Five inter-promotional wrestling trades that benefit all parties

1. Thunder Rosa (AEW) for Io Shirai (WWE – NXT)

Rosa has seen a meteoric rise in the past few years. From NWA Powerrr to competing in mixed martial arts to her memorable battle with Britt Baker, D.M.D. to debuting for Impact Wrestling against Purrazzo, no one’s stock may have risen as much as Rosa’s in that time.

For good reason, too, as she is wonderful in the ring with a defined character that exudes so much charisma and confidence that promos aren’t really necessary. Her look draws awe from the audience, and she has a solid in-ring style that reads realistic thanks to her MMA training. She’s improved to the point that she could carry a division.

Io Shirai, “Genius of the Sky,” has done it all in NXT. She was the most dominant champion on the brand during her tenure and had quality match after quality match regardless of her opponent. She didn’t need to but improved her English to enough of a point that she is now doing many segments in mostly English (her frienemy relationship with Zoey Stark is a good example).

For AEW, Shirai comes in having worked with many of the women in AEW from her time in Japan. Because of that, she also knows and understands Joshi style along with more Western-style wrestling, being able to meld them and utilize them depending on her opponent. Whether her opponent is Baker, Red Velvet, Nyla Rose, Kris Statlander, or Riho, Shirai can adapt easily. An unleashed Shirai kicking the heads off of people would be entertaining, to say the least.

Rosa in NXT then could fine-tune her wrestling for though many deride WWE style, there is no denying that it’s polished (sometimes too much). She also adds a unique character and presentation to NXT, particularly 2.0, where her “Dia De Los Muertos” face paint clashes well with the upbeat revamp of the brand. Rosa could have engaging feuds with Candice LeRae, Raquel Gonzalez, Dakota Kai, Kay Lee Ray, Sarray, Franky Monet, B-Fab, Elektra Lopez, and more.

I tried to balance the trades to benefit all parties, but there are other possibilities. What about The Young Bucks for The Usos? Utami Hayashishita for Shayna Baszler? Faccion de Ingobernable for Hit Row?

What are your thoughts?