Taya Valkyrie has been one of the top stars in the IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts division. She is a former IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Champion, and her reign was the longest in the history of the promotion. Since she recently signed with WWE, many fans have been fantasy booking their favorite superstars against the three-time AAA Reina de Reinas Champion.
The array of talent on the WWE roster is exceptional. Above all else, the NXT women's division features some of the the very best female wrestlers in the entire business today with Io Shirai, Toni Storm and others. With Taya Valkyrie expected to join WWE NXT, there are so many competitors who could provide an excellent clash with the brand's newest acquisition.
After Valkyrie's successful run in IMPACT Wrestling with memorable feuds against Rosemary and Tessa Blanchard, even her hardcore fans will be expecting a lot from her time in WWE. Here's a look at the five Taya Valkyrie matches that many fans want to see in WWE/NXT.
#5 Taya Valkyrie vs. Candice LeRae could help establish the newcomer as a heel
It will be interesting to see whether Taya Valkyrie enters WWE as a babyface or a heel. She has shown an ability to do well in both roles during her time in Lucha Underground and IMPACT Wrestling. Likewise, Candice LeRae has shown the same ability, especially during her latest run with Johnny Gargano and The Way.
At one point in time, LeRae was a deeply captivating underdog during her run as a babyface. Her fire during her comebacks against the likes of Shayna Baszler got the crowd firmly behind her. As a heel, LeRae has displayed cunning skills to get the upper hand on her opponents. In this particular dream match with Taya Valkyrie, it would be best for her to play the babyface role.
Valkyrie has a distinct size and strength advantage over LeRae, while the latter would bring superior speed. She'd also have the edge in experience. The in-ring work would be crisp and stiff, bringing a sense of realism to this contest. The feud could use the members of The Way and even Valkyrie's husband, John Morrison to build a compelling storyline.
These two stars have met in intergender tag team action, but seeing Taya Valkyrie and Candice LeRae clash in a singles match would bring something completely different to the brand. This bout would make for a great NXT TV match, or it might even be a solid midcard match on a TakeOver.
If WWE ever wants to turn LeRae face again, a feud with Taya Valkyrie would be a great way to do so.
#4 Taya Valkyrie vs. Mercedes Martinez would be a physical clash of powerhouses
Taya Valkyrie has a hard-hitting offensive style that was influenced by her time in Mexico. If there was any female on the WWE NXT brand that can match her physical style, it's Mercedes Martinez. She would give Valkyrie another veteran to mix it up with.
Mercedes has had a strange run in WWE since she signed with the company. From her brief period with the Robert Stone Brand to her even shorter stint with RETRIBUTION, it has been quite the roller coaster ride for the 20-year career veteran. Following her loss at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day, she needs a strong rival to help her bounce back.
Taya Valkyrie could easily be that enemy for Martinez. Mercedes's intimidating presence and dominating in-ring work make her an easy heel. As a result, she could help establish Valkyrie as a babyface as soon as she arrives in NXT.
In the ring, these two women would deliver a stiff, snug battle that would elevate both competitors. Valkyrie and Martinez could be a heavyweight-style slugfest for that would would give Valkyrie a huge push up the card in the aftermath.
#3 Taya Valkyrie vs. Io Shirai would have a lot of star power
Taya Valkyrie is a rare WWE signee that has not worked in the acclaimed Japanese promotion, STARDOM. The likes of Toni Storm, Thunder Rosa and other acclaimed competitors came through there. But among the talent who made a name for themselves in that company, Io Shirai stands above the rest.
"The Genius of the Sky" has been establishing an impressive path during her time in NXT, too. Shirai is simply brilliant in the ring. Her footwork and timing are beautiful. She also has remarkable pacing as a wrestler, as everything seems to be hit at the right time. Shirai has assembled quite the catalogue of great matches against stars like Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae and Dakota Kai.
The matchup of Shirai vs. Taya Valkyrie would give the reigning NXT Women's Champion a different type of challenger. Valkyrie has a similar hard-hitting style that Mercedes Martinez brings, but she is flashier in the ring.
She exudes confidence, so she'd be the perfect opponent for Shirai. Valkyrie knows how to control her opponent in the ring, and she would have Shirai fighting from underneath.
The difference in skills would be a captivating clash of styles. Shirai is amazing with her high-flyingmanuevers while Taya Valkyrie is crisp in her strikes and her big moves. These two ladies can work, and they would fit so well on an NXT TakeOver card. Valkyrie is such a terrific addition to the black-and-gold brand.
She clearly opens the door for plenty of dream matches. But none of these bouts would be as compelling as Valkyrie vs. Shirai.
#2 Taya Valkyrie vs. Sasha Banks would be worthy of a main event spot on any card
When many fans are asked who they would like to see face Taya Valkyrie on the WWE roster, they will immediately think of the Four Horsewomen. Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Bayley have been connected to the women's evolution since it began in 2015. They have been some of the best workers and the biggest stars WWE has produced in the last decade.
But more than anyone, Banks would be the most intriguing opponent for Taya Valkyrie in WWE. "The Boss" has been on fire since she won the SmackDown Women's Championship from Bayley. Their Hell In A Cell clash was quite innovative for the legendary stipulation match.
Banks has a lot of momentum right now. Plus, the star power she gained from her recent appearances on "The Mandalorian, makes Banks the most marketable opponent Valkyrie could face right now. "The Boss" could launch Valkyrie's career in WWE because she's one of the most popular wrestlers on the roster.
Placing Valkyrie into a feud with Banks would give her an immediate spotlight that could set her up for success on the main roster.
Like other options on this list, Taya Valkyrie vs. Sasha Banks would be a hard-hitting affair. Both ladies are known for delivering realistic action inside the ring, so one can only imagine how stiff the two women would work with one another. Both stars would also bring boatloads of charisma to this encounter.
Their individual skills would create magic in a match between the two. This intriguing contest would look right at home on the big stage of a pay-per-view.
#1 Taya Valkyrie vs. Asuka would be a one-of-a-kind encounter
Taya Valkyrie is at her best when she's facing women who can work a crisp, hard-hitting style. Her strike-heavy offense could create magnificent matches across all three WWE brands. On the main roster, the reigning RAW Women's Champion Asuka is the hardest hitter one can imagine.
Asuka has had quite the illustrious career in WWE. She was the longest-reigning NXT Women's Champion of all time, and she has won both the RAW and SmackDown Women's Championships. She was also the first Women's Royal Rumble winner.
"The Empress of Tomorrow" has even won the Women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match, and she is a multi-time Women's Tag Team Champion. With that spectacular résumé in play, she'd be quite the obstacle for Taya Valkyrie to overcome. Needless to say, Asuka vs. Valkyrie would be a fascinating pairing.
Both competitors have a lot of natural charisma that's evident every moment they're on the screen. From their entrances to their ring gear, Asuka vs. Taya Valkyrie would be one of the most colorful matches in recent memory. It would be a disservice to wrestling fans to not have this clas featured on a huge stage. The fans' energy would give this contest the epic atmosphere it needs.
In the future, Taya Valkyrie might be looked back on as a crucial signing for WWE's women's division. Her attire, entrance, in-ring style and character are unparalled, and she brings something entirely new to the company. Putting her in the ring with any of the stars on this list would be entertaining. But Asuka vs. Valkyrie would be the best out out of these dream matches.