worse luck than Itami. Even though his debut was made into a huge deal, WWE cut his legs off from underneath him when they prevented him from using all of his signature moves for one reason or another.
The Kimura Lock, Crossface, Tiger Suplex, Busaiku Knee Kick, and most importantly, his GTS, have all been adopted by other WWE Superstars, leaving him with very few options.
Suggested New (Old) Finisher: Go 2 Sleep
There’s no other way to salvage Itami’s career at this point. He has hit too many roadblocks vis-à-vis injuries, booking, and presentation, even on an indy-style show like NXT. If WWE wants to make Itami the kind of attraction he was in NOAH and on the independent circuit, he’s going to have to use the GTS as his finisher.
Naturally, this runs the risk of jaded fans bringing out the dreaded ‘CM Punk’ chants (because some people simply won’t let the whole thing just die). However, if recent NXT shows were any indication, those fears might be put to rest. The last time Itami actually hit the move successfully, the audience roared in approval and chanted his name, aware that he was the one who created the move in the first place. `
Of course, if WWE’s still concerned about that problem, they could always let Itami use the inverted version of the GTS he created, where he does the same move, except from a back-breaker rack instead of a fireman’s carry.
Same result though: knees driven into skulls.