We wrote about this botch when it happened back on Oct. 1, but moved on to the next news item because Hideo Itami walked out of the ring and dismissed the trainers at the NXT Largo house show where it occurred.
Nasty bump for Hideo Itami #NXTLargo pic.twitter.com/ykkL8thJOi
— Falker Man (@Falkerman) October 2, 2016
According to a report from Pro Wrestling Sheet, the aftermath of being spiked on his head during a powerslam from Riddick Moss has been much more involved. In fact, it resulted in neck damage that will ”keep him from wrestling for months”.
Itami was just back from a shoulder injury which kept him on the shelf for more than a year. He’d been announced for a spot in the Dusty Rhodes Classic, alongside Kota Ibushi, but with the remaining matches in that tournament expected to take place at the television taping tomorrow (Oct. 12) and TakeOver: Toronto (Nov. 19), it appears NXT will need a plan B for their spot.
At 35 years old and with injuries mounting, you sadly have to wonder if the WWE window is closing for the former KENTA. And that being the case, we’re likely to hear more arguments against having guys like Itami, Finn Balor or Shinsuke Nakamura toiling with new prospects in Florida gyms instead of getting a chance on the bigger stages of the main roster.
In the meantime, we’ll hope for the best, and wish Hideo a speedy recovery.