NXT ...Hideo Itami? Seriously, guys?

So NXT Takeover was last week while I was out of town, and it was hyped up by it's Fatal Fourway main event, but also to introduce one of it's latest signings to the WWE Proper, KENTA.

KENTA, real name Kenta Kobashi, is an international superstar that has actually been a favorite for top guys to watch or wrestle, like Daniel Bryan or CM Punk. In fact, both men listed out of "respect" for KENTA have actually used his finishing moves in the WWE, including the "Yes Lock," the Running knee, and yes, Punk fans, even the GTS, which believe it or not, was called...the GO TO SLEEP by KENTA.

KENTA was introduced by GM, William Regal as KENTA, who then entered the ring and stated that it was "Dream Come True." I'm directly quoting here. The crowd was into it, and while his broken english was taken lightly by the NXT crowd, a RAW or Smackdown crowd will not be so easy to impress, especially with what came next.

KENTA stated that going forward, as a way to show who inspired him, he would take on the moniker of "Hideo Itami," and the KENTA graphic on the Tron was changed to Hideo Itami, and immediately, the announcers began calling him that.

The Ascension, who had lost earlier in the evening to the Luchas came down and threw Itami out of the ring, but then he jumped back in the ring, cleared house, and the crowd began to see what kind of fire was in this world renowned superstar.

This is one of those moments where if Paul Heyman was booking, the name change would not have happened. Remember how long Bryan Danielson had to wait to show why he was once called, "The Best in the World?" Remember how CM Punk was not rebranded to Punkly Camel Man because it just wasn't right? This was one of those moments, just like Steen, just like Devitt.

I get that WWE wants to own the intellectual property, as they have been burned in the past by Hulk Hogan, Brock Lesnar, and more recently by CM Punk, but come on. This guy has been around for years as KENTA, and changing it now is just plain dumb.

Hell, the WWE has an amazing talent here, but Taka Michinoku was an amazing talent that they put a lightweight title on, and never caught on.

Don't mess this one up, WWE, he's giving you all the tools, it's up to you to put him together.