10 WWE Superstars Who Were Doomed From The Start

9. Hideo Itami

Finn Balor And Hideo Itami
WWE

Kudos to whomever captured the image above - it goes some way to expressing the instant disinterest in Hideo Itami the second his fellow newcomer Finn Balor donned the Demon visage in NXT.

Trumpeted as a major score for NXT when he signed, the rapidly renamed KENTA came armed with a famous finisher and well-regarded reputation. It should have been enough - it certainly is now - but WWE were still tinkering with how such deals came to pass, and by the time he was just about able to get over on his own terms, he was made to stand next to one of the most exciting characters the company’s brave new brand had ever seen.

Before he could really fight to earn the love back (or indeed, embrace the hate), Itami suffered an injury that knackered perceptions of him for good.

NXT was becoming the hottest product in the world when he got crocked, and had completed its transition by the time he returned. He didn’t fit there, and - though still talent and occasionally exceptionnal - barely does on 205 Live in 2018.

 
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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 30 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz", Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 50,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett