WWE Star Hideo Itami has been released from the company, according to report from multiple sources.

NXT and 205 Live’s Hideo Itami has reportedly requested his release from WWE, and while PWInsider says they haven’t granted it yet, word is they plan to.

It seems pretty official, in part because of what we’ve seen on social media. Itami changed his handle back to his ringname from Japan & the indies (KENTA, a stylized version of his real name, Kenta Kobayashi). And the men & women he’s traveled with since he was one of Triple H’s first big NXT signees are saying their goodbyes.

On his WWE Release, Rusev made this statement: Thank you Kenta and thank you Dean.

Mostly in the form of replying to what looks like his farewell tweet:

Thank you pic.twitter.com/qyNdhtsS67

— ASUKA / 明日華 (@WWEAsuka) January 30, 2019

Thank you pic.twitter.com/x4PASEbYTU

— Cedric Alexander (@CedricAlexander) January 30, 2019

Thank you Kenta and thank you Dean.

— Rusev (@RusevBUL) January 30, 2019

Eien no shin'yū @HideoItami pic.twitter.com/60e3p9cP7X

— Peyton Royce (@PeytonRoyceWWE) January 30, 2019

Respect ????????@HideoItami

— Mike Kanellis (@RealMikeBennett) January 30, 2019

The #IIconics respect you @HideoItami ???????? pic.twitter.com/FdzrRHWMBO

— Billie Kay (@BillieKayWWE) January 30, 2019

This is bittersweet, because it’s clear at this point that injuries robbed him of a shot at main roster success, and toiling on the cruiserweight show isn’t going to pay him enough to make it worthwhile to be away from his family.

He should be happier, and NOAH will be getting a hell of veteran hand back.

Thanks KENTA. We’ve always respected you.