Io Shirai To Receive WWE NXT Women's Title Rematch Vs. Raquel Gonzalez
As confirmed last night, Io Shirai will get another shot at NXT gold.
Io Shirai will receive an NXT Women's Championship rematch after dropping the belt to Raquel Gonzalez at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
The former champion confirmed this during a sitdown interview with Beth Phoenix on last night's NXT, during which she said the following:-
"Wrestling is about challenges. Raquel was my biggest and toughest challenge. But, when the time is right, I will get my rematch."
When Phoenix asked what was next for Io, Shirai indicated she could be taking some time off:-
"Rest. I defended my title for over 300 days, you know... my body is tired. So I can come back, overcome the challenge of Raquel Gonzalez and take back--"
The segment was then interrupted by newcomer Franky Monet, who arrived on the scene with her dog, doing as she did in a set-piece with Gonzalez last week by establishing tension with Shirai.
It's unlikely that Io will be Gonzalez's next title challenger, as next week's NXT will see Dakota Kai face Mercedez Martinez with the implication that if Martinez wins, she could get a shot. The former RETRIBUTION member has been throwing potshots at Raquel for several weeks.
Nonetheless, expect WWE to put Shirai vs. Gonzalez II together whenever Io's "rest" is over.