At NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, Io Shirai faces her toughest task yet when she takes on Raquel González. González has been built up over the past few months as a very credible challenger for Shirai and has been impressing people more and more with each passing performance. While Shirai has done her job as champion well, we feel it’s time for a new champion to reign in NXT. Let’s explain why.
González Is Shirai’s Biggest Threat to Date
In Io Shirai’s entire 290-day reign as NXT Women’s Champion, there has been no challenger with a better build-up than Raquel González. Not only does González own a rare pinfall win over Shirai, but she also defeated former champion Rhea Ripley in a heated feud months ago to stake her claim as the powerhouse of the NXT Women’s Division. Add in the fact that González and her tag partner Dakota Kai have just won the first-ever women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and that González is coming into this match with a huge wave of momentum behind her. If González fails to beat Shirai, NXT may be passing up the opportunity to belt up one of its hottest and best-presented stars.
It’s Time For Io Shirai to Move On
As mentioned previously, Io Shirai has been atop the women’s division as its champion for 290 days. Shirai debuted in NXT at the tail end of 2018 and since then has faced almost every notable name there is in the women’s division. While many fans may not want it, we could be approaching the point where Io Shirai needs to make a move to either RAW or SmackDown to freshen things up and face some new opponents.
Raquel González Is a Fresh Face
Ever since re-debuting as Kai’s enforcer, González has competed in just a handful of singles matches, against just four different opponents. With potential matches and feuds with a number of talented women waiting for her, she would freshen up the NXT title picture. González has more fresh matches and feuds waiting for her than almost any other woman in NXT and this makes her an excellent choice to be the woman to dethrone Io Shirai.
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