The Remarkable Transformation of WWE Sensation Iyo Sky: A Journey to Stardom!

“The Genius of the Skies,” Iyo Sky, has won over a multitude of WWE fans since her debut at WWE’s Historic Evolution Premium Live event in 2018. Although she didn’t win the tournament, her rise through the ranks of the Japanese wrestling scene during her teenage years caught the attention of many in the U.S.

Sky’s success in WWE is notable. Known for her spectacular performances in Wargames, she joined the main roster with Damage CTRL at SummerSlam, securing her place as a two-time women’s world champion and earning multiple tag team championships. Her match at WrestleMania 41 alongside Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley even scored a five-star rating from Dave Meltzer, marking an impressive highlight in her career.

Nonetheless, her journey to WrestleMania was not without challenges. Climbing the ranks in Japan’s independent wrestling scene, including Stardom, became a tough battle for Sky, especially after facing a significant setback when she was falsely implicated in a drug smuggling incident.

After a difficult period that made her consider retirement, she rebounded and worked hard to reclaim her spot in wrestling. With experiences ranging from training in Mexico to honing her skills in Japan, Sky now shines in “WWE RAW” and showcases her remarkable evolution.

Sky’s journey into professional wrestling began alongside her younger sister Mio Shirai in March 2007, when she was just 16. Starting out while still in high school, she pursued a full-time wrestling career upon graduating, forming a team called Makehen with her sister and other talents trained by Tomohiko Hashimoto. In their first year, they competed in various independent promotions including Waves of Pro Wrestling and Sendai Girls Wrestling.

In October 2008, the Shirai sisters debuted as a tag team for All Japan Pro Wrestling, marking a significant milestone in their careers. They clinched their first championship by defeating Moeka Haruhi and Nakagawa in April 2009, becoming the inaugural World Young Women’s Tag Team Champions.

In June 2010, the sisters formed a stable called Triple Tails, teaming up with freelance wrestler Kana. They branched beyond the independent scene to showcase their talent at various promotions and even organized their own events, featuring inter-gender matches.

By July 2011, Sky, Mio, and Kana held a press conference announcing Sky’s transition to a singles career. Her competitive journey continued as she participated in several tournaments, leading to notable matches against top female wrestlers.

In 2010, Sky traveled to Mexico to sharpen her aerial skills. From 2010 to 2012, she wrestled in Mexico and returned briefly in 2014 and 2015 following the drug incident. Debuting for the International Wrestling Revolutionary Group as Viva Kasai, she adopted a cat-like persona similar to the one she shared with her sister for entrances in Japan.

Working with her sister at AAA, Sky was involved with La Legion Extranjera and participated in various matches, including an elimination match at Wrestling All-Star Pro. Additionally, she made her Stardom debut in August 2011, teaming with Nanae Takahashi and competing for the Stardom Championship.

Sky later promoted Stardom as her platform, showcasing her talent in various events. Her last match with Stardom before stepping away was in April 2012 alongside notable competitors.

Sky’s career faced a severe obstacle before she made her mark in America due to a scandal in which she and her boyfriend were falsely accused of drug smuggling into Japan. In May 2012, they were arrested at Narita International Airport with marijuana worth around $5,000 concealed in art pieces.

Sky maintained her innocence during her detention, expressing remorse for the turmoil caused, and hoped to regain her fans’ trust while contemplating retirement. Fortunately, days later, another wrestler confessed to planting the drugs, clearing Sky’s name and allowing her to resume her wrestling career.

After returning to Stardom in July 2012, Sky’s fortunes began to rise. Though she faced numerous losses initially, her breakthrough came in March 2013 when she defeated Kaori Youneyama to become the No. 1 contender for the Stardom Championship. She won her first title the following April.

Sky became the MVP of Stardom in 2013 as she successfully defended her championship multiple times. By May 2014, she was a double champion and enjoyed a record reign lasting 468 days until losing the Stardom Championship in August 2014. She continued to achieve glory, holding multiple titles consecutively.

Post her second Stardom title win, Sky began to compete internationally, taking part in events like Lucha Underground and Vendetta Pro Wrestling. She formed a faction in November 2016 called “Queen’s Quest,” with notable successes including breaking her title defense records.

However, injuries took their toll, leading to a break in 2017, after which she returned to her faction and resumed competing. After regaining her Stardom Championship, Sky announced her departure from the promotion and concluded her run with a series of matches against the roster.

Sky concluded her Stardom journey with a total of four singles titles during her tenure from 2011 to 2018, alongside multiple tag team championships.

Sky’s WWE journey didn’t begin without hurdles; after news of her signing leaked in 2016, she underwent a tryout in March 2017. Despite initial setbacks due to health concerns, she cleared medical evaluations and made her first appearance in June 2018 in Tokyo.

Sky kicked off her WWE career with a match in the Mae Young Classic, where she triumphed over Xia Brookside and went on to defeat notable opponents including Rhea Ripley. Though she faced defeat in the tournament, her introduction to WWE was assured, marking the start of her “NXT” era.

Sky made her official NXT debut in November 2018, aiding Kairi Sane during a Takeover event. Her debut match was a victory alongside Dakota Kai against Jessamin Duke and Marina Shafir. Together with Sane, they formed the Sky Pirates tag team.

Sky adopted a heel persona in June 2019, later joining Shayna Baszler’s team for her first Wargames match and competing in the inaugural women’s Survivor Series match. After dealing with injuries, Sky won her first NXT Women’s Championship in June 2020, maintaining the title for 304 days until it was relinquished to Raquel Gonzalez in April 2021.

Following her title reign, she began teaming with Zoe Stark, leading to their NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship victory, and participated in various tournaments afterward.

Sky officially transitioned to the main roster in July 2022, adopting the new ring name Iyo Sky as she joined Bayley and Dakota Kai in Damage CTRL. This faction quickly made an impact, competing against the reigning Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair.

In September, Sky and Kai captured the Women’s Tag Team Championship but lost it shortly after to Asuka and Alexa Bliss. They later regained it in a historic victory at Crown Jewel. Additionally, Sky’s singles pursuit began when she won the Money in the Bank ladder match in July 2023, signaling a new chapter in her career.

Sky clinched the WWE Women’s Championship following a thrilling triple threat match against Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair. She consistently defended her title throughout the year, demonstrating her resilience despite challenges from other top wrestlers.

Though she faced scrutiny during her run, Sky’s tenacity shone through during high-stakes matches. After losing the title to Bayley at WrestleMania 40 following a tumultuous reign, Sky continues to strive for gold, remaining a formidable contender in WWE’s women’s division.

Fans can expect exciting developments as she remains a key player in the women’s wrestling landscape, and her recent performances could set the stage for new rivalries and epic showdowns.