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Kenta Kobayashi

October 14, 2023

"KENTA" redirects here. For other uses, see Kenta.
Not to be confused with Kenta Kobashi.

Kenta Kobayashi (小林 健太, Kobayashi Kenta, born March 12, 1981),[1] known mononymously as Kenta (stylised in all caps), is a Japanese professional wrestler. He currently works for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of the Bullet Club stable. A former amateur kickboxer, Kobayashi's wrestling style is based upon strong kicks and strikes. Kobayashi pioneered both the Go 2 Sleep and Busaiku Knee kick finishing maneuvers, later popularized by CM Punk and Bryan Danielson, respectively.

Kenta Kobayashi
Kobayashi in February 2023
Birth nameKenta Kobayashi (小林 健太, Kobayashi Kenta)
Born (1981-03-12) March 12, 1981 (age 42)[1]
Sōka, Saitama, Japan[1][2]
Children2
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Halimao
Hideo Itami[3]
KENTA[4]
Kenta Kobayashi
Billed height1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[4]
Billed weight85 kg (187 lb)[4]
Billed fromTokyo, Japan[3]
Trained byAll Japan Dojo[5]
Kenta Kobashi[6]
Yoshihiro Takayama[6]
DebutMay 24, 2000[1]

Kobayashi started his career in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), before moving to Pro Wrestling Noah; through Noah's involvement in the Global Professional Wrestling Alliance (GPWA), a global organization of cooperative promotions that allow their competitors to travel abroad to other companies, he has wrestled extensively in American promotion Ring of Honor (ROH).[7] In Noah, he was a one-time GHC Heavyweight Champion, three-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion,[8] three-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and one-time GHC Tag Team Champion. He was also the winner of the 2012 Global League and the 2013 Global Tag League tournaments.

He is also well known for his tenure in American promotion WWE where he worked under the name Hideo Itami (ヒデオ・イタミ) in the company's developmental territory NXT and later in their cruiserweight exclusive brand 205 Live. In 2019, he departed from WWE, and in May, appeared for NJPW, announcing his participation in that year's G1 Climax and aligned with former tag partner Katsuyori Shibata. He turned on Shibata and joined the Bullet Club, and has since held the Strong Openweight Championship twice and NEVER Openweight Championship and the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship once each. On the American independent circuit, he is the current DEFY World Champion in his first reign.

Early life Edit

Kobayashi was born on March 12, 1981, in Sōka, Japan.[4] He trained under Kenta Kobashi and Yoshihiro Takayama.[6]

Professional wrestling career Edit

All Japan Pro Wrestling (2000) Edit

Prior to wrestling professionally, Kobayashi had a variety of athletic backgrounds, practicing baseball and kickboxing; the latter came to be a strong foundation in his wrestling style often referred to as shoot style.[2] Kobayashi made his professional wrestling debut on May 24, 2000, against future ally and rival, Naomichi Marufuji, in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) to compete in their junior heavyweight division. He did not remain in the company long as Mitsuharu Misawa, acting president of AJPW, decided to leave the company following a dispute, leading to Misawa forming his own company, Pro Wrestling Noah.[9]

Pro Wrestling Noah Edit

Early appearances and Burning (2000–2003) Edit

See also: Burning (professional wrestling)

One of Misawa's focuses in his new promotion was the junior heavyweight division, which never was treated with high regard in AJPW despite the successes in other promotions. Being sidelined with injuries for the majority of Noah's first year of operation, Kobayashi made his return in July 2001, simply named Kenta.[9]

Kenta's first involvement in a championship situation came when Naomichi Marufuji was forced to vacate the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship after suffering a knee injury;[10] Kenta entered into the tournament held to determine a new champion. He advanced to the finals by defeating Kotaro Suzuki and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi before losing to Yoshinobu Kanemaru on the Navigation with Breeze Tour in June 2002.[11] Following his relative success in the tournament, Kenta had an increase in his popularity, and he joined his mentor, Kenta Kobashi, in the faction Burning.[12]

Junior Heavyweight Championship success (2003–2011) Edit

March 1, 2003, saw Kenta team with Naomichi Marufuji for the first time against Makoto Hashi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru in a winning effort. They began teaming regularly as the two entered into a tournament to christen the first GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions during the company's Accomplish Our Third Navigation tour; they went to win the tournament by defeating junior heavyweight veterans Jyushin Thunder Liger and Takehiro Murahama in the finals on July 16.[13] While defending the tag team title, Kenta continued his venture in hopes of winning the GHC Junior Heavyweight title once again on November 30, 2003, in an unsuccessful bid against Takashi Sugiura.[14]

 
Kenta (far left) with Samoa Joe and Katsuhiko Nakajima

As part of a reward for the way Kenta performed, he earned himself a trial series of seven matches going into the next year, seeing Kenta able to challenge more established stars in an attempt to elevate his status. Kenta began his trial series on the First Navigation tour, beating Juventud Guerrera. This was followed by defeats to Yoshinari Ogawa and Jun Akiyama. The final match of the series was a loss against Marufuji in October.[9] While the series was taking place, Kenta and Marufuji continued defending their title against a number of challengers: El Samurai and Ryusuke Taguchi, Yoshinari Ogawa and Kotaro Suzuki, Suzuki and Ricky Marvin, Marvin and Suwa and, on Noah's first Tokyo Dome show, against Kendo Kashin and Takashi Sugiura. Their reign as champions came to an end in June 2005 after almost two years by Kanemaru and Sugiura after the latter pinned Kenta.[15]

Kenta's first major rivalry in singles competition began in March 2005 following a dispute with SUWA, which led to a series of confrontations between the two, including a violent match that ended in his opponent getting disqualified for assaulting the referee. This led to Kenta getting one more chance to challenge for the Junior Heavyweight title against Yoshinobu Kanemaru at Destiny on July 18, which saw him win the title.[16] He made his first defense two months later against Suwa, then against Kotaro Suzuki as his alter ego, Mushiking Terry. Simultaneously, Kenta began teaming with Katsuyori Shibata as The Takeover, challenging for the GHC Tag Team Championship, the heavyweight version of the company's tag team title.[17]

On March 5, 2006, Kenta faced a major challenge in Kenta Kobashi, which saw him lose following a Burning Hammer.[18] This was followed by a loss of the Junior Heavyweight title on June 4 to Takashi Sugiura. This saw Kenta shift his attention to the GHC Heavyweight Championship, challenging Naomichi Marufuji, losing in a match which won numerous awards and accolades from the wrestling media.[18]

Kenta spent the majority of his 2007 time in Noah wrestling a variety of tag team and six-man tag team matches with protégé Taiji Ishimori and Akitoshi Saito as partners. He saw most of his success with Ishimori as the two had critically acclaimed matches against a wide variety of competitors, including Ring of Honor (ROH) competitors on loan to the company due to the talent exchange agreement, the Global Professional Wrestling Alliance (GPWA), between ROH and Noah: the Briscoe Brothers, Davey Richards, and Bryan Danielson.[19] As Kenta and Ishimori progressed as a unit, they entered the first NTV Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Tournament; in the finals they beat Marufuji and Kota Ibushi to win the tournament. They later challenged the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Dragon Gate wrestlers BxB Hulk and Shingo Takagi, in a winning effort before losing them to Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Kotaro Suzuki,[20] only to defeat the team to win the second NTV Junior Heavyweight Tag Team League Tournament.[21]

Following his loss of the tag title, Kenta returned to competing in singles competition by defeating Bryan Danielson for his second GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship,[22] which led to a match with Marufuji, who had won the World Junior Heavyweight Championship, to attempt to unify the titles; the match ended in a sixty-minute draw, keeping the titles in the hands of their respective holder, while gaining favorable reviews for their efforts by the media with some claiming it to be a Match of the Year.[23] Kenta lost the title in February 2009 to rival in their interpromotional rivalry with another member of the GPWA in the Kensuke Office, Katsuhiko Nakajima, only to win it back in the next month.[24] In October, Kobayashi was forced to vacate the title after suffering a knee injury, which would keep him sidelined for over seven months.[25]

Kobayashi made his return from injury on June 6, 2010, losing to Naomichi Marufuji in a GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship number one contender's match.[26] On October 30, 2010, Kenta and Atsushi Aoki defeated Roderick Strong and Eddie Edwards in the finals of a tournament to win the 2010 Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League.[27] As a result, Kenta and Aoki received a shot at the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, but were defeated by the champions, New Japan Pro-Wrestling representatives Koji Kanemoto and Tiger Mask, on November 23, 2010.[28] On January 29, 2011, Kenta turned heel and join the Disobey stable with members Muhammad Yone, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Genba Hirayanagi. Kenta would change his look and attitude. Then on March 5, he turned on Yone, removing him from the group. One week later, he renamed the stable No Mercy. On May 25 Kenta and Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Atsushi Aoki and Kotaro Suzuki of the ANMU stable to win the vacant GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. After months of trying to persuade his mentor Yoshihiro Takayama to join No Mercy, on June 26 Takayama turned on his partner Takuma Sano during a tag match against Kenta and Kanemaru and became the fourth member of the group. Kenta and Kanemaru would then make it to the finals of the Junior Tag League on July 30. They lost to Atsushi Aoki and Kotaro Suzuki. Then on August 18, 2011, Kenta and Yoshihiro Takayama won the Noah 2 Day Tag Team Tournament. On August 24, Kenta and Kanemaru successfully defended their tag title against Aoki and Suzuki, who got the shot due to their victory in the Junior Tag League. On September 23, Kenta confronted GHC Heavyweight Champion Go Shiozaki after he defeated Takayama to retain the title. Kenta got a number one contender's match with Takashi Sugiura, which he won on October 10. Kenta and Kanemaru lost the GHC Junior Heavyweight tag title to Aoki and Suzuki on October 16.

Transition to the heavyweight division (2011–2013) Edit

At Noah's Halloween show on October 31, 2011, Kenta challenged the NJPW team Bad Intentions (Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson) for the GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Championship with Yoshihiro Takayama. The match was set for 2012, but never happened due to injury. In November, Kenta entered Noah's Global Tag League and developed a new submission move he called "Game Over" to help him dispatch heavyweights. Kenta would make it to the finals on November 20, but would lose to Takeshi Morishima. On November 27, he lost to Go Shiozaki in his GHC Heavyweight title shot. In December 2011, Kenta tore his ACL again, forcing him to undergo another surgery to repair it. It was announced that he would be out of action for six to seven months. Tokyo Sports named Kenta the 2011 Technical Wrestler of the Year. Despite his injury, Kenta would stay in Noah and manage No Mercy during his injury. On February 14, 2012, Kenta recruited Shuhei Taniguchi as the fifth member of No Mercy and change his name to Maybach, becoming his mouthpiece and talking for him.

Kenta made his in-ring return on July 22, 2012, losing to Naomichi Marufuji. On October 8, Kenta and Maybach Taniguchi defeated Magnus and Samoa Joe to win the GHC Tag Team Championship for the first time.[29] However, they lost the title to Akitoshi Saito and Go Shiozaki just eighteen days later.[30] On November 23, Kenta won the 2012 Global League.[31]

Heavyweight Champion (2013–2014) Edit

On January 27, 2013, Kenta defeated Takeshi Morishima for the GHC Heavyweight Championship at Great Voyage 2013.[32] On February 9, Maybach Taniguchi turned on Kenta and stole his Heavyweight Championship belt.[33] The following week, Kenta took part in a South American tour with the Alianza Latinoamericana de Lucha Libre (AULL) promotion, during which he won the Torneo Latino Americano de Lucha Libre, defeating Super Crazy in the finals.[34][35] On March 10, Kenta defeated Maybach Taniguchi for his first successful defense of the GHC Heavyweight Championship.[36] On April 28, Kenta and Yoshihiro Takayama defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima and Kensuke Sasaki in the finals to win the 2013 Global Tag League.[37] On May 11, Kenta took part in Kenta Kobashi's retirement match at Final Burning in Budokan, where he, Go Shiozaki, Maybach Taniguchi, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru were defeated by Kobashi, Jun Akiyama, Keiji Muto, and Kensuke Sasaki.[38] The following day, Kenta made his second successful defense of the GHC Heavyweight Championship against Takashi Sugiura.[39] On June 2, Kenta defeated New Japan Pro-Wrestling representative and reigning GHC Tag Team Champion Toru Yano for his third successful title defense.[40] Six days later, Kenta was pinned by Yano in a GHC Tag Team Championship match, where he and Yoshihiro Takayama unsuccessfully challenged Yano and Takashi Iizuka.[41] On July 7, Kenta made his fourth successful defense of the GHC Heavyweight Championship against Naomichi Marufuji.[42] Kenta's fifth successful title defense took place on August 4, when he defeated Muhammad Yone.[43] Next Kenta defended his title against the reigning GHC Tag Team Champions, first defeating Shane Haste on September 7 and then Mikey Nicholls on September 16.[44][45] On October 5, Kenta defeated Diamond Ring representative Katsuhiko Nakajima for his eighth successful title defense.[46] With the win, Kenta became the first wrestler to successfully defend the GHC Heavyweight Championship eight times during a calendar year.[47] On December 7, Kenta defeated New Japan representative and winner of the 2013 Global League, Yuji Nagata, for his ninth successful title defense.[48] Kenta's near one-year long reign ended on January 5, 2014, when he lost the title to Takeshi Morishima in his tenth defense.[49]

On February 3, 2014, Kenta and Maybach Taniguchi's long rivalry culminated in a No Disqualification match, where Kenta was victorious.[50] After Yuji Nagata had defeated Morishima to become the GHC Heavyweight Champion, Kenta received the first shot at the new champion, but was defeated in the title match on February 22.[51] On April 30, Noah held a press conference during which Kenta announced his resignation from the promotion.[52][53][54] Kenta wrestled his farewell match on May 17, where he and Naomichi Marufuji defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima and Takashi Sugiura.[55]

Sporadic returns (2018, 2023) Edit

While still under WWE contract, Kenta made a one-off return to Noah under his WWE ring name of Hideo Itami on September 1, 2018, losing to Naomichi Marufuji at Marufuji's 20th Anniversary show.[56]

On January 2, 2023, Kenta would make another one-night return to team up with Marufuji and challenge Takashi Sugiura and Satoshi Kojima for the GHC Tag Team Championship at New Year 2023, in an unsuccessful effort.

Ring of Honor (2005–2009) Edit

 
Kenta at an ROH event, September 2008

Aside from competing in Pro Wrestling Noah, Kenta was able to compete abroad in the United States with other participating members of the GPWA. His first appearance in the country was with Ring of Honor at Final Battle 2005, as a fan favorite, defending the GHC Junior Heavyweight title against Low Ki.[57] He returned to the company the following year for Best in the World in New York City on March 25 where he and Naomichi Marufuji defeated the team of Samoa Joe and ROH World champion Bryan Danielson after Kenta connected with his finishing strike, the Go 2 Sleep, on Danielson.[58] Kenta returned for In Your Face featuring him in a three-way match against Joe and Danielson, which ended in similar fashion.[59]

Kenta's first loss in the company came in the form of a tag team match, which saw his partner, Davey Richards, get pinned in a match against the Briscoe Brothers.[60] This led to a series of matches with the two against each other, as well as reluctant partners.[61][62] At Glory by Honor V: Night 2, Kenta received another match against Danielson for the ROH World title, which saw him submit to Danielson's signature hold, the Cattle Mutilation.[63]

Kenta made his return to Ring of Honor on May 11 of the next year against Delirious in a winning effort.[64] Ring of Honor made its pay per view debut with the show, Respect is Earned, teaming with Nigel McGuinness against Danielson and Takeshi Morishima in a losing effort, after which Kenta spent several months with the company competing against rival, Davey Richards and his contingency, the No Remorse Corps. Kenta made his next appearance on the Glory By Honor VI tour; the first night had him team with the GHC Heavyweight Champion Mitsuharu Misawa against Takeshi Morishima and Naomichi Marufuji, with the match ending in a thirty-minute time limit draw.[65] The following night, Kenta wrestled Misawa for the GHC Heavyweight Championship in a losing effort.[65]

Kenta made his return in 2009 against ROH World Champion, Nigel McGuinness in a losing effort at the company's seventh anniversary show. He returned a few weeks later to challenge Davey Richards once more, as well as make his second pay per view appearance for Take No Prisoners teaming with Tyler Black against Katsuhiko Nakajima and Austin Aries.[66] Kobayashi was scheduled to return to ROH in November 2009, but was forced to cancel the appearances after suffering a knee injury.[67]

WWE Edit

NXT (2014–2017) Edit

 
Itami at WrestleMania Axxess, March 2015

On January 27, 2014, Kenta, with Noah's blessing, entered WWE's Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, for a tryout.[68][69] In a press release, Kenta claimed that he was not after a WWE contract, but only wanted to fulfill a dream and take part in a WWE workout.[70] On June 27, Tokyo Sports reported that Kenta had signed with WWE.[71][72] His signing was officially announced during an in-ring segment on July 12 in Osaka. Kobayashi relocated to Orlando to resume training at the Performance Center, while also working for WWE's developmental territory NXT.[73]

Kobayashi debuted on September 11 at NXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way, introduced by William Regal, where he announced his new ring name, "Hideo Itami", meaning "Hero of Pain",[74] and fended off The Ascension when they interrupted the segment to confront Regal.[75] Itami made his in-ring debut at the following day's tapings of NXT, defeating Justin Gabriel, after which he was attacked by The Ascension.[76][77] During the following weeks, Itami kept engaging The Ascension in brawls, but continually lost due to the numbers disadvantage;[78][79] the storyline was that as a newcomer in NXT, Itami did not have any friends in the locker room to help him.[80] This continued until November, when Finn Bálor debuted as Itami's new partner.[81] After weeks of feuding with The Ascension, Itami and Bálor defeated them at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution on December 11. Itami then participated in an NXT Championship number one contender's tournament, defeating Tyler Breeze in the first round, starting a feud between the two.[82] He suffered his first defeat in NXT on January 15, 2015, when he was defeated by Bálor in the semi-finals, thus eliminating him from the tournament.[83] At NXT TakeOver: Rival, Itami defeated Breeze in a rematch. They continued to exchange victories over each other until Itami lost a two-out-of-three falls match to Breeze on the April 1 episode of NXT to end the feud.[84] On March 27, Itami won the WrestleMania Axxess NXT tournament by defeating Adrian Neville and then Finn Bálor to get a spot in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the pre-show of WrestleMania 31,[85] where he was eliminated by eventual winner Big Show.[86]

On May 20 at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, Itami was scheduled to face Finn Bálor and Tyler Breeze in a triple threat match to determine the number one contender for the NXT Championship; however, Itami was ruled out due to injury after an attack he suffered before the event started.[87] This was made as Itami had suffered a legitimate shoulder injury, which required surgery and was expected to sideline him for six months.[88][89] In January 2016, it was reported that Itami had suffered complications with his shoulder and was "nowhere close to being able to return".[90]

After over a year of inactivity, Itami returned to the ring on June 30, 2016, at an NXT live event, teaming with TM-61 to defeat Samoa Joe, Blake and Tino Sabbatelli in a six-man tag team match.[91] On August 3, Itami made his televised return, defeating Cruiserweight Classic competitor Sean Maluta. At NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II, Itami confronted Austin Aries, following the latter's match with No Way Jose, exchanging blows before attacking Aries with a GTS. On October 12 at an NXT live event, Itami suffered a neck injury after a botched powerslam from Riddick Moss and would not be able to team with Kota Ibushi in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in which he was scheduled to compete. In a video announcement published on October 18, Itami vowed to return to in-ring competition at NXT's first show in Japan on December 3.[92] However, at the event, Itami did not compete but was instead in an in-ring segment alongside William Regal where they talked to the crowd.[93]

Itami made his televised return on April 19, 2017, where he confronted NXT Champion Bobby Roode, before slapping him and executing a GTS.[94] This led to a match at NXT TakeOver: Chicago, in which Itami was unsuccessful in winning the title from Roode. On the June 7 episode of NXT, furious after his loss to Roode, Itami faced Oney Lorcan, which ended in a no-contest after Itami performed three GTSs on Lorcan until Kassius Ohno attempted to save Lorcan, teasing a heel turn and a feud between the pair. On the July 5 episode of NXT, Itami teamed with Ohno in a tag team match against Sanity (Killian Dain and Alexander Wolfe), but lost after Itami refused to tag in Ohno.[95] On the July 26 episode of NXT, Itami faced Ohno in the main event, which ended after Itami intentionally disqualified himself with a low blow to Ohno before viciously attacking and laying him out after two GTSs, followed by a third onto the steel steps, cementing his heel turn.[96] On the August 2 edition of NXT, Itami cut an in-ring promo, demanding respect from the fans. He was interrupted by Aleister Black, who was scheduled to face Kyle O'Reilly in the night's main event. After a stare down between the two, Black hit Itami with Black Mass.[97] Itami attempted to assault Black following the event, but the two were separated by fellow talent.[98] At NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, Itami was defeated by Black.[99] In his last NXT match, Itami defeated Fabian Aichner at a live event on December 16.

205 Live and departure (2017–2019) Edit

 
Itami in April 2018

On November 21, 2017, it was announced that Itami would be moving to the main roster as part of the cruiserweight division on 205 Live.[100] On the December 18 episode of Raw, Itami would make his main roster debut, aiding Finn Bálor to fend off and face Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas in a tag team match, which Itami and Bálor would win, turning face in the process. On the December 25 episode of Raw, Itami would defeat The Brian Kendrick, in which Kendrick would suffer an injury following a Go to Sleep by Itami. This would lead to Itami entering a short feud with Kendrick's tag team partner, Gentleman Jack Gallagher.

On the February 6 episode of 205 Live, Itami would be defeated by Roderick Strong in the first round of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship tournament. During the following month, Itami would have a feud with fellow Japanese wrestler Akira Tozawa, Mustafa Ali and was involved into the orbit for Cedric Alexander's Cruiserweight Championship. He participated in a fatal four-way match involving cruiserweight champion Buddy Murphy, Kalisto, and Tozawa at the Royal Rumble, where he lost after being pinned by Murphy.[101]

On January 29, it was reported that Itami requested and was granted his release from the company after a five-year run.[102][103] This was followed by multiple members of the roster saying goodbye to Itami on social media.[104] On February 4, 2019, the WWE Performance Center YouTube channel that documents the Superstars travel and backstage life released a video chronicling Itami's last week in WWE. The video features Itami working with Daivari and talking about his struggles with learning to speak and understand English. The end of the video sees Hideo walking back to gorilla position and being given a standing ovation from those in the backstage area.[105] On February 22, Kobayashi was officially released by WWE, as the company formally acknowledged his departure on Twitter.[106]

In 2020, when he was working with NJPW, Kenta said that his time with WWE were "the most frustrating days of my life".[107]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2019–present) Edit

Bullet Club and NEVER Openweight Champion (2019–2020) Edit

Main article: Bullet Club
 
Kenta as the NEVER Openweight Champion in December 2019

Kenta made his surprise debut for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) on June 9, 2019, at the Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall event as a face, with Katsuyori Shibata as his manager, announcing his participation in the 2019 G1 Climax tournament.[108] Kenta made his in-ring debut for NJPW on July 6, defeating Kota Ibushi as a part of the tournament.[109] Kenta, competing in the A Block of the tournament, stayed undefeated in singles matches for over a month and a half, defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi,[110] Lance Archer,[111] and Evil[112] before suffering his first defeat against IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada on July 27, as part of the tournament.[113] Kenta would then lose his next four matches against Sanada,[114] Bad Luck Fale,[115] Will Ospreay[116] and Zack Sabre Jr., failing to win the tournament with a final tally of 8 points (four wins and five losses).[117][118]

On the final night of the tournament, Kenta competed in a six-man tag team match alongside Chaos members Tomohiro Ishii and Yoshi-Hashi against Bullet Club's Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, and Tanga Loa, only to turn on them in the closing moments of the match and assisting the Bullet Club for the victory, turning heel. As Kenta was going to explain his actions, Katsuyori Shibata rushed into the ring and attacked Kenta until the rest of the Bullet Club members ambushed Shibata.[119] At Royal Quest on August 31, Kenta defeated Ishii to win the NEVER Openweight Championship, his first championship in NJPW.[120] The match was criticized because Kobayashi suffered a concussion after a back suplex by Ishii, getting knocked out in the process. However, both continued the match without referee stoppage.[121] He was sent to the hospital after the show.[122] At Destruction in Kagoshima on September 16, Kenta returned and unsuccessfully faced Kota Ibushi for the Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Championship challenge rights certificate.[123]

At Power Struggle on November 3, Kenta retained his title against Ishii in a rematch. Later in the night, he attacked Hirooki Goto.[124] Kenta lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Goto at Wrestle Kingdom 14 on January 5, 2020, ending his reign at 127 days with two successful defenses.[125] Later that night, Kenta attacked Tetsuya Naito after his main event match with Kazuchika Okada. Kenta would challenge Naito for both the IWGP Intercontinental and IWGP Heavyweight Championships at The New Beginning in Osaka, where he was defeated.[126]

United States Heavyweight Champion (2020–2022) Edit

In August, Kenta competed in the inaugural New Japan Cup USA tournament, with the winner receiving a match for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. Kenta defeated Karl Fredericks in the first round, Jeff Cobb in the semi-finals, and David Finlay in the finals to win the tournament.[127][128][129] Kenta then competed in the 2020 G1 Climax in the B Block, but failed to win with a final score of 10 points.[130] At Power Struggle on November 7, Kenta successfully retained his Right to Challenge contract for the United States Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi.[131] He was then due to defend the contract against Juice Robinson at Wrestle Kingdom 15,[132] but Robinson suffered an injury and Satoshi Kojima was named as his replacement.[133] At the event on January 4, 2021, Kenta defeated Kojima to retain the Right to Challenge contract.[134] On the January 29 episode of Strong, Kenta was attacked by United States Champion Jon Moxley.[135] It was then announced that Kenta would receive his championship shot against Moxley at The New Beginning USA on February 26, where he was defeated.[136]

In March, Kenta competed in the New Japan Cup, defeating Juice Robinson and Minoru Suzuki, but losing to Shingo Takagi in the quarter-finals.[137] In July at Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome, Kenta competed in the New Japan Ranbo for the provisional KOPW Championship, but the match was won by Bullet Club stablemate Chase Owens.[138] Two months later Kenta competed in the G1 Climax 31 tournament, where he competed in the A Block.[139] Kenta finished the tournament with a total of 12 points, finishing joint 3rd in the block, failing to advance to the finals.[140]

At Power Struggle, Kenta defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.[141] He would lose the title back to Tanahashi three months later on Night 2 of Wrestle Kingdom 16 in a No disqualification match, where in the match Kenta was bloodily injured.[142] [143]

After his recovery, Kenta was announced to be a part of the G1 Climax 32 tournament in July, where he would compete in the C Block.[144] He finished with 6 points, failing to advance to the semi-finals.[145] In October, Kenta competed in a tournament to crown the first ever NJPW World Television Champion, defeating Hirooki Goto, in the first round.[146] In the following round, Kenta was defeated by Sanada.[147]

Strong Openweight Champion (2022–present) Edit

In November, Kenta returned to Strong, defeating Bad Dude Tito in his return match.[148] The following month, Kenta won a battle royal, to become the number one contender for the Strong Openweight Championship.[149] Kenta returned to Japan at Wrestle Kingdom 17, competing in the New Japan Ranbo, but failed to last till the final 4.[150] Back in the US, Kenta received his championship match for the Strong Openweight Championship at Battle in the Valley, where he defeated Fred Rosser to win the championship.[151]

Kenta returned to Japan to compete in the 2023 New Japan Cup, receiving a bye to the second round, where he was defeated by Sanada.[152] Later that month, Kenta returned to the US to make his first successful Strong Openweight Championship defense at Multiverse United, defeating Minoru Suzuki.[153] The following month, Kenta defended the title against Eddie Edwards at Capital Collision.[154] In May, at Wrestling Dontaku, Kenta lost the Strong Openweight Championship to former Bullet Club stablemate, Hikuleo, ending his reign at 74 days.[155] Despite this, Kenta regained the championship 18 days later, defeating Hikuleo at Resurgence.[156] On July 5's night 2 of Independence Day, Kenta lost the Strong Openweight Championship to Eddie Kingston, ending his reign at 45 days.[157] Later in the month, Kenta entered the 2023 G1 Climax tournament, competing in the B Block.[158] Kenta finished the tournament with 6 points, therefore failing to advance to the quarterfinals.[159]

All Elite Wrestling (2021) Edit

Kenta made a surprise appearance for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) at the Beach Break event on February 3, 2021, attacking Jon Moxley.[160] He wrestled his debut match for AEW on the February 10 episode of Dynamite, where he teamed with Kenny Omega to defeat Moxley and Lance Archer in a Falls Count Anywhere tag team match.[161]

Impact Wrestling (2023) Edit

Kenta would make his Impact debut at No Surrender on February 24, teaming with fellow Bullet Club members Chris Bey and Ace Austin, as they would beat Time Machine (Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin and Kushida) in a six-man tag team match. On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, he would face Josh Alexander for the Impact World Championship, in a losing effort.

Professional wrestling style and persona Edit

After his release from WWE in 2019, he joined NJPW five months later. Kenta was labelled as an outsider by many New Japan fans due to his long-time association with Pro Wrestling Noah. He would embrace the hatred, even joining the Bullet Club, and adopted the nickname, "Shijō Saiaku no Rannyū-sha" ("The Worst Intruder Ever")

As a former kickboxer, Kenta incorporates shoot-style kicks and stiff strikes. He is the inventor of the Go 2 Sleep, in which he carries his opponent in a fireman's carry before dropping them forward while lifting his left knee onto their face. He also uses a backbreaker rack version called Ura Go 2 Sleep.

Championships and accomplishments Edit

References Edit

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External links Edit

  •   Media related to Kenta Kobayashi at Wikimedia Commons
  • KENTA on Twitter
  • Kenta Kobayashi at IMDb  
  • Kenta's New Japan Pro-Wrestling profile
  • Hideo Itami on WWE.com  
  • Kenta Kobayashi's profile at Cagematch.net  , Wrestlingdata.com  , Internet Wrestling Database  

October 14, 2023
kenta, kobayashi, kenta, redirects, here, other, uses, kenta, confused, with, kenta, kobashi, 小林, 健太, kobayashi, kenta, born, march, 1981, known, mononymously, kenta, stylised, caps, japanese, professional, wrestler, currently, works, japan, wrestling, njpw, w. KENTA redirects here For other uses see Kenta Not to be confused with Kenta Kobashi Kenta Kobayashi 小林 健太 Kobayashi Kenta born March 12 1981 1 known mononymously as Kenta stylised in all caps is a Japanese professional wrestler He currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling NJPW where he is a member of the Bullet Club stable A former amateur kickboxer Kobayashi s wrestling style is based upon strong kicks and strikes Kobayashi pioneered both the Go 2 Sleep and Busaiku Knee kick finishing maneuvers later popularized by CM Punk and Bryan Danielson respectively Kenta KobayashiKobayashi in February 2023Birth nameKenta Kobayashi 小林 健太 Kobayashi Kenta Born 1981 03 12 March 12 1981 age 42 1 Sōka Saitama Japan 1 2 Children2Professional wrestling careerRing name s HalimaoHideo Itami 3 KENTA 4 Kenta KobayashiBilled height1 74 m 5 ft 9 in 4 Billed weight85 kg 187 lb 4 Billed fromTokyo Japan 3 Trained byAll Japan Dojo 5 Kenta Kobashi 6 Yoshihiro Takayama 6 DebutMay 24 2000 1 Kobayashi started his career in All Japan Pro Wrestling AJPW before moving to Pro Wrestling Noah through Noah s involvement in the Global Professional Wrestling Alliance GPWA a global organization of cooperative promotions that allow their competitors to travel abroad to other companies he has wrestled extensively in American promotion Ring of Honor ROH 7 In Noah he was a one time GHC Heavyweight Champion three time GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion 8 three time GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion and one time GHC Tag Team Champion He was also the winner of the 2012 Global League and the 2013 Global Tag League tournaments He is also well known for his tenure in American promotion WWE where he worked under the name Hideo Itami ヒデオ イタミ in the company s developmental territory NXT and later in their cruiserweight exclusive brand 205 Live In 2019 he departed from WWE and in May appeared for NJPW announcing his participation in that year s G1 Climax and aligned with former tag partner Katsuyori Shibata He turned on Shibata and joined the Bullet Club and has since held the Strong Openweight Championship twice and NEVER Openweight Championship and the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship once each On the American independent circuit he is the current DEFY World Champion in his first reign Contents 1 Early life 2 Professional wrestling career 2 1 All Japan Pro Wrestling 2000 2 2 Pro Wrestling Noah 2 2 1 Early appearances and Burning 2000 2003 2 2 2 Junior Heavyweight Championship success 2003 2011 2 2 3 Transition to the heavyweight division 2011 2013 2 2 4 Heavyweight Champion 2013 2014 2 2 5 Sporadic returns 2018 2023 2 3 Ring of Honor 2005 2009 2 4 WWE 2 4 1 NXT 2014 2017 2 4 2 205 Live and departure 2017 2019 2 5 New Japan Pro Wrestling 2019 present 2 5 1 Bullet Club and NEVER Openweight Champion 2019 2020 2 5 2 United States Heavyweight Champion 2020 2022 2 5 3 Strong Openweight Champion 2022 present 2 6 All Elite Wrestling 2021 2 7 Impact Wrestling 2023 3 Professional wrestling style and persona 4 Championships and accomplishments 5 References 6 External linksEarly life EditKobayashi was born on March 12 1981 in Sōka Japan 4 He trained under Kenta Kobashi and Yoshihiro Takayama 6 Professional wrestling career EditAll Japan Pro Wrestling 2000 Edit Prior to wrestling professionally Kobayashi had a variety of athletic backgrounds practicing baseball and kickboxing the latter came to be a strong foundation in his wrestling style often referred to as shoot style 2 Kobayashi made his professional wrestling debut on May 24 2000 against future ally and rival Naomichi Marufuji in All Japan Pro Wrestling AJPW to compete in their junior heavyweight division He did not remain in the company long as Mitsuharu Misawa acting president of AJPW decided to leave the company following a dispute leading to Misawa forming his own company Pro Wrestling Noah 9 Pro Wrestling Noah Edit Early appearances and Burning 2000 2003 Edit See also Burning professional wrestling One of Misawa s focuses in his new promotion was the junior heavyweight division which never was treated with high regard in AJPW despite the successes in other promotions Being sidelined with injuries for the majority of Noah s first year of operation Kobayashi made his return in July 2001 simply named Kenta 9 Kenta s first involvement in a championship situation came when Naomichi Marufuji was forced to vacate the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship after suffering a knee injury 10 Kenta entered into the tournament held to determine a new champion He advanced to the finals by defeating Kotaro Suzuki and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi before losing to Yoshinobu Kanemaru on the Navigation with Breeze Tour in June 2002 11 Following his relative success in the tournament Kenta had an increase in his popularity and he joined his mentor Kenta Kobashi in the faction Burning 12 Junior Heavyweight Championship success 2003 2011 Edit March 1 2003 saw Kenta team with Naomichi Marufuji for the first time against Makoto Hashi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru in a winning effort They began teaming regularly as the two entered into a tournament to christen the first GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions during the company s Accomplish Our Third Navigation tour they went to win the tournament by defeating junior heavyweight veterans Jyushin Thunder Liger and Takehiro Murahama in the finals on July 16 13 While defending the tag team title Kenta continued his venture in hopes of winning the GHC Junior Heavyweight title once again on November 30 2003 in an unsuccessful bid against Takashi Sugiura 14 nbsp Kenta far left with Samoa Joe and Katsuhiko NakajimaAs part of a reward for the way Kenta performed he earned himself a trial series of seven matches going into the next year seeing Kenta able to challenge more established stars in an attempt to elevate his status Kenta began his trial series on the First Navigation tour beating Juventud Guerrera This was followed by defeats to Yoshinari Ogawa and Jun Akiyama The final match of the series was a loss against Marufuji in October 9 While the series was taking place Kenta and Marufuji continued defending their title against a number of challengers El Samurai and Ryusuke Taguchi Yoshinari Ogawa and Kotaro Suzuki Suzuki and Ricky Marvin Marvin and Suwa and on Noah s first Tokyo Dome show against Kendo Kashin and Takashi Sugiura Their reign as champions came to an end in June 2005 after almost two years by Kanemaru and Sugiura after the latter pinned Kenta 15 Kenta s first major rivalry in singles competition began in March 2005 following a dispute with SUWA which led to a series of confrontations between the two including a violent match that ended in his opponent getting disqualified for assaulting the referee This led to Kenta getting one more chance to challenge for the Junior Heavyweight title against Yoshinobu Kanemaru at Destiny on July 18 which saw him win the title 16 He made his first defense two months later against Suwa then against Kotaro Suzuki as his alter ego Mushiking Terry Simultaneously Kenta began teaming with Katsuyori Shibata as The Takeover challenging for the GHC Tag Team Championship the heavyweight version of the company s tag team title 17 On March 5 2006 Kenta faced a major challenge in Kenta Kobashi which saw him lose following a Burning Hammer 18 This was followed by a loss of the Junior Heavyweight title on June 4 to Takashi Sugiura This saw Kenta shift his attention to the GHC Heavyweight Championship challenging Naomichi Marufuji losing in a match which won numerous awards and accolades from the wrestling media 18 Kenta spent the majority of his 2007 time in Noah wrestling a variety of tag team and six man tag team matches with protege Taiji Ishimori and Akitoshi Saito as partners He saw most of his success with Ishimori as the two had critically acclaimed matches against a wide variety of competitors including Ring of Honor ROH competitors on loan to the company due to the talent exchange agreement the Global Professional Wrestling Alliance GPWA between ROH and Noah the Briscoe Brothers Davey Richards and Bryan Danielson 19 As Kenta and Ishimori progressed as a unit they entered the first NTV Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Tournament in the finals they beat Marufuji and Kota Ibushi to win the tournament They later challenged the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Dragon Gate wrestlers BxB Hulk and Shingo Takagi in a winning effort before losing them to Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Kotaro Suzuki 20 only to defeat the team to win the second NTV Junior Heavyweight Tag Team League Tournament 21 Following his loss of the tag title Kenta returned to competing in singles competition by defeating Bryan Danielson for his second GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship 22 which led to a match with Marufuji who had won the World Junior Heavyweight Championship to attempt to unify the titles the match ended in a sixty minute draw keeping the titles in the hands of their respective holder while gaining favorable reviews for their efforts by the media with some claiming it to be a Match of the Year 23 Kenta lost the title in February 2009 to rival in their interpromotional rivalry with another member of the GPWA in the Kensuke Office Katsuhiko Nakajima only to win it back in the next month 24 In October Kobayashi was forced to vacate the title after suffering a knee injury which would keep him sidelined for over seven months 25 Kobayashi made his return from injury on June 6 2010 losing to Naomichi Marufuji in a GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship number one contender s match 26 On October 30 2010 Kenta and Atsushi Aoki defeated Roderick Strong and Eddie Edwards in the finals of a tournament to win the 2010 Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League 27 As a result Kenta and Aoki received a shot at the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship but were defeated by the champions New Japan Pro Wrestling representatives Koji Kanemoto and Tiger Mask on November 23 2010 28 On January 29 2011 Kenta turned heel and join the Disobey stable with members Muhammad Yone Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Genba Hirayanagi Kenta would change his look and attitude Then on March 5 he turned on Yone removing him from the group One week later he renamed the stable No Mercy On May 25 Kenta and Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Atsushi Aoki and Kotaro Suzuki of the ANMU stable to win the vacant GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship After months of trying to persuade his mentor Yoshihiro Takayama to join No Mercy on June 26 Takayama turned on his partner Takuma Sano during a tag match against Kenta and Kanemaru and became the fourth member of the group Kenta and Kanemaru would then make it to the finals of the Junior Tag League on July 30 They lost to Atsushi Aoki and Kotaro Suzuki Then on August 18 2011 Kenta and Yoshihiro Takayama won the Noah 2 Day Tag Team Tournament On August 24 Kenta and Kanemaru successfully defended their tag title against Aoki and Suzuki who got the shot due to their victory in the Junior Tag League On September 23 Kenta confronted GHC Heavyweight Champion Go Shiozaki after he defeated Takayama to retain the title Kenta got a number one contender s match with Takashi Sugiura which he won on October 10 Kenta and Kanemaru lost the GHC Junior Heavyweight tag title to Aoki and Suzuki on October 16 Transition to the heavyweight division 2011 2013 Edit At Noah s Halloween show on October 31 2011 Kenta challenged the NJPW team Bad Intentions Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson for the GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Championship with Yoshihiro Takayama The match was set for 2012 but never happened due to injury In November Kenta entered Noah s Global Tag League and developed a new submission move he called Game Over to help him dispatch heavyweights Kenta would make it to the finals on November 20 but would lose to Takeshi Morishima On November 27 he lost to Go Shiozaki in his GHC Heavyweight title shot In December 2011 Kenta tore his ACL again forcing him to undergo another surgery to repair it It was announced that he would be out of action for six to seven months Tokyo Sports named Kenta the 2011 Technical Wrestler of the Year Despite his injury Kenta would stay in Noah and manage No Mercy during his injury On February 14 2012 Kenta recruited Shuhei Taniguchi as the fifth member of No Mercy and change his name to Maybach becoming his mouthpiece and talking for him Kenta made his in ring return on July 22 2012 losing to Naomichi Marufuji On October 8 Kenta and Maybach Taniguchi defeated Magnus and Samoa Joe to win the GHC Tag Team Championship for the first time 29 However they lost the title to Akitoshi Saito and Go Shiozaki just eighteen days later 30 On November 23 Kenta won the 2012 Global League 31 Heavyweight Champion 2013 2014 Edit On January 27 2013 Kenta defeated Takeshi Morishima for the GHC Heavyweight Championship at Great Voyage 2013 32 On February 9 Maybach Taniguchi turned on Kenta and stole his Heavyweight Championship belt 33 The following week Kenta took part in a South American tour with the Alianza Latinoamericana de Lucha Libre AULL promotion during which he won the Torneo Latino Americano de Lucha Libre defeating Super Crazy in the finals 34 35 On March 10 Kenta defeated Maybach Taniguchi for his first successful defense of the GHC Heavyweight Championship 36 On April 28 Kenta and Yoshihiro Takayama defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima and Kensuke Sasaki in the finals to win the 2013 Global Tag League 37 On May 11 Kenta took part in Kenta Kobashi s retirement match at Final Burning in Budokan where he Go Shiozaki Maybach Taniguchi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru were defeated by Kobashi Jun Akiyama Keiji Muto and Kensuke Sasaki 38 The following day Kenta made his second successful defense of the GHC Heavyweight Championship against Takashi Sugiura 39 On June 2 Kenta defeated New Japan Pro Wrestling representative and reigning GHC Tag Team Champion Toru Yano for his third successful title defense 40 Six days later Kenta was pinned by Yano in a GHC Tag Team Championship match where he and Yoshihiro Takayama unsuccessfully challenged Yano and Takashi Iizuka 41 On July 7 Kenta made his fourth successful defense of the GHC Heavyweight Championship against Naomichi Marufuji 42 Kenta s fifth successful title defense took place on August 4 when he defeated Muhammad Yone 43 Next Kenta defended his title against the reigning GHC Tag Team Champions first defeating Shane Haste on September 7 and then Mikey Nicholls on September 16 44 45 On October 5 Kenta defeated Diamond Ring representative Katsuhiko Nakajima for his eighth successful title defense 46 With the win Kenta became the first wrestler to successfully defend the GHC Heavyweight Championship eight times during a calendar year 47 On December 7 Kenta defeated New Japan representative and winner of the 2013 Global League Yuji Nagata for his ninth successful title defense 48 Kenta s near one year long reign ended on January 5 2014 when he lost the title to Takeshi Morishima in his tenth defense 49 On February 3 2014 Kenta and Maybach Taniguchi s long rivalry culminated in a No Disqualification match where Kenta was victorious 50 After Yuji Nagata had defeated Morishima to become the GHC Heavyweight Champion Kenta received the first shot at the new champion but was defeated in the title match on February 22 51 On April 30 Noah held a press conference during which Kenta announced his resignation from the promotion 52 53 54 Kenta wrestled his farewell match on May 17 where he and Naomichi Marufuji defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima and Takashi Sugiura 55 Sporadic returns 2018 2023 Edit While still under WWE contract Kenta made a one off return to Noah under his WWE ring name of Hideo Itami on September 1 2018 losing to Naomichi Marufuji at Marufuji s 20th Anniversary show 56 On January 2 2023 Kenta would make another one night return to team up with Marufuji and challenge Takashi Sugiura and Satoshi Kojima for the GHC Tag Team Championship at New Year 2023 in an unsuccessful effort Ring of Honor 2005 2009 Edit nbsp Kenta at an ROH event September 2008Aside from competing in Pro Wrestling Noah Kenta was able to compete abroad in the United States with other participating members of the GPWA His first appearance in the country was with Ring of Honor at Final Battle 2005 as a fan favorite defending the GHC Junior Heavyweight title against Low Ki 57 He returned to the company the following year for Best in the World in New York City on March 25 where he and Naomichi Marufuji defeated the team of Samoa Joe and ROH World champion Bryan Danielson after Kenta connected with his finishing strike the Go 2 Sleep on Danielson 58 Kenta returned for In Your Face featuring him in a three way match against Joe and Danielson which ended in similar fashion 59 Kenta s first loss in the company came in the form of a tag team match which saw his partner Davey Richards get pinned in a match against the Briscoe Brothers 60 This led to a series of matches with the two against each other as well as reluctant partners 61 62 At Glory by Honor V Night 2 Kenta received another match against Danielson for the ROH World title which saw him submit to Danielson s signature hold the Cattle Mutilation 63 Kenta made his return to Ring of Honor on May 11 of the next year against Delirious in a winning effort 64 Ring of Honor made its pay per view debut with the show Respect is Earned teaming with Nigel McGuinness against Danielson and Takeshi Morishima in a losing effort after which Kenta spent several months with the company competing against rival Davey Richards and his contingency the No Remorse Corps Kenta made his next appearance on the Glory By Honor VI tour the first night had him team with the GHC Heavyweight Champion Mitsuharu Misawa against Takeshi Morishima and Naomichi Marufuji with the match ending in a thirty minute time limit draw 65 The following night Kenta wrestled Misawa for the GHC Heavyweight Championship in a losing effort 65 Kenta made his return in 2009 against ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness in a losing effort at the company s seventh anniversary show He returned a few weeks later to challenge Davey Richards once more as well as make his second pay per view appearance for Take No Prisoners teaming with Tyler Black against Katsuhiko Nakajima and Austin Aries 66 Kobayashi was scheduled to return to ROH in November 2009 but was forced to cancel the appearances after suffering a knee injury 67 WWE Edit NXT 2014 2017 Edit nbsp Itami at WrestleMania Axxess March 2015On January 27 2014 Kenta with Noah s blessing entered WWE s Performance Center in Orlando Florida for a tryout 68 69 In a press release Kenta claimed that he was not after a WWE contract but only wanted to fulfill a dream and take part in a WWE workout 70 On June 27 Tokyo Sports reported that Kenta had signed with WWE 71 72 His signing was officially announced during an in ring segment on July 12 in Osaka Kobayashi relocated to Orlando to resume training at the Performance Center while also working for WWE s developmental territory NXT 73 Kobayashi debuted on September 11 at NXT TakeOver Fatal 4 Way introduced by William Regal where he announced his new ring name Hideo Itami meaning Hero of Pain 74 and fended off The Ascension when they interrupted the segment to confront Regal 75 Itami made his in ring debut at the following day s tapings of NXT defeating Justin Gabriel after which he was attacked by The Ascension 76 77 During the following weeks Itami kept engaging The Ascension in brawls but continually lost due to the numbers disadvantage 78 79 the storyline was that as a newcomer in NXT Itami did not have any friends in the locker room to help him 80 This continued until November when Finn Balor debuted as Itami s new partner 81 After weeks of feuding with The Ascension Itami and Balor defeated them at NXT TakeOver R Evolution on December 11 Itami then participated in an NXT Championship number one contender s tournament defeating Tyler Breeze in the first round starting a feud between the two 82 He suffered his first defeat in NXT on January 15 2015 when he was defeated by Balor in the semi finals thus eliminating him from the tournament 83 At NXT TakeOver Rival Itami defeated Breeze in a rematch They continued to exchange victories over each other until Itami lost a two out of three falls match to Breeze on the April 1 episode of NXT to end the feud 84 On March 27 Itami won the WrestleMania Axxess NXT tournament by defeating Adrian Neville and then Finn Balor to get a spot in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the pre show of WrestleMania 31 85 where he was eliminated by eventual winner Big Show 86 On May 20 at NXT TakeOver Unstoppable Itami was scheduled to face Finn Balor and Tyler Breeze in a triple threat match to determine the number one contender for the NXT Championship however Itami was ruled out due to injury after an attack he suffered before the event started 87 This was made as Itami had suffered a legitimate shoulder injury which required surgery and was expected to sideline him for six months 88 89 In January 2016 it was reported that Itami had suffered complications with his shoulder and was nowhere close to being able to return 90 After over a year of inactivity Itami returned to the ring on June 30 2016 at an NXT live event teaming with TM 61 to defeat Samoa Joe Blake and Tino Sabbatelli in a six man tag team match 91 On August 3 Itami made his televised return defeating Cruiserweight Classic competitor Sean Maluta At NXT TakeOver Brooklyn II Itami confronted Austin Aries following the latter s match with No Way Jose exchanging blows before attacking Aries with a GTS On October 12 at an NXT live event Itami suffered a neck injury after a botched powerslam from Riddick Moss and would not be able to team with Kota Ibushi in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in which he was scheduled to compete In a video announcement published on October 18 Itami vowed to return to in ring competition at NXT s first show in Japan on December 3 92 However at the event Itami did not compete but was instead in an in ring segment alongside William Regal where they talked to the crowd 93 Itami made his televised return on April 19 2017 where he confronted NXT Champion Bobby Roode before slapping him and executing a GTS 94 This led to a match at NXT TakeOver Chicago in which Itami was unsuccessful in winning the title from Roode On the June 7 episode of NXT furious after his loss to Roode Itami faced Oney Lorcan which ended in a no contest after Itami performed three GTSs on Lorcan until Kassius Ohno attempted to save Lorcan teasing a heel turn and a feud between the pair On the July 5 episode of NXT Itami teamed with Ohno in a tag team match against Sanity Killian Dain and Alexander Wolfe but lost after Itami refused to tag in Ohno 95 On the July 26 episode of NXT Itami faced Ohno in the main event which ended after Itami intentionally disqualified himself with a low blow to Ohno before viciously attacking and laying him out after two GTSs followed by a third onto the steel steps cementing his heel turn 96 On the August 2 edition of NXT Itami cut an in ring promo demanding respect from the fans He was interrupted by Aleister Black who was scheduled to face Kyle O Reilly in the night s main event After a stare down between the two Black hit Itami with Black Mass 97 Itami attempted to assault Black following the event but the two were separated by fellow talent 98 At NXT TakeOver Brooklyn III Itami was defeated by Black 99 In his last NXT match Itami defeated Fabian Aichner at a live event on December 16 205 Live and departure 2017 2019 Edit nbsp Itami in April 2018On November 21 2017 it was announced that Itami would be moving to the main roster as part of the cruiserweight division on 205 Live 100 On the December 18 episode of Raw Itami would make his main roster debut aiding Finn Balor to fend off and face Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas in a tag team match which Itami and Balor would win turning face in the process On the December 25 episode of Raw Itami would defeat The Brian Kendrick in which Kendrick would suffer an injury following a Go to Sleep by Itami This would lead to Itami entering a short feud with Kendrick s tag team partner Gentleman Jack Gallagher On the February 6 episode of 205 Live Itami would be defeated by Roderick Strong in the first round of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship tournament During the following month Itami would have a feud with fellow Japanese wrestler Akira Tozawa Mustafa Ali and was involved into the orbit for Cedric Alexander s Cruiserweight Championship He participated in a fatal four way match involving cruiserweight champion Buddy Murphy Kalisto and Tozawa at the Royal Rumble where he lost after being pinned by Murphy 101 On January 29 it was reported that Itami requested and was granted his release from the company after a five year run 102 103 This was followed by multiple members of the roster saying goodbye to Itami on social media 104 On February 4 2019 the WWE Performance Center YouTube channel that documents the Superstars travel and backstage life released a video chronicling Itami s last week in WWE The video features Itami working with Daivari and talking about his struggles with learning to speak and understand English The end of the video sees Hideo walking back to gorilla position and being given a standing ovation from those in the backstage area 105 On February 22 Kobayashi was officially released by WWE as the company formally acknowledged his departure on Twitter 106 In 2020 when he was working with NJPW Kenta said that his time with WWE were the most frustrating days of my life 107 New Japan Pro Wrestling 2019 present Edit Bullet Club and NEVER Openweight Champion 2019 2020 Edit Main article Bullet Club nbsp Kenta as the NEVER Openweight Champion in December 2019Kenta made his surprise debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling NJPW on June 9 2019 at the Dominion 6 9 in Osaka jo Hall event as a face with Katsuyori Shibata as his manager announcing his participation in the 2019 G1 Climax tournament 108 Kenta made his in ring debut for NJPW on July 6 defeating Kota Ibushi as a part of the tournament 109 Kenta competing in the A Block of the tournament stayed undefeated in singles matches for over a month and a half defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi 110 Lance Archer 111 and Evil 112 before suffering his first defeat against IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada on July 27 as part of the tournament 113 Kenta would then lose his next four matches against Sanada 114 Bad Luck Fale 115 Will Ospreay 116 and Zack Sabre Jr failing to win the tournament with a final tally of 8 points four wins and five losses 117 118 On the final night of the tournament Kenta competed in a six man tag team match alongside Chaos members Tomohiro Ishii and Yoshi Hashi against Bullet Club s Bad Luck Fale Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa only to turn on them in the closing moments of the match and assisting the Bullet Club for the victory turning heel As Kenta was going to explain his actions Katsuyori Shibata rushed into the ring and attacked Kenta until the rest of the Bullet Club members ambushed Shibata 119 At Royal Quest on August 31 Kenta defeated Ishii to win the NEVER Openweight Championship his first championship in NJPW 120 The match was criticized because Kobayashi suffered a concussion after a back suplex by Ishii getting knocked out in the process However both continued the match without referee stoppage 121 He was sent to the hospital after the show 122 At Destruction in Kagoshima on September 16 Kenta returned and unsuccessfully faced Kota Ibushi for the Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Championship challenge rights certificate 123 At Power Struggle on November 3 Kenta retained his title against Ishii in a rematch Later in the night he attacked Hirooki Goto 124 Kenta lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Goto at Wrestle Kingdom 14 on January 5 2020 ending his reign at 127 days with two successful defenses 125 Later that night Kenta attacked Tetsuya Naito after his main event match with Kazuchika Okada Kenta would challenge Naito for both the IWGP Intercontinental and IWGP Heavyweight Championships at The New Beginning in Osaka where he was defeated 126 United States Heavyweight Champion 2020 2022 Edit In August Kenta competed in the inaugural New Japan Cup USA tournament with the winner receiving a match for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Kenta defeated Karl Fredericks in the first round Jeff Cobb in the semi finals and David Finlay in the finals to win the tournament 127 128 129 Kenta then competed in the 2020 G1 Climax in the B Block but failed to win with a final score of 10 points 130 At Power Struggle on November 7 Kenta successfully retained his Right to Challenge contract for the United States Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi 131 He was then due to defend the contract against Juice Robinson at Wrestle Kingdom 15 132 but Robinson suffered an injury and Satoshi Kojima was named as his replacement 133 At the event on January 4 2021 Kenta defeated Kojima to retain the Right to Challenge contract 134 On the January 29 episode of Strong Kenta was attacked by United States Champion Jon Moxley 135 It was then announced that Kenta would receive his championship shot against Moxley at The New Beginning USA on February 26 where he was defeated 136 In March Kenta competed in the New Japan Cup defeating Juice Robinson and Minoru Suzuki but losing to Shingo Takagi in the quarter finals 137 In July at Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome Kenta competed in the New Japan Ranbo for the provisional KOPW Championship but the match was won by Bullet Club stablemate Chase Owens 138 Two months later Kenta competed in the G1 Climax 31 tournament where he competed in the A Block 139 Kenta finished the tournament with a total of 12 points finishing joint 3rd in the block failing to advance to the finals 140 At Power Struggle Kenta defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship 141 He would lose the title back to Tanahashi three months later on Night 2 of Wrestle Kingdom 16 in a No disqualification match where in the match Kenta was bloodily injured 142 143 After his recovery Kenta was announced to be a part of the G1 Climax 32 tournament in July where he would compete in the C Block 144 He finished with 6 points failing to advance to the semi finals 145 In October Kenta competed in a tournament to crown the first ever NJPW World Television Champion defeating Hirooki Goto in the first round 146 In the following round Kenta was defeated by Sanada 147 Strong Openweight Champion 2022 present Edit In November Kenta returned to Strong defeating Bad Dude Tito in his return match 148 The following month Kenta won a battle royal to become the number one contender for the Strong Openweight Championship 149 Kenta returned to Japan at Wrestle Kingdom 17 competing in the New Japan Ranbo but failed to last till the final 4 150 Back in the US Kenta received his championship match for the Strong Openweight Championship at Battle in the Valley where he defeated Fred Rosser to win the championship 151 Kenta returned to Japan to compete in the 2023 New Japan Cup receiving a bye to the second round where he was defeated by Sanada 152 Later that month Kenta returned to the US to make his first successful Strong Openweight Championship defense at Multiverse United defeating Minoru Suzuki 153 The following month Kenta defended the title against Eddie Edwards at Capital Collision 154 In May at Wrestling Dontaku Kenta lost the Strong Openweight Championship to former Bullet Club stablemate Hikuleo ending his reign at 74 days 155 Despite this Kenta regained the championship 18 days later defeating Hikuleo at Resurgence 156 On July 5 s night 2 of Independence Day Kenta lost the Strong Openweight Championship to Eddie Kingston ending his reign at 45 days 157 Later in the month Kenta entered the 2023 G1 Climax tournament competing in the B Block 158 Kenta finished the tournament with 6 points therefore failing to advance to the quarterfinals 159 All Elite Wrestling 2021 Edit Kenta made a surprise appearance for All Elite Wrestling AEW at the Beach Break event on February 3 2021 attacking Jon Moxley 160 He wrestled his debut match for AEW on the February 10 episode of Dynamite where he teamed with Kenny Omega to defeat Moxley and Lance Archer in a Falls Count Anywhere tag team match 161 Impact Wrestling 2023 Edit Kenta would make his Impact debut at No Surrender on February 24 teaming with fellow Bullet Club members Chris Bey and Ace Austin as they would beat Time Machine Alex Shelley Chris Sabin and Kushida in a six man tag team match On the following episode of Impact Wrestling he would face Josh Alexander for the Impact World Championship in a losing effort Professional wrestling style and persona EditAfter his release from WWE in 2019 he joined NJPW five months later Kenta was labelled as an outsider by many New Japan fans due to his long time association with Pro Wrestling Noah He would embrace the hatred even joining the Bullet Club and adopted the nickname Shijō Saiaku no Rannyu sha The Worst Intruder Ever As a former kickboxer Kenta incorporates shoot style kicks and stiff strikes He is the inventor of the Go 2 Sleep in which he carries his opponent in a fireman s carry before dropping them forward while lifting his left knee onto their face He also uses a backbreaker rack version called Ura Go 2 Sleep Championships and accomplishments EditAlianza Latinoamericana de Lucha Libre Torneo Latino Americano de Lucha Libre 2013 162 DEFY Wrestling DEFY World Championship 1 time current 163 New Japan Pro Wrestling IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship 1 time 164 NEVER Openweight Championship 1 time 165 166 New Japan Cup USA 2020 167 Strong Openweight Championship 2 times STRONG Survivor 2023 168 169 170 Nikkan Sports Match of The Year Award 2006 vs Naomichi Marufuji on October 29 171 Match of The Year Award 2008 vs Naomichi Marufuji on October 25 172 Technique Award 2006 2007 171 173 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Ranked No 22 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2013 174 Pro Wrestling Noah GHC Heavyweight Championship 1 time 175 GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship 3 times 176 GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship 3 times with Naomichi Marufuji 1 Taiji Ishimori 1 and Yoshinobu Kanemaru 1 177 GHC Tag Team Championship 1 time with Maybach Taniguchi 178 Two Days Tag Tournament 2011 with Yoshihiro Takayama 179 Differ Cup 2005 with Naomichi Marufuji 180 Global League 2012 181 Global Tag League 2013 with Yoshihiro Takayama 182 Matsumoto Day Clinic Cup Contention Heavyweight Battle Royal 2013 183 184 One Day Six Man Tag Team Tournament 2002 with Kenta Kobashi and Kentaro Shiga 185 186 Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League 2007 2008 2010 with Taiji Ishimori 2007 2008 and Atsushi Aoki 2010 187 188 189 Global Tag League Fighting Spirit Award 2014 with Yoshihiro Takayama 190 Tokyo Sports Best Tag Team Award 2003 with Naomichi Marufuji 191 Match of the Year Award 2006 vs Naomichi Marufuji October 29 2006 191 Outstanding Performance Award 2013 192 Technique Award 2011 193 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Wrestling Maneuver 2006 2007 Go 2 Sleep 194 Tag Team of the Year 2003 2004 with Naomichi Marufuji 194 WWE Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Qualifying Tournament 2015 195 References Edit a b c d Kenta Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2014 02 23 Retrieved 2014 08 07 a b Kenta Pro Wrestling Noah USA Archived from the original on January 5 2013 Retrieved 2009 07 20 a b Hideo Itami WWE Retrieved 2014 12 13 a b c d KENTA Profile New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved January 5 2020 KENTA Puroresu Central Retrieved January 5 2020 a b c Podgorski Alexander March 3 2019 Hideo Itami in WWE how did it all go so wrong Slam Sports Canadian Online Explorer Archived from the original on June 2 2019 Retrieved January 5 2020 Global Professional Wrestling Alliance Pro Wrestling Zero1 2006 09 12 Archived from the original on 2009 09 04 Retrieved 2009 06 08 Global Honored Crown Junior Heavyweight Championship Pro Wrestling Noah Archived from the original on 2009 08 31 Retrieved 2009 07 20 a b c Chronicle History Pro Wrestling Noah 2000 08 05 Archived from the original on 2013 10 24 Retrieved 2009 07 20 Noah Encountering Navigation 2002 tour results Green Destiny Archived from the original on 2007 11 21 Retrieved 2007 10 27 Noah Navigation with Breeze tour results Green Destiny Archived from the original on 2007 09 29 Retrieved 2007 10 27 2002年10月 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on February 18 2004 Retrieved May 1 2013 Noah Accomplish Our Third Navigation tour results Green Destiny Archived from the original on 2008 02 18 Retrieved 2007 08 31 KENTA vs Takashi Sugiura lt lt Matches lt lt CAGEMATCH The Internet Wrestling Database Cagematch net Retrieved January 5 2020 NOAH Navigation with Breeze tour results Green Destiny Archived from the original on 2007 09 26 Retrieved 2007 08 31 Destiny 2005 Results ProWrestlingHistory com Wilson Kevin Katsuyori Shibata Puroresu Central Retrieved 2009 07 21 a b Wilson Kevin Kenta Puroresu Central Retrieved 2009 07 21 ROH matches wrestled by KENTA Cagematch net Retrieved January 5 2020 GHC Jr Heavyweight Tag Team Champion Pro Wrestling Noah Archived from the original on 2009 08 02 Retrieved 2009 07 23 Pro Wrestling Noah Misc Tournaments Pro Wrestling History Retrieved 2009 07 23 Woodward Hamish 2022 12 30 Every Bryan Danielson vs KENTA Match From ROH NOAH Ranked Retrieved 2023 01 08 Wilson Kevin 2008 Puroresu Awards Puroresu Central Retrieved 2009 07 23 Wilson Kevin GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship Retrieved 2009 07 23 Csonka Larry 2009 10 29 Kenta Injury Update 411Mania Retrieved 2009 11 10 2010 results Noah USA Archived from the original on 2010 06 18 Retrieved 2010 06 07 Results from 10 30 Korakuen Hall Show Noah USA Archived from the original on 2010 11 03 Retrieved 2010 10 31 Results New Japan 11 23 10 amp Kanemoto and Tiger retain GHC Jr Tag Title Strong Style Spirit 2010 11 23 Retrieved 2010 11 23 ザ リーヴ presents Great Voyage 2012 in Yokohama vol 2 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2012 09 20 Retrieved 2012 10 08 新潟市体育館 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2017 08 25 Retrieved 2012 10 26 グローバル リーグ戦2012 最終戦 11月23日 祝 金 後楽園ホール大会 試合後コメント Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Retrieved 2012 11 23 2013年1月27日 日 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2013 10 17 Retrieved 2013 01 28 マイバッハがKentaに造反しChaosと合体 ２ ９ノア後楽園大会 Sports Navi in Japanese Yahoo 2013 02 10 Archived from the original on 2013 04 13 Retrieved 2013 02 09 Kenta 1er Campeon del Torneo Latino Americano 2013 Alianza Latinoamericana de Lucha Libre in Spanish 2013 02 18 Archived from the original on 2013 08 07 Retrieved 2013 02 19 Torneo Latino Americano de Lucha Libre 2月13日 水 一回戦試合結果 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese 2013 02 16 Retrieved 2013 02 19 2013年3月10日 日 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2013 03 08 Retrieved 2013 03 10 2013年4月28日 日 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2013 04 20 Retrieved 2013 04 28 2013年5月11日 土 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2013 04 20 Retrieved 2013 05 11 2013年5月12日 日 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2013 06 06 Retrieved 2013 05 12 Kentaが３度目の王座防衛 ノア Nikkan Sports in Japanese 2013 06 03 Retrieved 2013 06 02 2013年6月8日 土 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2013 06 11 Retrieved 2013 06 08 2013年7月7日 日 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2013 12 17 Retrieved 2013 07 07 2013年8月4日 日 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2013 08 05 Retrieved 2013 08 04 2013年9月7日 土 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2013 09 23 Retrieved 2013 09 16 2013年9月16日 月 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2013 10 13 Retrieved 2013 09 16 2013年10月5日 土 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2013 10 06 Retrieved 2013 10 05 Kenta８度目防衛 新 絶対王者だ in Japanese Yahoo 2013 10 06 Archived from the original on 2013 12 13 Retrieved 2013 10 06 Great Voyage 2013 in Tokyo vol 2 田上明引退記念大会 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2013 12 14 Retrieved 2013 12 07 New Year Navig 2014 新春ノア初め Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2014 01 06 Retrieved 2014 01 05 Monday Noah Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2014 02 08 Retrieved 2014 02 03 The Second Navig 2014 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2014 03 01 Retrieved 2014 02 22 Kenta選手退団に関するご報告 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese 2014 04 30 Retrieved 2014 04 30 ノアのエースKenta退団 挑戦したい Nikkan Sports in Japanese 2014 04 30 Retrieved 2014 04 30 Johnson Mike 2014 04 30 Top Japanese star to WWE Pro Wrestling Insider Retrieved 2014 04 30 Navig with Breeze 2014 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese Archived from the original on 2014 05 17 Retrieved 2014 05 17 NOAH Naomichi Marufuji 20th Anniversary Show Flight Events Database CAGEMATCH The Internet Wrestling Database www cagematch net Ring of Honor Official results Ring of Honor 2006 12 17 Archived from the original on 2013 03 22 Retrieved 2012 04 07 Kenta defeated Low Ki to retain the GHC Jr Heavyweight Championship Ring of Honor Official results 2007 03 25 Archived from the original on 2013 03 22 Retrieved 2012 04 07 Kenta amp Naomichi Marufuji defeated Bryan Danielson amp Samoa Joe Ring of Honor Official results Ring of Honor 2007 03 17 Archived from the original on 2013 03 22 Retrieved 2012 04 07 Kenta won a non title three way match over Samoa Joe amp Bryan Danielson after he pinned Danielson Ring of Honor Official results Ring of Honor 2007 08 04 Archived from the original on 2013 03 22 Retrieved 2012 04 07 Jay amp Mark Briscoe beat Kenta amp Davey Richards Ring of Honor Official results Ring of Honor 2007 08 05 Archived from the original on 2013 03 22 Retrieved 2012 04 07 Kenta beat Davey Richards Ring of Honor Official results Ring of Honor 2007 11 03 Archived from the original on 2013 03 22 Retrieved 2012 04 07 Austin Aries amp Roderick Strong defeated Kenta and Davey Richards when Aries pinned Richards 2006 Ring of Honor Official results Ring of Honor 2007 09 16 Archived from the original on 2015 04 18 Retrieved 2016 04 17 Bryan Danielson defeated Kenta to retain the ROH World Title Ring of Honor Official results Ring of Honor 2008 05 11 Archived from the original on 2013 03 22 Retrieved 2012 04 07 Kenta defeated Delirious a b 2007 Ring of Honor Results Ring of Honor Archived from the original on 2017 10 05 Retrieved 2009 07 23 Multi Time GHC Champion Makes His ROH Return 2009 02 25 Archived from the original on 2018 06 28 Retrieved 2009 02 25 Roughly 16 months since the last time he competed inside an ROH ring 2 Time GHC Jr amp 2 Time GHC Jr Tag Champion Kenta returned from retirement to ROH competition for four upcoming events Elizabeth PA on March 20th NYC on March 21 and Houston TX on April 3rd amp 4th Kenta Out For November Ring of Honor 2009 10 30 Archived from the original on January 13 2010 Retrieved 2009 11 10 Johnson Mike 2014 01 28 International star at the WWE Performance Center Pro Wrestling Insider Retrieved 2014 01 28 KentaのWWE挑戦 ノア社長容認 Daily Sports Online in Japanese 2014 01 30 Retrieved 2014 01 31 Johnson Mike 2014 01 31 Kenta discusses why he was at the WWE Performance Center Pro Wrestling Insider Retrieved 2014 01 31 Kenta WWE入団内定 Tokyo Sports in Japanese 2014 06 28 Archived from the original on 2014 07 14 Retrieved 2014 06 28 Johnson Mike 2014 06 28 Big WWE signing to be announced next month Pro Wrestling Insider Retrieved 2014 06 28 WWE signs Japanese star Kenta to NXT WWE 2014 07 12 Retrieved 2014 07 12 Saxton Byron 2014 10 09 From gratitude to the griddle Hideo Itami on NXT IHOP and adjusting to life in America WWE Retrieved 2014 11 03 Howell Nolan 2014 09 11 Neville shocks defies odds at NXT Takeover Fatal 4 Way Slam Sports Canadian Online Explorer Retrieved 2014 09 12 Twiss Andrew 2014 09 13 The former Kenta makes his official in ring debut and more WWE NXT TV spoilers from Full Sail Live Pro Wrestling Insider Retrieved 2014 09 13 Howell Nolan 2014 09 18 NXT O Neil and Kidd upset Zayn and Neville Slam Sports Canadian Online Explorer Retrieved 2014 09 19 James Justin 2014 10 24 James s WWE NXT report 10 23 Neville defends NXT Title against Titus O Neil Tyler Breeze Ascension more Overall Reax Pro Wrestling Torch Retrieved 2014 11 03 Howell Nolan 2014 10 30 NXT Zayn topples Titus in rematch Slam Sports Canadian Online Explorer Retrieved 2014 11 03 James Justin 2014 10 02 James s WWE NXT results 10 2 Week 120 Neville defends NXT Title Charlotte defends Women s Title Itami Overall Reax Pro Wrestling Torch Retrieved 2014 11 03 Trionfo Richard 2014 11 06 WWE NXT report Finn ally Itami gets some revenge NXT title match set for next week Breeze vs Zayn and more Pro Wrestling Insider Retrieved 2014 11 06 Caldwell James 2014 12 11 Caldwell s WWE NXT Takeover results 12 11 Complete virtual time coverage of Neville vs Zayn for the NXT Title Itami amp Balor Charlotte Kevin Steen Owens s debut Corey Graves retires Pro Wrestling Torch Retrieved 2014 12 11 Parry Josh 2015 01 15 NXT news Next live special announced full spoiler Results from Thursday s NXT TV tapings Pro Wrestling Torch Retrieved 2015 01 16 James Justin 2015 02 11 WWE NXT Takeover report 2 11 Zayn vs Owens NXT Title match Women s Title semi main event Neville Balor Reax Pro Wrestling Torch Retrieved 2015 02 17 Melok Bobby NXT Superstar Hideo Itami wins WrestleMania Axxess tournament for a spot in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal WWE Retrieved 2015 03 27 Clapp John 2nd Annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal WWE Retrieved 2015 02 24 James Justin 2015 05 20 James s WWE NXT TakeOver Unstoppable report 5 20 Owens vs Zayn for the NXT Title ends in wild fashion with a major debut plus spectacular NXT Women s Title match more Overall Reax Pro Wrestling Torch Retrieved 2016 03 29 Caldwell James 2015 05 26 NXT news Update on Hideo Itami shoulder surgery Pro Wrestling Torch Retrieved 2016 03 29 Meltzer Dave 2015 05 08 Thurs update Itami injury Uhaa Nation notes AAA World Cup info Web site dinner and live Q amp A show Lawsuts Flair New Japan marathon Steiner New UFC fight Wrestling Observer Newsletter Retrieved 2016 03 29 Meltzer Dave February 1 2016 February 1 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter 2016 Royal Rumble Road to Wrestlemania more Wrestling Observer Newsletter Campbell California 47 ISSN 1083 9593 6 30 WWE NXT Florida Results Hideo Itami Kenta returns from injury in main event Austin Aries Almas American Alpha vs Authors Pro Wrestling Torch 2016 06 30 Retrieved 2016 07 01 HIDEO ITAMI OFFICIALLY OUT OF THE 2016 DUSTY CLASSIC Figure Four Wrestling Online 13 October 2016 Retrieved 21 October 2016 NXT OSAKA JAPAN LIVE RESULTS NAKAMURA WINS THE TITLE IN HIS HOME COUNTRY Figure Four Wrestling Online 3 December 2016 Retrieved 20 December 2016 NXT results April 19 2017 Dillinger ends NXT chapter on high note in Cage Match finale WWE Retrieved 20 April 2017 WWE NXT Results 7 5 17 Roode vs Strong for the NXT Title WrestleView 6 July 2017 Retrieved 20 July 2017 WWE NXT Results 7 26 17 Kassius Ohno vs Hideo Itami headlines WrestleView 27 July 2017 Retrieved 28 July 2017 NXT results Aug 2 2017 Aleister Black remains undefeated after epic clash against debuting Kyle O Reilly WWE WWE 2 August 2017 Footage shows Hideo Itami trying to jump Aleister Black in the parking lot Exclusive Aug 2 2017 Archived from the original on 2021 12 21 via YouTube NXT Takeover Brooklyn Results Hideo Itami vs Aleister Black Wrestlezone 19 August 2017 Currier Joseph 2017 11 21 Hideo Itami coming to WWE 205 Live soon Wrestling Observer Newsletter Retrieved 2017 11 22 Powell Jason 27 January 2019 WWE Royal Rumble 2019 Kickoff Show live review Rusev vs Shinsuke Nakamura for the U S Championship Buddy Murphy vs Hideo Itami vs Kalisto vs Akira Tozawa for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship Pro Wrestling Dot Net Retrieved January 27 2019 Solowrestling 30 January 2019 Hideo Itami pide a WWE su liberacion de contrato www solowrestling com AM Phillip Martinez On 1 30 19 at 11 43 30 January 2019 Hideo Itami reportedly asked and was granted his release from WWE Newsweek Lambert Jeremy January 30 2019 Wrestlers React To Hideo Itami Reportedly Leaving WWE Fightful Retrieved February 17 2019 Thompson Andrew February 4 2019 205 Live Roster Puts Together A Video About Hideo Itami s Last Week In WWE Fightful Retrieved February 17 2019 WWE 2019 02 22 WWE has come to terms on the release of Kenta Kobayashi Hideo Itami WWE Retrieved 2019 02 22 Q amp A NJPW s Kenta Reflects on Humiliation of His Time in WWE Sports Illustrated 21 August 2020 Meltzer Dave June 17 2019 Observer Newsletter Scary incidents in the ring NJPW Dominion review f4wonline com Retrieved June 17 2019 2019 07 06 G1 CLIMAX 29 Night 1 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved July 23 2019 2019 07 14 G1 CLIMAX 29 Night 3 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved 2019 07 22 2019 07 18 G1 CLIMAX 29 Night 5 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved 2019 07 22 2019 07 20 G1 CLIMAX 29 Night 7 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved 2019 07 22 2019 07 27 G1 CLIMAX 29 Night 9 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved July 27 2019 2019 07 30 G1 CLIMAX 29 Night 11 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved July 30 2019 2019 08 03 G1 CLIMAX 29 Night 13 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved August 12 2019 2019 08 07 G1 CLIMAX 29 Night 15 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved August 12 2019 2019 08 10 G1 CLIMAX 29 Night 17 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved August 12 2019 Crosby Jack August 12 2019 NJPW G1 Climax 29 results winner Kota Ibushi tops Jay White in epic 2019 finals match CBSSports com CBS Interactive Retrieved August 15 2019 2019 08 12 G1 CLIMAX 29 Night 19 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved August 12 2019 NJPW Royal Quest New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved August 22 2019 NJPW Let KENTA Finish A Match Despite Being Obviously Concussed deadspin com 3 September 2019 Update on KENTA Following Post NJPW Royal Quest Hospitalization 411Mania 2019 09 16 Destruction in Kagoshima New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved September 24 2019 NJPW Power Struggle 2019 Fightful Retrieved 27 October 2019 2020 01 05 WRESTLE KINGDOM in TOKYO DOME Night 2 New Japan Pro Wrestling January 5 2020 Retrieved January 5 2020 NJPW 2020 02 09 THE NEW BEGINNING in OSAKA NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING NJPW Retrieved 2020 06 26 2020 08 07 NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 in the USA New Japan Pro Wrestling Bushiroad August 7 2020 Retrieved August 11 2020 2020 08 14 NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 in the USA New Japan Pro Wrestling Bushiroad August 7 2020 Retrieved August 11 2020 2020 08 21 NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 in the USA New Japan Pro Wrestling Bushiroad August 7 2020 Retrieved August 11 2020 G1 CLIMAX 30 Score Sheet NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved October 21 2020 2020 11 07 POWER STRUGGLE NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved November 7 2020 Lambert Jeremy December 23 2020 KENTA Accepts Juice Robinson s Challenge For Wrestle Kingdom 15 Fightful Retrieved December 24 2020 Rose Bryan December 23 2020 NJPW CONFIRMS KENTA VS SATOSHI KOJIMA FOR WRESTLE KINGDOM 15 F4WOnline Wrestling Observer Newsletter Retrieved December 24 2020 Powell Jason January 4 2021 1 4 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 results Powell s review of Tetsuya Naito vs Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships Kazuchika Okada vs Will Ospreay Hiromu Takahashi vs El Phantasmo for a shot at the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship Pro Wrestling Dot Net Retrieved January 4 2021 Defelice Robert January 29 2021 Jon Moxley Returns To NJPW During NJPW Strong Road To Lion s Break Contender Fightful Retrieved January 31 2021 Guzzo Gisberto January 30 2021 Jon Moxley To Defend IWGP United States Championship Vs KENTA At NJPW New Beginning USA Fightful Retrieved January 31 2021 New Japan Cup night 11 results Shingo Takagi vs KENTA Won F4W Wwe News Pro Wrestling News Wwe Results Aew News Aew Results 16 March 2021 NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome live results IWGP title match Won F4W Wwe News Pro Wrestling News Wwe Results Aew News Aew Results 25 July 2021 G1 CLIMAX 31 Entrants announced G131 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING NJPW G1 Climax 31 Final Set 19 October 2021 Woodward Hamish 2021 11 08 KENTA pins Hiroshi Tanahashi to win IWGP US Championship Atletifo Sports Retrieved 2021 11 09 1 5 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16 results Kazuchika Okada vs Will Ospreay for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Kenta vs Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP U S Championship Tetsuya Naito vs Jeff Cobb Mayu Iwatani and Starlight Kid vs Saya Kamitani and Tam Nakano Sanada vs Great O Khan 5 January 2022 KENTA Suffers Gruesome Injury at Wrestle Kingdom 16 PHOTO 5 January 2022 Field announced for NJPW G1 Climax 32 12 June 2022 NJPW G1 Climax 32 block winners determined semifinals set Won F4W Wwe News Pro Wrestling News Wwe Results Aew News Aew Results 16 August 2022 NJPW Battle Autumn Results 10 16 SANADA vs Taichi KENTA vs Hirooki Goto Fightful News NJPW Battle Autumn 2022 Results SANADA Defeats KENTA to Advance in NJPW World Television Championship Tournament 10 30 30 October 2022 NJPW Strong Detonation 2022 Results NJPW PPV Events NJPW Strong 11 December 2022 Results 12 December 2022 2023 01 04 WRESTLE KINGDOM 17 in TOKYO DOME NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING 2023 02 18 BATTLE IN THE VALLEY Cheering event NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING NJPW Results New Japan Cup 2023 Day 4 Nagoya Japan 3 11 12 March 2023 Multiverse United Only the STRONG Survive 2023 Full Results IMPACT Wrestling 4 15 NJPW Capital Collision results McGuire s in person report on Motor City Machine Guns vs Aussie Open vs Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada in a three way for the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Titles Kenta vs Eddie Edwards for the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship Hiromu Takahashi and Tetsuya Naito vs Sanada and Yoshinobu Kanemaru 16 April 2023 2023 05 03 Wrestling Dontaku 2023 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING NJPW Resurgence live results Strong Women s title tournament Won F4W Wwe News Pro Wrestling News Wwe Results Aew News Aew Results 21 May 2023 Eddie Kingston Wins Gold at NJPW STRONG Independence Day 5 July 2023 NJPW G1 Climax 33 Participants Blocks amp Full Schedule New Japan s G1 Climax 33 quarterfinals are set 9 August 2023 Powell Jason February 3 2021 2 3 AEW Dynamite results Powell s live review of Jon Moxley Pac and Rey Fenix vs Kenny Omega Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson Battle Royal for a shot at the AEW Tag Titles Lance Archer vs Eddie Kingston in a Lumberjack Match Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford wedding Pro Wrestling Dot Net Retrieved February 3 2021 Wilkins Rob February 10 2021 AEW Dynamite 02 10 20 Results Omega and Kenta vs Moxley and Archer Eliminator Tournament and more Fightful com Retrieved February 11 2021 Kreikenbohm Philip February 17 2013 Torneo Latino Americano de Lucha Libre 2013 Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 DEFY Your Nightmare Events Database CAGEMATCH The Internet Wrestling Database www cagematch net Kreikenbohm Philip November 6 2021 IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved November 6 2021 NEVER Openweight Championship History in Japanese New Japan Pro Wrestling Retrieved January 4 2020 Kreikenbohm Philip August 31 2019 NEVER Openweight Championship Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 Kreikenbohm Philip August 21 2020 New Japan Cup USA 2020 Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved January 4 2021 KENTA the STRONGest Survivor NJoA NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING Knipper Justin January 7 2023 NJPW Strong results The first ever Strong Survivor match Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online Archived from the original on January 22 2023 Retrieved March 7 2023 Kreikenbohm Philip December 11 2022 Strong Survivor Tournament CAGEMATCH The Internet Wrestling Database Archived from the original on January 22 2023 Retrieved March 7 2023 a b Nikkan Sports Awards 2006 wrestlingscout February 23 2016 Nikkan Sports Awards 2008 wrestlingscout February 27 2016 Archived from the original on March 28 2020 Retrieved July 30 2018 Nikkan Sports Awards 2007 wrestlingscout February 26 2016 Pro Wrestling Illustrated PWI 500 for 2013 The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved 2013 08 22 Kreikenbohm Philip January 27 2013 GHC Heavyweight Championship Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 Kreikenbohm Philip July 18 2005 GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 Kreikenbohm Philip July 16 2003 GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 Kreikenbohm Philip October 8 2012 GHC Tag Team Championship Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 Kreikenbohm Philip August 18 2011 Two Days Tag Tournament 2011 Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 Kreikenbohm Philip May 8 2005 Differ Cup 2005 Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 Kreikenbohm Philip November 23 2012 Global League 2012 Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 Kreikenbohm Philip April 28 2013 Global Tag League 2013 Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 Results Keeping the Spirit Alive Retrieved 2013 12 19 Kreikenbohm Philip December 15 2013 Matsumoto Day Clinic Cup Contention Heavyweight Battle Royal 2013 Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 Kreikenbohm Philip October 14 2002 One Day Six Man Tag Team Tournament 2002 Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 PUROLOVE com www purolove com Archived from the original on 2016 07 19 Retrieved 2013 03 19 Kreikenbohm Philip July 15 2007 Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League 2007 Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 Kreikenbohm Philip September 6 2008 Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League 2008 Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 Kreikenbohm Philip October 30 2010 Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League 2010 Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 グローバル タッグリーグ戦2014 各賞発表 Pro Wrestling Noah in Japanese 2014 04 28 Retrieved 2014 04 28 a b 東京スポーツ プロレス大賞 Tokyo Sports in Japanese Retrieved 2014 01 20 オカダが2年連続でプロレス大賞MVPを受賞 史上4人目の快挙だが 本人は 当たり前の結果 Battle News in Japanese 2013 12 10 Retrieved 2013 12 09 東京スポーツ プロレス大賞 Tokyo Sports in Japanese Retrieved 2014 01 20 a b Meltzer Dave January 30 2012 Jan 30 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Gigantic year end awards issue best and worst in all categories plus UFC on FX 1 death of Savannah Jack ratings tons and tons of news Wrestling Observer Newsletter Campbell California ISSN 1083 9593 Kreikenbohm Philip March 28 2015 Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal Qualifying Tournament Cagematch The Internet Wrestling Database Retrieved April 1 2021 External links Edit nbsp Media related to Kenta Kobayashi at Wikimedia Commons KENTA on Twitter Kenta Kobayashi at IMDb nbsp Kenta s New Japan Pro Wrestling profile Hideo Itami on WWE com nbsp Kenta Kobayashi s profile at Cagematch net nbsp Wrestlingdata com nbsp Internet Wrestling Database nbsp Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kenta Kobayashi amp oldid 1172899079, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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