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WWE NXT: 3 wrestlers who could (finally) beat Shayna Baszler

By Philip Lindsey

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - MARCH 19: UFC Bantamweight Fighter Shayna Baszler of the US poses during the Ultimate Media Day at the Pestana Hotel on March 19, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - MARCH 19: UFC Bantamweight Fighter Shayna Baszler of the US poses during the Ultimate Media Day at the Pestana Hotel on March 19, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) /
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Io Shirai

Io Shirai is one of the few women who has managed to pin the champion. She was undoubtedly a strong favorite to win the fatal four-way last weekend.

It was certainly a questionable decision to have Bianca Belair tap out, but it probably wasn’t a coincidence that WWE protected Io. Now, Shirai has a definite claim for a rematch. If her tag team partner, Kairi Sane, loses next week, she has to be next in line for a title shot.

The Genius of the Sky is one of the most decorated women’s champions in the world, but she still has something to prove to WWE fans. She was one match away from becoming the winner of the second Mae Young Classic. She was also supposed to compete in the inaugural tournament, but she was sidelined due to a neck injury.

A win over Baszler would give WWE a chance to set her apart from Sane, who is already an established star. There’s a good chance she could join Sane on the main roster, as the Sky Pirates, but that feels premature. It would make more sense for Shirai to gain her own following first.

A run as NXT Women’s Champion would give her more credibility and add prestige to the title.

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