A high-profile NXT star and former champion has seemingly denied reports that they are looking to leave WWE.
On a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer suggested that Io Shirai had “one foot” out of the WWE exit door. The comment came after it was previously reported that Shirai hasn’t signed a new deal, with her current contract set to expire in August.
However, the star herself has appeared to squash these reports with a short, and to the point message on social media.
Rumors🤮
— 紫雷イオ、Io Shirai (@shirai_io) July 12, 2022
Shirai finally signed with WWE in 2018 after a protracted saga which saw her arrival due to a number of medical issues. After putting pen to paper the former Stardom Champion joined the NXT brand, competing in the second Mae Young Classic. In the tournament, Shirai went all of the way to the final where she was defeated by Toni Storm.
Over the next five years the star went on to enjoy a glittering run with WWE’s third brand, winning the NXT Women’s Title, the NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles and the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic earlier in 2022.
Shirai hasn’t wrestled since Stand & Deliver on April 2nd where she challenged for the NXT Women’s Championship in a Fatal-Four-Way Match. Following the event it was reported that the Japanese star had been side-lined with an injury.
It has been suggested that the star is in line for a return to the ring, but this is now unclear as her future appears uncertain.