Reason Why Io Shirai Lost at NXT Takeover: Wargames Despite Being the NXT Champion

NXT Champion Io Shirai suffered her first pinfall loss of 2020 at NXT Takeover: War Games. Shirai was planted through a ladder by the monstrous Raquel Gonzalez, to secure the win for Team Le Rae in a scintillating War Games match.

Raquel Gonzalez pinned the invincible Io Shirai

Io Shirai has been the MVP of the NXT Women’s division for most of 2020. Since winning the title at Takeover: In Your House, she has proudly and valiantly defended her title. Rhea Ripley, Dakota Kai, Candice Le Rae, Shotzi Blackeart- all have fallen at the hands of Shirai.

Only one person in the women’s division has not yet been pinned by Shirai. Raquel Gonzalez might just be Dakota Kai’s bodyguard, but in a short amount of time, she turned herself into the most daunting superstar in NXT.

Gonzalez suffered her first loss in NXT to Rhea Ripley at Halloween Havoc, which led to Ripley challenging Io for the title. Ripley lost and is effectively out of the title picture for some time. Candice Le Rae has lost to Shirai too many times to be a legitimate threat to Shirai’s reign.

Will Raquel be the next NXT Champion?

The only women who can beat Shirai now is Raquel Gonzalez. She proved capable of doing so at War Games, by destroying Io completely. Gonzalez pulled Shirai’s broken body off the broken ladder and secured a monumental win for herself.

It is common knowledge that Raquel Gonzalez will break out from Dakota Kai’s shadow and grab the brass ring. There is no better time than now to capitalize on her momentum and have her beat Shirai for the NXT Championship.

Gonzalez winning the title is a massive opportunity for NXT to build up some new babyfaces. Ember Moon and Toni Storm can be exciting title defenses for the monstrous Gonzalez. She can even redeem her loss to Rhea Ripley and establish herself as the undisputed monarch of the NXT Women’s division.

Is Io Shirai heading to the main roster?

As for Io Shirai, the main roster seems like a good enough challenge for her. Both Raw and SmackDown might hugely benefit from Shirai’s presence. From her wrestling ability, right down to her character work, scream main event talent. It would be criminal not to put the Women’s Championship on Shirai within her first few months on the main roster.