NXT Championship: Bobby Roode vs. Hideo Itami
It seems like such a long time coming for Hideo Itami, a guy with so much conversation about his debut in WWE and NXT. This feud is built on very simple booking. Hideo Itami wins, Hideo Itami hits two GTS on the champion and now they fight in Chicago. As I have mentioned time and time again, this is a bridge to something bigger for Bobby Roode. Hideo Itami has proven to me that he is really good when healthy, but he has not reached a “great” level yet. His personality and characteristics outside of the ring are very average. There needs to be more.
Bobby Roode vs. Hideo Itami is going to be a good bell to bell match, but will it be memorable? The entrance might be the most memorable thing and the outcome would SHOCK me if we saw a championship change here. There is no need for Bobby Roode to lose and drop the title. There is more intrigue and build if he holds it to Brooklyn.
However you look at it, Hideo Itami is slightly below (in main event terms) than guys like Kassius Ohno and Drew McIntyre. I am interested to see if he proves me wrong on Saturday. I hope he does because I am always in favor for some international, main event flavor in NXT.
