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When WWE announced Io Shirai as the newest member of its roster, fans who were familiar with her work immediately salivated about the dream matches that are now possible. One of the elite talents in the world regardless of gender, a number of exciting matches await Io Shirai which can take WWE's self-professed women's revolution to a whole new level.
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In NXT, we'll get the benefit of seeing her on big TakeOver stages with a lot of freedom and raucous crowds eating up every stunt she can pull off. On the main roster, with all the glitz and glamor that comes with it (if it tries, that is), there are a number of great workers for Io to cross paths with.
Who should we be most excited to see Io share a ring with? The following names immediately come to mind...
#1 Kairi Sane
This one isn't exactly a dream match since it's been a reality many times when they were both in World Wonder Ring Stardom. However, there's no question that seeing it in NXT will be a treat. It's a feud that should carry the NXT women's division into its next chapter.
While they have their share of strikes and submissions, both Kairi Sane and Io Shirai are most notable for their high-flying arsenals. The clash between them always makes for a spectacle of a contest. That spectacle would only carry over even better on the bigger TakeOver stages.
Additionally, Kairi Sane's natural babyface demeanor would contrast well with Io Shirai's noted mean streak. The two have amazing chemistry together, and the TakeOver format would broadcast it to the world full-stop.
Ultimately, there would be no better NXT swan song for Kairi Sane than a TakeOver match opposite Io Shirai. It would be the natural choice for NXT to put on the night before WrestleMania 35 next April.
#2 Dakota Kai
Like Kairi Sane, Dakota Kai is a natural babyface that's quickly become beloved among the NXT Universe. She seems to be getting the slow burn treatment like Bayley at the moment, and what bigger obstacle could be thrown in her way? If Dakota Kai thought Shayna Baszler was a daunting prospect, how about sharing the ring against one of the best in the world?
The clash between Dakota's strike-centric style and Io's high-flying and high-impact maneuvers would also make for an interesting contest. Io's dodging and weaving has often stunned crowds, and her sheer speed could easily frustrate the "Captain of Team Kick," since she might not be able to actually kick anything.
If Dakota Kai is destined to become NXT Women's Champion, a thrilling win over Io Shirai (who undoubtedly will be), would be the most cathartic option possible.
#3 Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair's name might not immediately spring to mind when thinking of potential dream matches for Io Shirai, but she's getting better every week. She's already impressed in a match with Kairi Sane in last year's Mae Young Classic, and a match with Io Shirai should be even better.
Io Shirai's high-speed, high-flying style would make for an interesting clash against Belair's freakish athleticism. Additionally, one of Shirai's best aspects is her selling ability, and seeing her sell Belair's famous hair whip would make for a memorable sight.
This, far more so than a match against Dakota Kai, is a potential NXT Women's Championship program. If Bianca Belair isn't called up before then, she's on track to become a titleholder, and taking the gold from Io Shirai in her NXT swan song would give her instant credibility.
And it seems that the "EST of NXT" has already thrown down the gauntlet.
#4 Bayley
Bayley's stock has dropped like a rock in the past year, but as we saw this week, there remains potential for fans to get invested in her again. A match with Io Shirai might not be the worst option in the world to make Bayley feel like she matters.
The traditional hugger Bayley would serve as the sympathetic babyface against a heelish and potentially brutal Io. It remains to be seen what kind of match a heel Bayley could put on against Io Shirai, but a story revolving around the former having a chip on her shoulder against the hot new star on the main roster (whenever she gets called up), could work.
Bayley's style isn't the most exciting, but she's a ring general that can always put on a good to great match, with her two matches with Sasha Banks being the obvious examples.
What better way to make Bayley feel like a bigger deal than she's been and give Io Shirai a good start on the main roster?
#5 Sasha Banks
Sasha Banks is a very competitive Superstar by nature, and she's already issued a challenge to WWE's newest superstar. It's been accepted!
Sasha has many detractors, but her record speaks for itself. She can put on a good match with anyone, as can Io. Both women are also known for the bumps they take. Both throw caution to the wind and take all the bumps and bruises they need to in order to put on a dramatic match. On the right stage, there would be several "holy sh---" moments, even with WWE's safer style.
One of Sasha's strengths is that she can adapt to any style against her in quick fashion, and seeing how she would deal with Io Shirai's unique offense is an enticing prospect.
#6 Becky Lynch
If Io Shirai were to end up on the blue brand, a feud with Becky Lynch would be one of the first things that come to mind. Though Becky Lynch's style isn't as death-defying as Sasha Banks', she has an explosive, mostly ground-based offense that would contrast very well with Io Shirai's aerial maneuvers.
The match could be built around whether Lynch could keep Shirai grounded for long enough to lock in the Dis-Arm-Her. This would be a difficult thing to do, because Shirai is so quick on her feet and nimble, while also boasting a strong grappling arsenal herself.
Lynch playing the consummate fiery babyface while Shirai plays a more vicious character would also do much to get the crowd invested in the outcome.
#7 Ember Moon
This is a match that would truly be explosive. Both Io Shirai and Ember Moon have similar acrobatic and aerial styles, and the two of them have arguably the two best suicide dives in the business.
Yes, this would certainly be a "flippy" match that a certain subset of fans hate, but with their similar levels of speed and size, the action would fly all over the place as these two tried to deliver their big moves. Neither woman is afraid of taking nasty bumps, so they'd both put their bodies on the line.
Seeing how Io Shirai would deal with the Eclipse is also a fascinating prospect. Might she come up with some crazy reversal?
#8 Asuka
This was probably the most obvious match people were thinking of after the signing was made official. Asuka (as Kana) and Io Shirai worked together in the early 2010s, but both are far different performers now.
Despite the inevitable comparisons, their styles are very different. Io Shirai is known for her aerial arsenal, while Asuka wrestles a technical style heavy on strikes and submissions. Like Becky Lynch, Asuka would try to keep Io grounded and get her into the Asuka Lock. How Io ducks and weaves while also trying to avoid Asuka's strikes would make for another intriguing aspect of the contest.
This match could also be built as a passing of the torch moment, with Io cementing her place as the top Japanese star in the company, so it would definitely be worth watching.
#9 Charlotte Flair
This is the match that Io herself has said she most wants.
Obviously, both competitors are known for their moonsaults, and that would be a big part of the match. However, another big part would be Charlotte's power and physical superiority against Io Shirai's speed and impact.
Charlotte Flair always puts on dramatic performances on big stages, and Io Shirai's matches are always memorable. This match taking place on a big stage would be a mouthwatering prospect.
#10 Ronda Rousey
Hopefully Ronda Rousey doesn't depart the company anytime soon, and certainly not before this match happens!
I was skeptical about her before, but she's completely won me over, and this is one of the matches I most want to see, male or female. Ronda Rousey has been nothing less than a revelation. Her ring work is electric, sending jolts through all of the thousands of people watching her. Io Shirai has the same qualities, so watching the two of them in a big match would be incredible.
Ronda Rousey would try to throw her opponent to the ground and put her in the armbar. Io Shirai would try to run circles around her opponent and make big, unpredictable attacks.
It would be a can't-miss clash of styles, and this match can't come soon enough!
Who are you excited to see Lo Shirai face off against? Let us know in the comments below!
