WWE’s Hideo Itami set for Naomichi Marufuji anniversary show

For the first time since he was known as KENTA, Hideo Itami will be sharing the ring with Naomichi Marufuji later this year.

At today’s Pro Wrestling NOAH show, it was announced that Marufuji vs. Itami (using his WWE name) would be the main event of Marufuji’s 20th anniversary event at Sumo Hall in Tokyo on September 1. The semi-main event for the anniversary show will be Takashi Sugiura & Daisuke Harada vs. Jun Akiyama & Atsushi Aoki.

Marufuji and Itami have a history as both rivals and opponents in NOAH. Itami departed the company in 2014 as he signed with WWE.

Itami joined the 205 Live roster last December and has recently been positioned as a top challenger for Cedric Alexander’s Cruiserweight Championship.

Dave Meltzer reported in last week’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE and NOAH had made a working agreement of some sort that would see Itami return for a show.