Hideo Itami injured, out 6-8 months

[Steveweiser]

On today's Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer implied that Hideo Itami may be suffering from an injury that could keep him out of the May 20th Takeover special. Whilst investigating Sami Zayn's injury, Meltzer wrote in this week's Observer Newsletter that NXT could have one of Itami, Finn Bálor or Tyler Breeze challenge Kevin Owens for the NXT Title if Zayn can't make the show. Then a representative from NXT contacted him, saying it wouldn't be Itami if that were the case. Meltzer didn't go any further on what type of injury Itami may have.

Wouldn't be surprised if we ended up getting Owens/Bálor again on May 20th.

EDIT: PWInsider says 6-8 months out.

[Abdullah]

My interest in this next special is just a little less now.

At least we have Sasha versus Becky.

[Deleted]

NXT has been taking a hit for the last few months. Stale shows and now two of their biggest stars injured (possibly).

[Hypnosis]

The f*** is going on? Talk about bad luck in the last few months.

[froggyfrog]

Yay everyone gets injured just in time for them to come to Philly.

[progwd]

Uhaa Nation versus Kevin Owens could happen if they're in a pickle.

[Johnny Flamingo]

If I was in charge of NXT (note to Hunter: call me), I would have Owens issue an open challenge for the show. Keep it silent up until the end and do a few teases with various wrestlers. Keep Owens in the ring a little longer than usual and bring out Samoa Joe. Tell Owens to watch Hunter's reaction when he faced Cactus Jack for the first time and tell him to try and emulate that emotion as best he can.

[El Cokehead del Knife Fight]

If he didn't have his match with Corbin, Rhyno would be a nice sub since it would probably result in a good brawl.

[A Platypus Rave]

Could just be the rep saying that they didn't want to hotshot Itami vs. Owens.

The wording that was given doesn't say that he was injured just that if they were going to sub someone in for Sami it wouldn't be Itami.

[The Legendary Ring Troll {BLM}]

May 7, 2015 8:59:25 GMT -5 Johnny Flamingo said:

If I was in charge of NXT (note to Hunter: call me), I would have Owens issue an open challenge for the show. Keep it silent up until the end and do a few teases with various wrestlers. Keep Owens in the ring a little longer than usual and bring out Samoa Joe. Tell Owens to watch Hunter's reaction when he faced Cactus Jack for the first time and tell him to try and emulate that emotion as best he can.

I love this idea and am now depressed it won't happen.

[________ has left the building]

May 7, 2015 9:08:36 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

Could just be the rep saying that they didn't want to hotshot Itami vs. Owens.

The wording that was given doesn't say that he was injured just that if they were going to sub someone in for Sami it wouldn't be Itami.

That's what it sounds like but let's that not get in the way of a more juicier story.

[Bad Moon]

I bet this is also Cena's fault.

[Deleted]

Rather than slotting someone in Zayn's place, I'd just make it a four way match.

[543Y2J]

Zayn AND now Itami



Worst case scenario

NXT Title
Owens vs Balor II

Number 1 Contenders Match
Uhaa Nation vs Breeze v Rhino
Uhaa'a Debut Match

Doesn't look bad at all to me. Introduce the absolute phenominal Uhaa Nation in ring, easily make him into a top end of NXT player. And get another great Balor vs Owens match as well.

Still though this NXT injury bug going around (depending on the final results for Itami/Zayn) is hurting my soul

[01010010 01101001 01100011]

I'd rather Breeze/Owens than Balor/Owens. Itami/Owens if fine but on down the line..

[The Legend of Groose]

Somehow, Someway, this is Cena's fault for being so careless and not wanting to take his top spot in the roster. :`)

[lionheart21]

May 7, 2015 8:59:25 GMT -5 Johnny Flamingo said:

If I was in charge of NXT (note to Hunter: call me), I would have Owens issue an open challenge for the show. Keep it silent up until the end and do a few teases with various wrestlers. Keep Owens in the ring a little longer than usual and bring out Samoa Joe. Tell Owens to watch Hunter's reaction when he faced Cactus Jack for the first time and tell him to try and emulate that emotion as best he can.

This would rank up there with one of my biggest mark-out moments of all time.

[Steveweiser]

PWInsider says it's a shoulder injury, and he's out for between 6-8 months.

GODDAMN IT.

[EoE: Well There's Your Problem]

It's the great shoulder injury plague of 2015, sweeping through NXT. Not to mention Jey Uso and Goldust on the main roster.

This will be a real test of their roster depth. Neville is main roster now, and Zayn and Itami are on the shelf, so the much vaunted core of guys they were hoping to build this growing touring schedule around has been seemingly cut in half... That said, it could be a big opportunity for some of the lesser-used and/or newer guys to step up and fill that void in the interim period, going against Owens, Balor and Breeze.

[Hypnosis]

May 7, 2015 11:13:30 GMT -5 Steveweiser said:

PWInsider says it's a shoulder injury, and he's out for between 6-8 months.

GODDAMN IT.

It's Elevated Liver Enzymes II.