Jefferson Lake
WWE Editor @jeffersonlake
WWE signs Japanese star Io Shirai for developmental brand NXT
Last Updated: 02/07/18 6:49am
WWE has completed a deal to take legendary Japanese women's wrestler Io Shirai to their developmental brand NXT.
The 28-year, nicknamed "The Genius of the Sky", is best known for her work in joshi promotion Stardom and becomes the third high-profile female fighter to make the move to WWE from Japan in recent years, following Asuka and Kairi Sane.
The deal was confirmed at WWE's live event at Tokyo's Sumo Hall, where Shirai was introduced to members of the WWE fans as the newest recruit to 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 and also packs a wide arsenal of high-flying moves, including an eye-popping Asaimoonsault.
Shirai won six world titles in Stardom, regularly competing alongside and against Sane, who won last year's Mae Young Classic tournament before signing for WWE.
