Io Shirai is ready to compete at WrestleMania.
For the first time ever, the NXT Women's Championship was defended at WrestleMania in 2020 when Rhea Ripley took on Charlotte Flair. Reigning NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai wouldn't mind making it two straight years at WrestleMania for the title. She also has an opponent in mind.
"WrestleMania is the grandest stage we have in this business and I have always wanted to compete under that spotlight. A match with Meiko Satomura is another dream match for me. Fortunately, she has joined NXT UK, making it a real possibility now. I am so excited," she told Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated.
Satomura made her NXT UK debut on Thursday, February 11, picking up a victory over Isla Dawn.
Io also said facing Mayu Iwatani at an NXT TakeOver is a dream match for her.
Shirai has been NXT Women's Champion since TakeOver: In Your House, holding the title for over 250 days by the time NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day rolls around on Sunday.
For Shirai, the quantity of days isn't as important as the quality of title defenses.
"I find it very interesting that in Japan the number of title defenses are emphasized and here in WWE the number of days is important. So this is the first time I have realized I will be NXT Champion for 253 days. The days are easy to understand and count, but having quality matches against whomever I am facing matters more to me in the end because it will make me a better performer," she said.
Shirai has defended her title against the likes of Tegan Nox, Dakota Kai, Candice LeRae, and Rhea Ripley.
She is set to defend the title against Toni Storm and Mercedes Martinez in a triple threat match at TakeOver: Vengeance Day. You can view the current lineup for the event by clicking here. Fightful will have live coverage of TakeOver beginning at 7 p.m. ET plus a watch along on Fightful Scraps.
