WWE News: Japanese women’s wrestling star Io Shirai introduced as new NXT signee
It was announced at WWE’s Tokyo live event on Saturday that they have signed Japanese wrestling star Io Shirai to a contract. She is going to start in NXT soon. She’s 28 years old and has been wrestling for over a decade.
Here’s more info from WWE.com:
WWE has announced that it has signed Io Shirai, one of the most decorated women’s wrestlers in the world, as its newest Superstar.
The announcement was made at today’s WWE Live Event at Tokyo’s Ryōgoku Sumo Hall, where Shirai was introduced to members of the WWE Universe as the newest signee to WWE NXT.
A ring veteran of more than 10 years, Shirai has accomplished more than virtually anyone in the modern history of Japanese women’s wrestlers. Tokyo Sports, a national daily sports newspaper, named her the country’s top female grappler in each of the past three years.
Boasting an exciting and technical in-ring style that combines speed and force, Shirai is renowned for her devastating strikes and suplexes. Nicknamed the “Genius of the Sky,” Shirai also packs a wide arsenal of high-flying moves, including an eye-popping Asai moonsault.
Shirai most recently competed with Tokyo-based World Wonder Ring Stardom, the same organization where NXT Superstar and inaugural Mae Young Classic winner Kairi Sane first made her name. A fixture of Stardom, Shirai was a multi-time champion there and enjoyed two reigns with the promotion’s top title, the World of Stardom Championship.
What WWE didn’t mention there is that Shirai was offered a WWE deal in early 2017, but it was taken away when medical testing revealed a neck and heart issue. A year later, obviously things are good enough with her health that WWE has decided to sign her.
Here’s the video of Shirai at the live event with a brief promo from her.