What’s the story?
NXT Superstar Hideo Itami may have teased a heel turn after his match with NXT Champion Bobby Roode. In a backstage segment after his losing effort, the Japanese Superstar cut loose in the locker room area and had some choice words for Kassius Ohno.
In case you didn’t know...
While Itami’s injury woes put him on the shelf for an extended period, several of his contemporaries such as Kevin Owens, Finn Balor and Sami Zayn have won the NXT Championship and subsequently graduated to the main roster. Itami’s title shot at NXT: TakeOver Orlando was his opportunity to redeem himself.
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The heart of the matter
Itami may have taken a plunge to the dark side as the video shows him raising hell in the locker room area. In the video clip released by the WWE, Itami loses his cool and lets it out in the locker room. Other like Funaki and Kassius Ohno tried to reason with him, but this only led to Itami spewing more abuse in Ohno’s direction.
Hideo Itami challenged Bobby Roode for the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: Chicago. The two put on a great show, but Roode finally emerged as the victor after he connected with two back-to-back Glorious DDTs on Itami.
Also read: 5 Botches, slip-ups, and outrageous moments from NXT TakeOver: Chicago
What’s next?
The exchange may lead fans to believe that WWE is planning for a feud between Hideo Itami and Kassius Ohno in the near future. Kassius Ohno tried to calm Itami down during the exchange, but the latter ended up shoving him. Small as that incident might be, it could have subtly planted seeds for a heel turn for Itami and a high-profile matchup with Ohno.
Author's take?
One can understand the source of Itami’s frustrations. He was one of the very first recruits in the paradigm shifting crop of NXT wrestlers, but he has been stifled by his injury woes. It will be interesting to see if this heelish persona lends a more hard-hitting and brutal edge to Itami’s formidable move set.
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