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WWE Announces TJP Has Been Released, Hideo Itami Release Is Now Official

By John Canton • Published 22nd February 2019
TJR Wrestling

There are two more official WWE releases today following the news of Tye Dillinger’s departure becoming official earlier today.

TJP, who started in WWE as TJ Perkins in 2016 as the winner of the Cruiserweight Classic, has been released after WWE issued this statement: “WWE has come to terms on the release of Theodore Perkins (TJP).”

As noted with the Dillinger release, WWE doesn’t appear to be using the “best of luck in future endeavors” line when they release people. I don’t know if that means they don’t wish them the best or it’s simply a decision to not use it. TJP posted this on Twitter.

Perkins won the Cruiserweight Classic in 2016, which led to him becoming the new Cruiserweight Champion and he got a decent push after that. He was a part of 205 Live after that.

According to PWInsider, TJP did not ask for his release.

It was also announced by WWE that Hideo Itami has officially been released with this statement: “WWE has come to terms on the release of Kenta Kobayashi (Hideo Itami).”

The release of Itami is not a surprise because we reported it on January 30, so it’s been nearly four weeks now. I’m not sure why it took so long for WWE to officially announce it, but some contracts are different from others. Itami likely went back home to Japan weeks ago after he requested the release.

TJR Thoughts: I like TJP and Itami, but it’s easy to see why some people are going to want out of WWE when they have about 200 wrestlers under contract when you count developmental. It’s very difficult to keep everybody happy and those that aren’t happy know they have other options. That could mean going to Japan in Itami’s case or exploring different American companies like ROH, Impact or AEW, who appear to be willing to spend money on wrestlers to help grow their brand.

I’m not surprised by WWE releases because the roster is so big. I don’t even know how many people are under deals counting development, but definitely 150+, maybe up to 200. Can’t use everybody. With profits around $100 mil last year, they can afford it easily.

If you think about very successful WWE years like 1998, 1998, 2000 and 2001 before getting WCW, they probably had 50 wrestlers. Maybe less. Watch a Royal Rumble from 93-96 they had to bring in guys just for the Rumble cuz they didn’t have enough bodies. Different times now.

Best of luck to TJP and Itami in whatever they do next.