Io Shirai becomes number one contender to NXT Women's title

Io Shirai is first in line for a shot at Charlotte Flair’s NXT Women’s Championship.

Shirai became the number one contender to the title by winning a six-way ladder match on NXT tonight. Candice LeRae, Chelsea Green, Mia Yim, Tegan Nox, and Dakota Kai were the other wrestlers in the match. It was originally scheduled to take place at NXT TakeOver: Tampa.

Shirai and LeRae were vying for the briefcase at the end of the match. As they were fighting at the top of the ladder, Shirai raked LeRae’s eyes and sent her crashing onto a ladder that was set up on the middle rope in the corner.

After suffering a knee injury in January, Shirai returned to action on the NXT episode that aired on March 25. She tweeted about her return: “Although I hurt my knee and couldn’t wrestle, I shocked the medical trainers by fully recovering within two months. Thankfully no permanent damage at all!! Time for Io Shirai to rampage again!”

Charlotte defeated Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 36 to win the NXT Women’s Championship. It’s her second reign with the title. She previously held it from May 2014 to February 2015.

WWE hasn’t announced when Shirai will be getting her title shot.