Top 5 NXT matches and moments of Io Shirai

Io Shirai at NXT TakeOver: New York
Io Shirai at NXT TakeOver: New York

#3 NXT Women's Championship Match: Shayna Baszler vs. Io Shirai at NXT TakeOver: 25

Shirai challenges Baszler at TakeOver: 25
Shirai challenges Baszler at 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.

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