NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver - 5 Finishes for Io Shirai vs. Raquel Gonzalez

#4 Io Shirai could win by submission at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver

Will Shirai have to break out a submission in order to beat Gonzalez?

During the entire build of this feud for NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, Io Shirai has proven herself to be fearless. She's shown that during her entire NXT career, but with Raquel Gonzalez, she's walking right into the path of an extremely imposing woman.

Even during a backstage interview during the first hour of NXT, Shirai literally walked up and got into the face of Gonzalez. She isn't scared of anyone and is willing to go into the lion's den just to keep her title.

Yeah. There was no way in hell @shirai_io & @RaquelWWE were going to keep their hands off each other before next Wednesday's Night 1 of #NXTTakeOver: Stand & Deliver! #WWENXT @DakotaKai_WWE pic.twitter.com/Fxl58DqWQx

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) April 1, 2021

When WWE tries to protect larger stars, it has them submit or pass out in a submission rather than get pinned. It's what happened to Nia Jax when she lost to Asuka and Sasha Banks on different occasions.

Shirai doesn't use submissions that much, but she has won before with the Koji Clutch submission. It's very possible she breaks it out to beat Gonzalez at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.

In one of her matches against Candice LeRae, Shirai used the Koji Clutch to pick up a win via submission. Gonzalez has taken some damage in matches but only needs one strike or move to even the playing field. Shirai has a lot of moves in her arsenal, and she might have to resort to submitting the challenger.

If WWE wants to protect Gonzalez by not having her pinned, then Shirai winning by submission at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver is the way to go. A moonsault is impressive and is the way the Genius of the Sky usually finishes off her opponents. But for stars who are bigger and further up the food chain they can kick out of such moves.

It wouldn't mean that Gonzalez would kick out at one. Instead, it just might not finish Gonzalez off the way a moonsault has usually ended matches for Shirai. The whole argument comes down to who is walking out of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver with the title.

If Shirai is slated to retain, she might do so by submitting the imposing Gonzalez. It seems like in order to beat her opponent, the Genius of the Sky might have to dig deep into her bag of tricks. Could we see her do just that at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver? Only time will tell.