Io Shirai won the NXT Women’s Championship by defeating Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in Triple Threat Match at NXT Takeover: In Your House, which took place on June 7th, 2020. From then, she became the dominant champion and successfully defended her NXT Women’s title on many occasions.
On this week’s WWE NXT, Io Shirai retained her title against Toni Strom and now, she is coming close to 300 day mark as NXT Women’s Champion. It was also expected that Io Shirai would defend her title at two-night NXT Takeover: Stand and Deliver, which will take place on WrestleMania 37 weekend. And it seems that we may see the title change at the event.
TAKE A STAND. #WWENXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver comes your way on April 7 on @USA_Network and April 8 on @peacockTV! #WWENXT #WeAreNXT pic.twitter.com/EDWEX4eiSb
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 11, 2021
On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez reported that WWE had plans to make Raquel Gonzalez as new NXT Women’s Champion months ago but the plans always change in NXT. He stated that he didn’t know what’s current direction is but Raquel Gonzalez is set for championship push in black and gold brand.
“I don’t know who’s gonna win the title, and plans change all the time in NXT. I heard months ago that Raquel is probably the one who is going to beat Io Shirai.”
According to the reports from WrestlingNews.co, Raquel Gonzalez is well-liked by management and also got huge praise from backstage for her overall improvement in the ring, and also with her promo work.
It was also noted that NXT announcers mentioned to focus on Io Shirai’s impressive title defense streak as that will something play up during her feud with Raquel. So, WWE would show up Io Shirai’s dominance as the champion in the storyline with Raquel Gonzalez, so that could make title change even more meaningful.
On this week’s NXT, NXT General Manager William Regal revealed the new NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles and announced that Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez are the first-ever tag team champions as they were the winners of Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament.
In one shocking moment, NEW #WWENXT Women’s Tag Team Champions were crowned!
Congratulations @ShotziWWE & @WWEEmberMoon!!! pic.twitter.com/6kVqlm9qEf
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) March 12, 2021
But later in the show, they lost title to Shotzi BlackHeart and Ember Moon. Then, Io Shirai had backstage with Raquel Gonzalez in which she stated that she wants Gonzalez next.
