Io Shirai was heavily rumored to join the main roster after dropping the NXT Women’s Championship to Raquel Gonzalez, last April. But that won’t be the case as she’s back on board for NXT, as seen on this week’s NXT. But she seems to have some connection with a particular superstar from Monday Night Raw whom she can expect to have by her side when it comes to tag team matches.
Io Shirai is open to the idea of partnering with RAW Superstar Damian Priest in mixed tag team matches in the future. It was Priest who started the conversation on Twitter by posting a photo with the WWE NXT Superstar following her comeback on TV. Priest posted a photo with the former NXT Women’s Champion while also calling her his favorite tag team partner.
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While responding to Priest, Io Shirai took mentioned that she doesn’t have many friends but she can always count on the Archer of Infamy to be her partner in mixed tag matches. “I don’t have friends, but I do have a partner for mixed tag team matches. @ArcherOfInfamy yay!!” she wrote.
I don't have friends, but I do have a partner for mixed tag team matches.??@ArcherOfInfamy yay!!?? https://t.co/pQfuar7ZiT
— 紫雷イオ、Io Shirai (@shirai_io) June 9, 2021
It should be noted that Io Shirai and Damian Priest were briefly mixed tag team partners during their feud with Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano, last September. The individual feuds culminated at NXT TakeOver 31, where Priest defeated Gargano to retain his NXT North American Championship while Shirai beat LeRae to retain her NXT Women’s Championship. Priest then moved to the main roster in due course.
Io Shirai returned on this week’s episode of NXT
As seen on this week’s WWE NXT, Io Shirai was introduced by musician Poppy who hit Candice LeRae with a bunch of offense, then delivered 619 and a springboard missile dropkick. LeRae retreated to the stage as Poppy and Shirai kept on celebrating. This was the third appearance for Poppy and Shirai together as Poppy previously performed ring entrances for the former NXT Women’s Champion in a TakeOver event.
Afterward, Io Shirai also had a brief altercation with NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai. It appears that the Japanese sensation still has her eyes on the Women’s Title. As noted above, this week marked the first appearance for her since losing the NXT Women’s Title to Gonzalez during Night One of the “Takeover: Stand and Deliver” event during WrestleMania 37 Weekend.
