Monday WWE announced the location of NXT TakeOver XXV—Bridgeport, Connecticut. Today, Triple H confirmed Shayna Baszler will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Io Shirai.
If you’ve been keeping up with NXT, this match shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. They’ve been planting the seed for this feud since Io pinned the NXT Women’s Champion to win a six-woman tag match a few months ago.
Baszler added fuel to the flames when she brutally attacked Sharai’s friend and tag team partner, Kairi Sane, after her final NXT match last month. A week later, the Queen of Spades and the rest of the Horsewomen jumped Io during a backstage interview. Since the two have been at each other’s throats.
Many fans assumed Baszler would drop the title at NXT Takeover: New York. However, she surprisingly submitted Bianca Belair, raising the question who will eventually dethrone the two-time NXT Women’s Champion.
Could Io Shirai be the one who finally ends Shayna’s reign of terror or will she fall victim to the Kirifuda Cluth like many before her?
Either way, their first one-on-one match for WWE should be one to remember. After all, they have a history dating back to Shirai’s time with Stardom. Two years ago, they faced each other at Korakuen Hall for the World of Stardom Championship.
What do you think? Will Io Shirai be the next NXT Women’s Champion? Drop a comment below and check back for more updates on NXT.
