10 Best Wrestlers Under 30 In The World Today
3. Io Shirai - 27
It looked as though Io Shirai was on the verge of signing with WWE a few months ago. The Japanese star had said "goodbye" to her home promotion (Stardom), and after meeting with WWE officials in March, it was reported that she'd join the Performance Center in time to compete in the Mae Young Classic.
This didn't materialise. Shirai was struck down with a neck injury, and while a number of major sources stated she'd sign with WWE once this had cleared up, she has since returned to Stardom. This should disappoint any NXT fan, because Shirai is one of the absolute best in the world, regardless of gender.
Io is a fast, fluid performer who exudes charisma between the ropes, and excels are drawing the fans into her matches. From high-flying moves and slick counters to stiff strikes and big suplexes, there's not a skill she hasn't mastered, and her matches against the likes of Kairi Hojo and Mayu Iwatani compare favourably with anything WWE's lauded Women's Revolution has ever produced.
The neck injury is a huge concern, but for now, WWE's loss is Stardom's gain, and Shirai will continue adding to her impeccable resume in Japan's biggest Joshi promotion.