Aleister Black: Top 10 NXT Moments 

# 8 A Serious Problem

Black & Itami face off

In mid 2017, Japanese Superstar Hideo Itami, who suffered back to back sidelining injuries during NXT's rise from small developmental league to the "hottest brand in sports entertainment," felt left in the dust. Having lost clean to champion Bobby Roode upon his return to the ring at Takeover: Chicago, Itami quickly shifted from babyface to bitter heel. Itami was determined to make everyone acknowledge and respect him.

Unfortunately, Itami made this declaration during an Aleister Black match entrance. When Itami gestured that he was leaving the ring, Black turned his back, allowing Itami to think it was the perfect moment for an assault from behind, only for Black to make him Fade To Black with a Black Mass as soon Itami attempted an attack.

When Black later surfaced in a backstage segment outside Full Sail's television studio, Itami returned the favor by lunging at Black out of nowhere, only for Black to dodge and kick Itami into into a steel roll-up gate. Although NXT officials subsequently separated the two trained kickboxers, it was clear they had a serious problem that could only be settled at Takeover: Brooklyn III. In the meantime, this segment made for a great sense of realism.