Io Shirai Defeats Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley To Become NXT Women's Champion
'Evil Genius Of The Sky' takes the throne from 'The Queen' at TakeOver: In Your House.
Io Shirai defeated both Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley to become NXT Women's Champion in the main event of TakeOver: In Your House, winning her first title of any kind with WWE in the process.
Hitting a brutal-looking moonsault on Ripley as she lay prone in Flair's Figure Eight submission hold, Shirai's victory concluded a ripper of a main event between the three that made fabulous use of the unique and nostalgia-laden setting. Her title celebrations were enhanced by a mass of streamers and confetti as a very good show went off the air on the most triumphant of notes,
Earlier in the contest, Flair and Ripley and lobbed potted plants and other assorted paraphernalia at one another after Shirai had been despatched into the giant window housing the TitanTron. 'The Evil Genius Of The Sky' lived up to her nickname by returning to action via the roof of the house set, spectacularly diving on to the pair in just one of several quality spots layered throughout the clash.
Shirai won this war, but it appears though new battles may spring forth from the result. Ripley's second high profile loss this year will likely continue her redemption, while former Champion Flair could realistically stake a claim for a singles rematch due to avoiding taking the fall.