WWE confirms release of Hideo Itami

WWE made Hideo Itami’s release official this afternoon and confirmed that he’s no longer with the company.

After announcing that Tye Dillinger had been granted his release, WWE posted a similar statement on Itami: “WWE has come to terms on the release of Kenta Kobayashi (Hideo Itami).”

It was reported on January 29 that Itami had requested his release and it would be granted. Itami lost to Akira Tozawa on 205 Live that night and was laid out by Ariya Daivari in a post-match angle. Itami tweeted after his last appearance for WWE: “THANK YOU.”

Itami signed with WWE and joined NXT in 2014, before being added to the cruiserweight division in December 2017. Itami dealt with multiple injuries during his time in WWE.

Last September, Itami returned to Pro Wrestling NOAH for one night. He lost to Naomichi Marufuji on Marufuji’s 20th anniversary show.

Itami’s last week in WWE was chronicled on an episode of #205Life: