10 WWE Superstars Who Were Doomed From The Start
9. Hideo Itami
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.