Top 5 performers from NXT TakeOver 31 

#4 Io Shirai

🎶 Hey, Rey. Hey, Rey. 🎶#NXTTakeOver @shirai_io @CandiceLeRae @reymysterio pic.twitter.com/lnAkBCjyYu

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) October 5, 2020

The NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai is one of the best wrestlers in WWE regardless of gender. Since winning the title at TakeOver: In Your House, she has had a splendid reign as NXT Women's Champion featuring strong matches throughout. Here at NXT TakeOver 31, she had arguably her best title defense yet against Candice LaRae.

These two ladies had the Match of the Night back at TakeOver: Toronto last year. Going into NXT TakeOver 31, they had high expectations. They more than lived up to their previous match here despite some shenanigans towards the end of their encounter. We had two referee bumps and Johnny Gargano coming down, trying to be the ref himself. However, Shirai was able to overcome all of that, hitting a top rope Spanish Fly followed by the Over The Moon-sault for the win.

We knew it would be good, but we had no idea it would be THIS good!Shenanigans and all, @shirai_io retains her #WWENXT #WomensTitle at #NXTTakeOver @CandiceLeRae #AndStill pic.twitter.com/3Uh5F6xKqX

— WWE (@WWE) October 5, 2020

Io Shirai showed off her captivating selling ability and engaging arsenal of maneuvers to more than stand out on a night filled with fantastic wrestling up and down the card. She is truly the benchmark for women's wrestling on the NXT brand and arguably in the entire WWE. Shirai proved this once again at NXT TakeOver 31.

With the returns of Toni Storm and Ember Moon, she will have more opportunities to establish herself as one of the greatest NXT Women's Champions in history moving forward.