5 Surprises that could happen at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver – Former NXT Champion returns; Imperium finds a new leader

#2 Zoey Stark costs Io Shirai the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver

"Flawless Execution" @TheBethPhoenix@shirai_io #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/kA4F4PB4ss

— Zoey Stark (@ZoeyStarkWWE) March 27, 2021

The rivalry between Io Shirai and Raquel Gonzalez has turned from good to great on the road to NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. The two superstars will do battle for the NXT Women’s Championship on the first night of TakeOver.

Shirai has been an extremely dominant champion in NXT. Since winning the title, only Gonzalez has pinned her during the WarGames match at TakeOver: WarGames. The Genius of the Sky could finally end up losing the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver.

While the chances of Gonzalez picking up a clean victory are high, WWE could look to protect Shirai with a surprise finish. Instead of Dakota Kai interfering in the match, fans could see Zoey Stark appear and cost Shirai the match.

Stark has had a wonderful first few months in NXT, and the creatives could use her involvement in the storyline well. Stark’s interference could cost Shirai the title without diminishing her value. The angle would allow Shirai to either move to the main roster or get into a rivalry with Stark.

私は死なない。テイクオーバーでも最後にリングに立つのは紫雷イオ。 https://t.co/Q2e2pqgmum

— 紫雷イオ、Io Shirai (@shirai_io) April 1, 2021

On the other hand, Stark could join Gonzalez and Kai to build a lethal women’s faction on the Black & Gold brand.