WWE News: Veteran NXT Superstar teases leaving the company at TV tapings
What's the story?
Add Kassius Ohno to the growing list of superstars who are seemingly on their way out of the company as the 39-year-old teased his departure during the latest WWE NXT TV Tapings.
In case you didn't know...
Ohno, popularly known as Chris Hero, first joined the WWE in 2011 as part of the Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) roster. Ohno continued his stay in WWE's developmental zone when FCW became NXT and was eventually released from the company in 2013.
He got back into the independent wrestling circuit where he had already made a solid name for himself since 2000. Ohno has wrestled for every American indie promotion under the sun and is best remembered for his time in Ring of Honor (ROH), Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), IWA Mid-South Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Guerilla, and Chikara.
Ohno returned to the WWE in 2016 and only been used as an enhancement talent in his renewed 2-year stay with the promotion.
The heart of the matter
During Wednesday's tapings for NXT television, Ohno was part of a segment in which he cut a promo stating his options outside WWE. He said that he intends on going someplace where the fans would appreciate him. The promo was followed by an attack by Keith Lee, who he faced later on in the night.
Ohno predictably lost the match and proceeded to leave the arena through the audience after his loss. This was said to be symbolic of him leaving the company altogether, however, there has been no confirmation regarding the same from the WWE's side.
We can't jump to conclusions until WWE puts out an official statement but as things stand, Ohno's second stint may have well and truly come to an end.
What's next?
Is this all part of a bigger angle or is Ohno actually done with the WWE? With AEW lurking around with big-money contracts, the former Ring Of Honor Tag Team Champion has a good reason to walk away from the biggest promotion in the world.
Hideo Itami and Dean Ambrose have already been confirmed to leave the company and more names could be joining the potentially lengthy list. Ohno would certainly get better opportunities outside the WWE and considering his veteran status, can be an asset to AEW, both as an in-ring performer or as a trainer.