10 NXT Stars Vince McMahon Will DESTROY On WWE's Main Roster

4. Io Shirai

Io Shirai Evolution
WWE

One need only look at the fates that have befallen countrywomen Kairi Sane and Asuka on the main roster to forecast what lies ahead for Io Shirai.

Though Asuka started brightly and looked set to become a dominant player after her Royal Rumble triumph, her career has cratered since losing to Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 34, with Carmella destroying what remained of her aura. Sane, meanwhile, has been given precisely zero chances to shine after arriving in April, working only a handful of single-digit SmackDown bouts. Both Kabuki Warriors have now been consigned to the wasteland that is the women's tag division.

Vince McMahon has no idea how to push, promote, and present Japanese performers. Even Shinsuke Nakamura, one of the most charismatic wrestlers of his generation, has succumbed to crushing main roster normalisation. Thus, it's safe to assume Shirai will follow a similar path.

A permanent fixture in any "best in the world" discussion over the past few years, Shirai is yet to show her best work in NXT. Time will allow her such opportunities, so enjoy those blow-away TakeOver performances when they come: you'll need them to hold onto when she's going 50/50 with Dana Brooke on Raw.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.