As it was noted, WWE is currently on tour in Japan this weekend as the Superstars of SmackDown Live invaded Tokyo yesterday and today. Previously, it was reported by Tokyo Sports that Io Shirai of STARDOM Women’s Wrestling had signed a deal with the WWE (which you can check out here) that she later confirmed (find that here), however no announcement had been made by WWE yet.

That has now changed as Io appeared at today’s Tokyo event in front of the crowd, reiterating that she would be making the move, adding that she will be joining the NXT brand this Summer:

Breaking news: IO SHIRAI APPEARS AT #WWETokyo !! Purple Lightning is coming to NXT! #WWELive #wwejapan #IoShirai #WWRStardom #champion #QueensQuest #WorldWonderRingStardom #GoddessesofStardom #STARDOM #joshipuroresu #PurpleLightning #MidnightAngel #womenofwrestling #NJPWworld #NJPW #newjapanprowrestling #IWGP #ROH #WWE #puroresu #Japan 🗾 #prowrestling #週刊プロレス #プロレス #女子プロレス #紫雷イオ #スターダム

A post shared by Berry Meijer (@dartvader_one) on Jun 30, 2018 at 2:23am PDT

Io Shirai formally joins WWE! Women's pro-wrestler and former STARDOM's big star, Io Shirai (28), appeared in the ring at Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo during today's WWE Japan Live show to officially announce she will be joining WWE from this summer, starting in it's developmental brand NXT. Shirai addressed the home crowd, stating "I have kept you waiting, this summer I will join WWE. I will shine from this world stage ring. Please share this dream with me, everyone! Thank you & see you soon!" Shirai then got a big standing ovation from the fans in the building. Considered by many to be the best female wrestler in the world today, Shirai had recently left STARDOM following her last performance for the company at Korakuen Hall on June 17, to pursue an overseas career. #WWETokyo #WWELive #wwejapan #IoShirai #WWRStardom #champion #QueensQuest #WorldWonderRingStardom #GoddessesofStardom #STARDOM #joshipuroresu #PurpleLightning #MidnightAngel #womenofwrestling #NJPWworld #NJPW #newjapanprowrestling #IWGP #ROH #WWE #puroresu #Japan 🗾 #prowrestling #週刊プロレス #プロレス #女子プロレス #紫雷イオ #スターダム

A post shared by Berry Meijer (@dartvader_one) on Jun 30, 2018 at 3:18am PDT

While it has yet to be confirmed, the belief is that Shirai will be reporting to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida sometime in July along with some other new signees including Deonna Purrazzo (check that story out here).

Of course we know that WWE had offered Io a contract last year at the same time as current NXT Superstar Kairi Sane, however she failed her medical examination due to a neck injury and possible heart issue.

EA’s Take: I’m not familiar with Io Shirai’s work in the least, but from what I was told by one of our Japan experts, Andrew Balaz, she could turn out to be better than Kairi Sane or Asuka. Andrew described Kairi as the cute underdog, Asuka as the “buzzsaw” and Io as a combination of the two. So I’m definitely looking forward to see what she can do and become more familiar.

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