WWE: 5 NXT/NXT UK acts for Raw and Smackdown

5) Io Shirai to Smackdown

All of the usual justifications for “callups” apply here: dominant champion, been in memorable matches like War Games, developed a distinct character, put on fantastic matches, etc. However many tropes you choose, Shirai hits all of them.

One thing I think some fans seem to ignore is the amount of work wrestlers such as Shirai, Asuka, Kairi Sane, Santos Escobar, and others have done to deliver passable to better promos in English. Shirai was adept at inserting her English lines for added effect while mostly speaking in Japanese.

She should be able to develop her English promo skills even more on Smackdown (as long as McMahon doesn’t have her go the hyperbolic route of pandemic-era Asuka). She also brings an intensity in character that transfers well to her promos, regardless of language.

Also, her entrance is dope.

While Raw does need more help in its women’s division, Shirai is just a more spiritual fit for what has traditionally been known as the “wrestling show” between the two shows .The other issue at play here is she would be entering a muddled division on Raw.

Remember what I said about fantasy booking Satomura? The same applies to Shirai. She immediately bolsters a roster with Belair, Banks, and Bayley firmly entrenched as the top acts. Carmella, Natalya, Tamina, Reckoning/Mia Yim, Ruby Riott, and Liv Morgan round out the rest of the crew.

Insert Shirai and build her toward eventual matches with the top three. Carmella or Reckoning would be a great first feud, though Shirai would need to gov over. Carmella is more able to absorb a loss, so maybe Shirai feuds with Carmella out of the gate, takes out the Riott Squad members, and defeats Mia Yim before facing off against whoever isn’t Women’s Champion of the top three.

Give me at least 20 minutes of Shirai vs. Belair, Shirai vs. Banks, and Shirai vs. Belair. You’re looking at Match of the Year candidates. Have her emerge victorious, heading into a title match undefeated.

Then, crown her. If it’s still Belair, you can channel their parallel histories in NXT and center their feud on Belair’s failure to capture the NXT Women’s Championship and trying to prevent Shirai from dethroning her.

Shirai should be an anchor for years to come.