Io Shirai Returns On WWE NXT

A busy night for Poppy, who brought Io Shirai back and released a soundtrack during NXT.

Io Shirai Poppy
WWE.com

Io Shirai returned to WWE on last night's episode of NXT, brawling with Candice LeRae after being reintroduced by musician Poppy.

Returning to the brand herself, Poppy was the subject of an angry in-ring tirade from Candice LeRae, whose tag team partner, Indi Hartwell, had left the building after Poppy hugged Dexter Lumis. LeRae called Poppy out - and the artist obliged.

Saying that she doesn't wrestle but knows somebody who does, Poppy brought out Shirai, who battered Candice in the ring and ran her off following a 619 and springboard dropkick. The scene closed with Io and Poppy celebrating in the ring.

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Poppy and Shirai's link comes from the 30 October 2019 episode of NXT, on which the musician played Io to the ring with her track Scary Mask.

This was the first time Shirai had been on NXT television since April. The former NXT Women's Champion conducted a sitdown interview after TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, where she lost the strap to Raquel Gonzalez. Though that segment was interrupted by Franky Monet, last night suggests that LeRae, a previous title challenger of Io's, could be the comeback queen's first big feud back.

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NXT also saw Poppy release her EAT NXT soundtrack album during the live show, doing so with a literal push of a button in a backstage scene with Triple H.

Channel Manager
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.