WWE: 5 challengers for new NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai
At WWE NXT TakeOver: In Your House, Io Shirai became the new champ.
We’ve got a new WWE NXT Women’s Champion after NXT TakeOver: In Your House delivered a truly magnificent main event between Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, and Io Shirai. “The Genius of the Sky” has finally captured NXT gold, and it’s about time.
All three women gave us top-notch performances in an absolutely TakeOver-worthy main event, but only one could be victorious. As Flair had Ripley locked in the Figure Eight, it was Shirai who came off the top with a moonsault onto Ripley to secure the pinfall and become the new champion.
Who will be in line to challenge NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai? While Charlotte Flair will likely push for a rematch, there’s no way Shirai is losing the title to her. These five candidates seem poised to show us something special.
Rhea Ripley
The most obvious choice would be the woman Shirai pinned to capture the NXT Women’s Championship. While Ripley’s shoulders were on the mat, it took the power of both of her opponents to keep her down this time.
More from Daily DDT
- It’s time for Adam Cole and MJF to drop the ROH tag team titles
- Tom Lawlor talks MLW return, AEW opportunity, CM Punk’s WWE return and more
- Eddie Kingston stands to gain the most from the AEW Continental Classic
- Trish Stratus on WWE NXT would help elevate that women’s division
- Randy Orton signs with SmackDown to go after The Bloodline
Rhea Ripley still hasn’t had a straightforward rematch since losing the title at WrestleMania 36, so it’s only proper she gets that against Io Shirai. We’ve already seen these two mix it up with Charlotte Flair as part of the equation, but it would be magnificent to see what they can do one-on-one.
Candice LeRae
The Poison Pixie has been carving a new path in NXT since turning to the dark side along with Johnny Gargano. LeRae is constantly deserving of a title shot because she’s simply that good, and we’ve already seen what these two can do before.
Few can forget their epic clash at NXT TakeOver: Toronto 2019.
Candice LeRae is a completely different competitor now than she was back then, which provides an all-new dynamic for two of the most magnificent in-ring performers in NXT.
Shotzi Blackheart
Definitely the up-and-comer of these options, Shotzi Blackheart has been blazing her own path on her tiny tank in NXT. This competitor from The Black Lagoon beats to her own drum much like Shirai does, and they’d provide an unforgettable mix of personality and style when pitted against each other.
Blackheart was on the winning side of the six-woman tag team match at NXT TakeOver: In Your House, which gives her some much-needed momentum to push towards a matchup like this. With a well-placed singles victory on NXT, this dream match could soon become a reality.
Tegan Nox
Speaking of NXT TakeOver: In Your House, it was during that opening contest that Tegan Nox finally vanquished the demon of Dakota Kai that had haunted her for so long. Nox pinned Kai to end that contest, and delivered some great moments including a Molly Go Round to the outside.
Nox might be the purest babyface left in NXT right now, which makes her a perfect match for “Evil Shirai.” These two also have some history that could come into play, as Shirai was a big factor in the WarGames Match where Nox was attacked by Kai and removed from the equation.
Sasha Banks
Last but certainly not least, there’s the non-NXT x-factor in “The Boss” Sasha Banks. We’ve already seen that crossover to NXT is certainly an option, and the stage seems set for two amazing women from two different eras of NXT to finally face off against each other. Sasha Banks recently captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles alongside SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley.
Next. Will Naomi turn heel soon?. dark
However, Bayley still has twice the gold that Sasha does, and Banks could remedy that by once again capturing the title that put her on the map. Of course, Bayley will surely find a way to get involved as well, and Banks can only hope that involvement helps her rather than hinders her.