WWE officially announced the signing of Japanese sensation Io Shirai.
The announcement was made at today’s WWE Live Event at Tokyo’s Ryōgoku Sumo Hall. Shirai made an appearance in front of the crowd and announced that she had signed with the company and will be starting in NXT this summer.
Shirai originally accepted an offer to join WWE in May 2017, but a heart issue that was found during medical testing kept her from being signed then. She was cleared to return to wrestling for Stardom and continued to be their top star until leaving the promotion.
Below is WWE's announcement and their Instagram post:
WWE announces signing of Japanese sensation Io Shirai at WWE Live Tokyo
WWE has announced that it has signed Io Shirai, one of the most decorated women’s wrestlers in the world, as its newest Superstar.
The announcement was made at today’s WWE Live Event at Tokyo’s Ryōgoku Sumo Hall, where Shirai was introduced to members of the WWE Universe as the newest signee to WWE NXT.
A ring veteran of more than 10 years, Shirai has accomplished more than virtually anyone in the modern history of Japanese women’s wrestlers. Tokyo Sports, a national daily sports newspaper, named her the country’s top female grappler in each of the past three years.
Boasting an exciting and technical in-ring style that combines speed and force, Shirai is renowned for her devastating strikes and suplexes. Nicknamed the “Genius of the Sky,” Shirai also packs a wide arsenal of high-flying moves, including an eye-popping Asai moonsault.
Shirai most recently competed with Tokyo-based World Wonder Ring Stardom, the same organization where NXT Superstar and inaugural Mae Young Classic winner Kairi Sane first made her name. A fixture of Stardom, Shirai was a multi-time champion there and enjoyed two reigns with the promotion’s top title, the World of Stardom Championship.
Will it be long before the WWE Universe witnesses Shirai’s spectacular ability in a WWE ring?
Photo: Instagram
