Japanese professional Wrestler who has wrestled for the WWE NXT promotion under the ring name Hideo Itami. He was previously a Heavyweight, Junior Heavyweight and Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League Champion with Pro Wrestling Noah.
He was a successful amateur Kickboxer before turning to professional wrestling.
With partner Naomichi Marufuji, he won Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Tag Team of the Year award two straight years in 2003 and 2004.
He was born in Soka, Saitama, Japan. In October 2010 he married singer Mai Mizuki.
He and Yoshi Tatsu are both Japanese Wrestlers who have performed in WWE NXT.
