5 Taya Valkyrie matches we want to see in WWE/NXT

#3 Taya Valkyrie vs. Io Shirai would have a lot of star power

Is @shirai_io afraid of heights? What do you think. #NXTTakeOver @RealMMartinez pic.twitter.com/weOUaHpF1j

— WWE (@WWE) February 15, 2021

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.

Yeaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!Still MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😈😈😈👍🏻👍🏻🎉✨✨✨✨✨✨#WomensChampion, #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/NLDOqjwwDu

— 紫雷イオ、Io Shirai (@shirai_io) February 15, 2021

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.