Kenta Kobayashi

Kenta Kobayashi

Born 1981-03-12 (age 45) Sōka, Saitama, Japan
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Biography

Kenta Kobayashi (born March 12, 1981), better known by his ring name KENTA, is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He is currently signed to Pro Wrestling NOAH, where he original debuted in 2000 and is a former two-time GHC Heavyweight Champion, three-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion, one-time GHC Tag Team Champion and three-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.

Between 2014 and 2019, he worked for American promotion WWE under the name Hideo Itami. After leaving WWE, he signed with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), becoming a one-time NEVER Openweight Champion, two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion and one-time IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, before returning to NOAH in 2025.

Photos

Known For

ROH: Year Four
ROH: Year Four

2014

as KENTA

WWE WrestleMania 31
WWE WrestleMania 31

2015

as Hideo Itami

ROH: Driven
ROH: Driven

2007

as KENTA

WWE Royal Rumble 2019
WWE Royal Rumble 2019

2019

as Hideo Itami (Preshow)

NJPW Resurgence 2024
NJPW G1 Climax 29: Day 16
NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III
NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III

2017

as Hideo Itami

NXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way
NXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way

2014

as Hideo Itami

NOAH After Mayhem 2026
ROH: Honor Reclaims Boston
NOAH Legacy Rise 2026