WWE: 5 wrestlers who can win their first NXT Women’s Championship in 2020

Io Shirai

As 2019 came to a close, Shirai’s transition from one-dimensional fan favorite to one of NXT’s top villains was a great story. The challenge is going to be, where Shirai goes from here. In 2020 the NXT women’s division will be wide open for someone to take hold of the number two spot behind Ripley. That wrestler should be Io Shirai.

She excels as a villain who can strike at any time or any place. Based on that quick strike ability, the opportunity for her to begin a solid feud with Ripley is available. She can appear during Ripley’s matches and attack her from behind. As the year progresses, this will lead to the eventual championship opportunity for Shirai.

She has to continue to gain equity as a mercenary, and break the hearts of every Ripley fan, by winning the NXT Women’s Championship. Ripley has shown the ability to be vulnerable in her feud as she chased Baszler for the NXT Women Championship. As a champion, that same vulnerability that helped her gain fans can help make Shirai look stronger.

This championship switch shouldn’t take place until the fall of 2020. Shirai has all the time in the world to make herself a stronger character and Ripley needs time to solidify herself as NXT Women’s Champion.