Top Japanese Women's Stars Io Shirai And Kairi Hojo To Join WWE?
Stardom champions could be headed stateside in 2017.
According to the Wrestling Observer, WWE has made offers to two of the top women in pro wrestling - Stardom's Io Shirai (above, left) and Kairi Hojo (above, right). The company wants both to start in 2017.
Shirai, the promotion's ace, has reportedly told the management of both companies that she will be heading to WWE. Previously part of a stable with older sister Mio Shirai and Kana (currently NXT Women's Champion Asuka), she joined Stardom in 2011 and went on to hold every championship in the company, including the new SWA World Championship that represents an alliance between Stardom, Mexico's Women Wrestling Stars, and several European promotions. She is widely considered the best female worker in Japan, and is currently in her second reign as World of Stardom Champion.
Hojo's arrival in WWE is less certain. Though the currently reigning Wonder of Stardom Champion is interested in making the jump, officials from the Japanese promotion are trying to keep her. Furthermore, Shirai has suffered two major concussions over the past couple of years, and there are questions as to whether she could pass the physical necessary to get signed. Hojo has been one of Shirai's chief rivals during her tenure in Stardom.
WWE's aggressive recruitment of new female talent could be a clue that the rumored Women's Classic tournament is coming in the new year.