nxt tournament

Isenberg Reacts: WWE NXT “Is Hideo Itami The Right Choice For Bobby Roode?”

By Josh Isenberg

Hideo Itami vs. Roderick Strong

Photo Credit: 2k Sports
Photo Credit: 2k Sports

Putting Roderick Strong and Hideo Itami in a ring for 15 minutes is always going to bring out some great technical wrestling. Both men are very talented in the ring from a physical and technical stand point, but both have struggled early on to get over with more than just the marks. Hideo Itami’s problem has been injuries. Roderick Strong’s problem has been time on the mic. It did not really matter tonight, as both men battled for a chance to face Bobby Roode in Chicago. The ending moments of the match showed determination and struggle. Hideo Itami kneed Strong in the face and then a boot/dropkick into the corner. You could see him turn it up even more than before, screaming and bleeding emotion. Strong pushed him away and showed attitude and desire, but the GTS knocked out Strong for the final blow.

I loved this match and loved how they turned it up BIG TIME for an opportunity to fight for the NXT Championship in less than two weeks. The question is this: is Hideo Itami the right choice right now? Absolutely. Hideo Itami needs to feel important and the best way is for him to come so close to beating Bobby Roode. Neither guy has the theatrics as Nakamura or Dillinger had against Roode, but it is going to be much more about old school wrestling. For a Takeover that seems rushed and forced, Hideo Itami is such a nice fit in the main event.

The only issue I have is that Roderick Strong, Kassius Ohno, Drew McIntyre and Aleister Black have no announced match 10 days away from a Takeover event. These guys are supposed to be your heavy hitters, the ones that the fans (Casual and hardcore) want and need to care about. This is why NXT Takeover should have been in June and not May. The NXT shows after WrestleMania were a waste until a few weeks ago. WWE can get away with this because they have 3 hours on Monday and 2 hours on Tuesday. NXT has 1 hour on Wednesday nights. NXT always delivers on the big stage, but I just wish they had a few more weeks to put the important pieces in place.

They are making the best out of the situation, which is still really good. Just think an extra 3-4 weeks of build.

WZ 8

@JoshIsenberg4 on Twitter. WWE NXT Rating:

WZ 7

Josh Isenberg
Josh Isenberg

Josh controls most of the creative writing and ideas for the show on a weekly basis, as well as an on-air talent.
Aside from working with WrestleZone, Isenberg began his career in Broadcast Journalism interning at ESPN and worked with CBS Radio for three years. He has also had the opportunity to interview some of the best athletes and performers alive, including Andrew McCutchen, Ben Roethlisberger, Chris Jericho, Billy Gunn, Karl Anderson, Matt Hardy, Steven Strasburg and others.
Currently, Josh Isenberg works for Major League Baseball in their Advanced Media Productions. He grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Point Park University, which is where Chair Shot Reality is filmed each week.
His life outside of his obsession with wrestling include being a savant for Seinfeld, NFL, NBA, MLB and many television shows. He also has an undying love for musicals, which includes many shows he was a part of in high school. Some of his favorite wrestling moments can be linked to such superstars as Edge, The Rock, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and The Great Khali. 

 
 
Follow @JoshIsenberg4

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