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2019 was an incredible year for NXT as the show moved from TV tapings to airing live weekly on the USA Network. The brand kept firing on all cylinders as TakeOver specials continued to deliver and NXT even won the battle of brand supremacy at Survivor Series.
While the men's division saw the return of Finn Balor, the Undisputed Era being draped in gold, the highlight of NXT was seeing the evolution of my favorite wrestler Io Shirai.
From teaming with former NXT Women's Champion Kairi Sane to turning heel and being nominated in multiple categories as part of the NXT Year-End Awards, there's no doubt that the sky is the limit for Shirai and a championship reign will likely happen in 2020.
So without further adieu, here are my favorite Shirai matches and moments in 2019.
#1 Candice LeRae vs. Io Shirai at NXT TakeOver: Toronto
NXT has the best women's division and I got to see my favorite wrestler Io Shirai and Candice LeRae steal the show at NXT TakeOver: Toronto. This was incredible to watch live as both Candice LeRae and Io Shirai worked at an incredible pace and had the fans buzzing throughout the match. Shirai's heel entrance was awesome to watch live as she displayed so much charisma and just fit her new character.
There were so many amazing sequences that included LeRae and Shirai trading the German suplex spot. LeRae hit a Poisonrana and a flying neck breaker but couldn't keep Shirai down.
Shirai wasn't going to be outshined as she delivered a top rope Spanish Fly and her signature moonsault but couldn't put LeRae away. Shirai finally got the win after applying a Koji Clutch. This match showed that you don't need a Championship match to make a rivalry feel important. It was an incredible match between two amazing wrestlers.
#2 Steel Cage Match for the NXT Women's Championship: Shayna Baszler vs. Io Shirai
After coming up short at TakeOver:25, Io Shirai got another chance to challenge for the title as she faced Shayna Baszler in a steel cage match. Baszler stuck to the basics as she took control early by grounding the challenger with a series of strikes. Shirai made a comeback by hitting a series of dropkicks, sending Baszler into the cage and followed it up with a top rope German suplex.
Shirai looked to escape the cage but Duke and Shafir ran down. Baszler looked to capitalize off the distraction as she went for the Kirifuda Clutch but the challenger broke free. With Duke guarding the cage door, Shirai scaled the cage but Shafir stopped her.
Just like at TakeOver: 25, LeRae ran down to even the odds as she leaped off the cage and delivered a crossbody onto Duke and Shafir.
The Genius of the Sky stood on top of the cage and delivered a jaw-dropping moonsault, leaving the fans in amazement. The closing moments were great as Baszler once again placed the challenger in the Kirifuda Clutch while reaching for the door. Shirai desperately tried to break free by slamming the door but upon impact, Baszler fell out of the cage and retained her title.
Unable to capture the NXT Women's Title, Shirai snapped as she took out her frustrations out on LeRae as she viciously attacked and suplexed her onto a chair. This was a terrific match ending with a great angle to enhance Shirai's character.
#3 NXT Women's Championship Match: Shayna Baszler vs. Io Shirai at NXT TakeOver: 25
The emotion heading into this Championship match was awesome as Shirai wanted to get revenge after Shayna Baszler attacked Kairi Sane's injured arm in her previous NXT match. Baszler was dominated early as she worked over Shirai's arm before Shirai made a comeback by hitting a deadlift German suplex but couldn't hold on after Baszler's attack.
Shirai showed she had the heart of a champion as she dropkicked Baszler to the floor and followed by delivering a top rope picture-perfect moonsault. Shirai hit a running double knee into the corner, went for a moonsault but Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir ran down.
The Horsewomen's plan was stopped as LeRae appeared and attacked then with a kendo stick. Off the distraction, Baszler went for her Kirifuda Clutch but Shirai broke free and countered into a bridging cradle for a near fall. Baszler broke free, reapplied the Kirifuda Clutch and retained the title.
This was disappointing as the timing seemed right for a title change. However, Shirai got the last laugh as she viciously attacked Baszler with a kendo stick and then followed with her signature moonsault. Shirai wasn't done as she strapped herself with a steel chair and crushed Baszler with a moonsault. This was great as it added another layer to Shirai's character and build up for an eventual rematch.
#4 Ladder Match: Io Shirai vs. Mia Yim
The winner of this match would get the advantage in the first-ever Women's WarGames match. The fireworks started early as Mia Yim suplexed Shirai onto the ladder. They battled over the ladder as Shirai hit a Tiger Feint Kick. Yim countered a charge by delivering an overhead suplex as Shirai clipped the edge of the ladder which looked nasty. Yim looked for the early victory but was yanked off and then sandwiched in-between a ladder.
Shirai grabbed another ladder and delivered a springboard dropkick sending another ladder into Yim's face. This looked nasty as Yim came up bleeding from the nose as doctors came in to check on her. Yim refused to quit as she battled back but Shirai cut her off by hitting a German suplex off the ladder. Dakota Kai ran out to check out on Yim. Shirai responded by delivering her signature moonsault onto Kai and Yim on the floor.
Shirai looked to have to the match won but Kai yanked her off with a sit-out power bomb. Kai rolled Yim back into the ring. Suddenly, NXT UK Women's Champion Kay Lee Ray appeared as she attacked Kai and then tipped the ladder as Yim went crashing through a ladder on the floor. Shirai climbed the ladder, grabbed the briefcase and won the match.
Shirai smiled on top of the ladder as Baszler came out but was attacked by Smackdown Women's Champion Bayley. A great match as both Shirai and Yim told a great story while coming up with creative ladder spots.
#5 Io Shirai's best moments
We all know Io Shirai is an incredible wrestler but here are some other memorable moments from the Genius of the Sky that stood out. Shirai left a lasting impression as showed everyone why she's called the Genius of the Sky, delivering her signature moonsault from the top of the cage in the first-ever Women's WarGames match.
Another highlight was seeing music sensation Poppy perform her song 'Scary Mask' for Shirai on NXT. This was amazing as Shirai's facial reactions were awesome, while playing off Poppy's performance. Post the performances, Shirai posed as the fans cheered and chanted "Io". The biggest takeaway was seeing Shirai showcased as the top star in the NXT women's division without the title.
2019 started with Kairi Sane and Shirai joining forces to form the Sky Pirates as they quickly become one of the most popular tag teams in NXT. The two best friends went their separate ways after Sane was called up to Smackdown. A dream match between Sane and Shirai is something I would love to see. We got a possible tease of a future match as Sane and Shirai confronted each other during the battle of brand supremacy.
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