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

NOAH: The New Year 2026
NOAH Lethal Odyssey Tour 2026
NOAH Lethal Odyssey Tour 2026
NOAH Thanksgiving 2025
WWE WrestleMania 31
WWE WrestleMania 31

2015

as Hideo Itami

WWE Royal Rumble 2019
WWE Royal Rumble 2019

2019

as Hideo Itami (Preshow)

NOAH Legacy Rise 2026
ROH: Year 5
ROH: Year 5

2015

as KENTA

NOAH Legacy Rise 2026
NJPW Collision in Philadelphia
NJPW New Japan Cup 2021 - Day 3
NOAH Lethal Odyssey Tour 2026
NJPW Sakura Genesis 2021
NOAH After Mayhem 2026
ROH Final Battle 2005