NXT: 10 Worst Creative Decisions Of The Full Sail Era
2. Feeding Hideo Itami To The Ascension
Hideo Itami, formerly known as KENTA is one of the very finest wrestlers in the world. He is also small, skinny, speaks limited English and made his name in another promotion. We all should have known WWE would screw this up.
For the first two months of Itamis career he was targeted by the hulking Ascension, Konnor and Victor. The two juggernauts attacked and dominated the Japanese star week after week. Itami was permitted to fight back and get a few shots in, but the two men would always overpower him.
His continuous efforts to fight back should have been heralded as brave and resilient. But instead he was blasted on commentary by Alex Riley (renewing his membership in Vince McMahon's Kiss My A** Club) who claimed Itami didn't belong in the big leagues.
Way to endorse a new star, A-Ry!
Itami would even the score by bringing in the debuting Finn Balor as his tag team partner, but unfortunately Balor stole all of his thunder. This wasn't just because of his incredible demon entrance or his Bullet Club popularity, but because he could speak English and fans just subconsciously related to him more. Plus Balor defeated the Ascension after one match. Hideo got beat up continuously for two months!
Getting injured earlier this year may have been a blessing in disguise. It's been long enough now that Itami can return fresh and rejuvenated, without having to share the spotlight with any other debuting stars. Let's hope they get it right this time.