5 worthy challengers for Rhea Ripley’s NXT Women’s Championship

#2 Io Shirai

Io Shirai holds the future of WWE

Io Shirai is arguably one of the most refined performers in NXT today. With over a decade of wrestling experience under her belt, she's someone who can do wonders for the NXT brand in the years to come.

Shirai, who has partnered with several babyfaces in the past, is playing a heel character on NXT at the moment. She was also part of Shayna Baszler’s team at NXT TakeOver: WarGames which competed against Rhea Ripley’s team. The next night, she represented Team NXT at Survivor Series.

With that in mind, there is no questioning her talent and value to the company, and she can be termed one of NXT’s toughest competitors.

Since Ripley is no stranger to Shirai, we could watch the two enter a bitter feud which could lead to some great matches between them.

Shirai is someone who can become a top Champion for the company with ease, and could be termed the favorite on the current NXT roster to end Ripley’s reign early and begin a new reign of her own.