What you loved:
- In-Ring - Check out Cagesider Phil X's many links in the comments, Itami has put on some classic matches over his 14 year career.
- Stiff Style - In Japan, he was known for his hard-hitting strikes.
- Balor Team-Up - They work well off of each other in the ring, and even their promos are getting better.
- GTS - Before Punk, there was KENTA. Did I mention he hit really hard?
- Likeable - He plays a great babyface in peril, hope we see more of that in NXT.
Best comment comes via Phil X:
"Itami’s look and overall aura. He has a slender, athletic look. Itami looks like the kind of guy that you’d be better off trying to grapple with instead of exchanging strikes with. While that look and aura isn’t uncommon in Japanese wrestling, it is refreshing to see in the WWE."
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What you loathed:
- Connection - This comes with time, but his connection to the crowd is still a work in progress.
- Ascension Feud - Not the best in-ring duo for Itami to work with right off the bat. He has looked less bad-ass as well, compared to other recent debuts (Owens, Balor). Hopefully this feud ends in the near future.
- WWE Style - Obvious statement alert! There is a massive difference from Japan and WWE's style of wrestling. The adjustment towards a slower and somewhat safer match takes some getting used to for some international stars.
- Creative - It will be awhile before his call-up, but Creative does not have a great track record with Asian wrestlers.
- Injuries - At 33, he's had a number of of knee injuries that have slowed Itami up just a bit.
Best comment comes via Bish Bash Falls:
"I loathe that he’s slow to adapt his style to suit WWE. I get that he’d have to change a couple things up, but it’s noticeable how he seems to be visibly limiting his offensive capabilities. It’ll take some time for him to get just the right mixture of that Strong Style and WWE Style, and I’m confident that he will, but it’s affecting my full enjoyment of him. The same goes for his promos. They’re improving, the few that he’s done, and I’m happy hearing stuff about how he’s doing well learning English… but for now, they’re affecting my enjoyment of him."
On to the poll! With 337 votes, Hideo Itami's average score is 4.4
Thanks, Cagesiders! Tomorrow's pick has been in the ring a lot, but does not wrestle.
Until then!