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What's the story?
After having reportedly granted his release by the WWE, a new report from PWInsider has now provided an update on Japanese sensation Hideo Itami and his current status with the company.
In case you didn't know...
After having developed himself as one of the best wrestlers in the world, thanks to his work under Pro Wrestling NOAH, Hideo Itami officially signed with the WWE in 2014 and was officially announced as the company's newest signee during an in-ring segment in Osaka.
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Itami's run as part of WWE's developmental brand of NXT was surely a good one, however, several injuries prevented the former GHC Heavyweight Champion to reach his absolute best and eventually win the coveted NXT Championship.
In 2017, Itami would move up to the main roster and would join the WWE Cruiserweight Division as part of the 205 Live brand. Itami's run on the purple brand was another surely fun to witness, however, the former NOAH star failed to win the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
The heart of the matter
Earlier in the week, it was reported by Fightful that Hideo Itami has seemingly asked for his WWE release and has been granted it by the company, meaning that within the next few weeks/months, the Japanese star will be officially on his way out of the WWE.
With several WWE superstars reacting to Itami's departure from the company and Itami himself also displaying a show of gratitude towards everyone else, PWInsider has managed to dig the latest information regarding Itami's current status with the WWE.
A new report from PWInsider, courtesy of Cultaholic, has claimed that as of right now, Itami has not been released by the WWE but will soon be allowed to leave the promotion nonetheless.
Whenever Itami does leave the company, he will have to undergo the 90-day non-compete clause before eventually returning to Japan.
What's next?
Hideo Itami is expected to leave the WWE sooner rather than later and upon his release, the former GHC Heavyweight Champion is expected to head back to Pro Wrestling NOAH rather than signing for a promotion like AEW.
