KENTA / Hideo Itami: Profile, Career Stats, Face/Heel Turns, Titles Won & Gimmicks

On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of KENTA / Hideo Itami, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

Kenta Kobayashi (小林健太) was born in Sōka, Saitama, Japan on March 12, 1981, and he is currently 44 years old.

He is currently working for Pro Wrestling NOAH and Major League Wrestling on the Heavyweight brand under the ring name of KENTA, and he is the reigning GHC Heavyweight Champion, holding the title for 43 days.

KENTA is a 2-time World Champion, and has won a total of 15 championships in major promotions during his career.

KENTA / Hideo Itami Profile Index

Profile Info

GenderMale
Real NameKenta Kobayashi (小林健太)
Ring Names
- KENTA (February 23, 2019 - Present)
- Hideo Itami (September 11, 2014 - February 22, 2019)
- KENTA (July 18, 2001 - September 10, 2014)
- Kenta Kobayashi (March 11, 2000 - June 9, 2001)
Born March 12, 1981 (age 44)
NationalityJapan
Birth PlaceSōka, Saitama, Japan
Billed From
- Tokyo, Japan
Height 5 ft 9 in (174 cm)
Weight
- 187 lbs (85 kg)
NicknamesThe International/Japanese Sensation; Black Sun

Career History

Roles
- Wrestler (March 11, 2000 - Present)

Promotions History

Promotion	from	to
PromotionNOAHBrand Heavyweight	December 6, 2024	Present
PromotionMLW	July 12, 2024	Present
PromotionNJPWBrand Heavyweight	June 9, 2019	February 13, 2025
PromotionWWEBrand 205 Live	December 18, 2017	February 22, 2019
PromotionWWEBrand Raw	December 18, 2017	May 29, 2018
PromotionWWEBrand NXT	September 11, 2014	December 17, 2017
PromotionNOAHBrand Heavyweight	October 31, 2011	May 17, 2014
PromotionNOAHBrand Junior Heavyweight	August 5, 2000	October 30, 2011
PromotionROH	December 17, 2005	August 15, 2009
PromotionKOPW	May 10, 2008	March 22, 2009
PromotionAJPWBrand Junior Heavyweight	March 11, 2000	July 20, 2000

Images History

Feb 2024
Jan 2023
Jul 2022
Jun 2019
Dec 2017
Sep 2014
Jan 2011
Jan 2009
Jan 2007
Dec 2005
Mar 2000

Face / Heel Turns

Alignment	from	to
Heel	August 12, 2019	Present
Face	December 18, 2017	August 17, 2019
Heel	July 26, 2017	December 17, 2017
Face	February 9, 2013	July 25, 2017
Heel	January 29, 2011	February 8, 2013
Face	March 11, 2000	January 28, 2011

Finishers
- GTS - Go to Sleep - Fireman's Carry into a Knee Lift (January 1, 2015 - Present)
- Busaiku he no Hizageri / Busaiku Knee Kick - Running Single Leg High Knee (June 9, 2019 - Present)
- Sakura Knee Strike / Go to Sleep '18 - Inverted Facelock into a Three-quarter Facelock Facebreaker Knee Smash (February 6, 2018 - February 22, 2019)
- Shotgun Kick - Running Single Leg Front Dropkick (January 1, 2015 - June 29, 2016)
- Diving Double Foot Stomp (September 11, 2014 - December 31, 2014)
- Spinning Roundhouse Kick to a kneeling opponent (September 11, 2014 - December 31, 2014)
- Go 2 Sleep - Fireman's Carry into a Knee Lift (March 11, 2000 - May 17, 2014)
- Busaiku he no Hizageri / Busaiku Knee Kick - Running Single Leg High Knee (March 11, 2000 - May 17, 2014)
- Game Over - Omoplata Crossface (January 29, 2011 - May 17, 2014)
Theme Songs
- Theme Song"Cicatriz" by Kamixlo - Single (June 9, 2019 - Present)
- Theme Song"Shot 'Em" by [Q]Brick - with Bullet Club - Team (August 12, 2019 - February 13, 2025)
- Theme Song"Tokiwakita (Time Has Come)" by CFO$ - Single (September 11, 2014 - February 22, 2019)
- Theme Song"Rey Misterio Jr. Jam (Instrumental)" by Ill Harmonics - Single (December 17, 2005 - August 15, 2009)
- Theme Song"Enio" by SebastiAn - Single (January 27, 2013 - May 17, 2014)
- Theme Song"What You Know (Instrumental)" by T.I. - Single (October 31, 2011 - January 26, 2013)
- Theme Song"Art & Life" by Twista feat. Young Chris, Memphis Bleek & Freeway - Single (October 29, 2006 - October 30, 2011)
- Theme Song"Where the Hood At?" by DMX - Single (July 18, 2001 - October 28, 2006)
- Theme Song"No Light Theory" by Brahman - Single (August 6, 2000 - July 17, 2001)

Titles & Accomplishments

Pro Wrestling NOAH
- x2 GHC Heavyweight Championship
- x1 GHC Tag Team Championship (with Maybach Taniguchi)
- x3 GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (1 with Naomichi Marufuji, 1 with Taiji Ishimori, 1 with Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
- x3 GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship
New Japan Pro Wrestling
DEFY Wrestling
- 1 DEFY World Championship
Other Accomplishments
- NJPW STRONG Survivor Winner (2023)
- NXT André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Qualifying Tournament Winner (2015)
- PW Noah One Day Six Man Tag Team Tournament Winner (2002 - with Kenta Kobashi & Kentaro Shiga)
- PW Noah Differ Cup Winner (2005)
- PW Noah Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League Winner (2007, 2008 - with Taiji Ishimori; 2010 - with Atsushi Aoki)
- PW Noah 2 Days Tag Tournament Winner (2011 - with Yoshihiro Takayama)
- PW Noah Global League Tournament Winner (2012)
- PW Noah Global Tag League Winner (2013 - with Yoshihiro Takayama)
- PW Noah Matsumoto Day Clinic Cup Contention Heavyweight Battle Royal Winner (2013)
- PW Noah Global Tag League Fighting Spirit Award Winner (2014 - with Yoshihiro Takayama)
- ALL Torneo Latino Americano de Lucha Libre Winner (2013)
- WON Tag Team of the Year (2003, 2004 - with Naomichi Marufuji)
- WON Best Wrestling Maneuver (2006, 2007 - Go 2 Sleep)
- Tokyo Sports Best Tag Team Award (2003 - with Naomichi Marufuji)
- Tokyo Sports Best Bout Award (2006 - vs. Naomichi Marufuji, 29/10)
- Tokyo Sports Technique Award (2011)
- Tokyo Sports Outstanding Performance Award (2013)
- Nikkan Sports Match of The Year Award (2006 - vs. Naomichi Marufuji, 10/29; 2008 - vs. Naomichi Marufuji, 10/25)
- Nikkan Sports Technique Award (2006, 2007)
- 22° in the PWI 500 (2013)