IYO SKY
Lists:
Top 10 Wrestlers of 2025 (So Far)
The Best Finishing Moves in Wrestling History
The Best Wrestling Champion In History
Real Name: Masami Odate
Ring Name(s): IYO SKY (WWE), Io Shirai (NXT, Stardom)
Date of Birth: May 8, 1990
Place of Birth: Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
Height: 5 ft 1 in (155 cm)
Weight: 119 lbs (54 kg)
Billed From: Tokyo, Japan
Debut: March 2007 (Japanese indies)
Current Promotion: WWE (SmackDown brand)
Finishing Move(s): Over the Moonsault, Meteora, German Suplex, Crossface
Career Highlights
| Title/Accolade | Notes |
|---|---|
| WWE Women’s Champion | 1x – Defeated Bianca Belair (Cash-in at SummerSlam 2023) |
| WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion | 2x (with Dakota Kai as Damage CTRL) |
| NXT Women’s Champion | 1x – Held title for over 300 days |
| Mae Young Classic Finalist | 2018 – Lost to Toni Storm |
| Tokyo Sports Joshi Puroresu Grand Prize | 2015, 2017 (prestigious award in Japan) |
| World Wonder Ring Stardom Champion | Multiple reigns, former top star in Japan |
Career Overview
IYO SKY, formerly known as Io Shirai, is a globally renowned Japanese wrestler recognized for her athleticism, aerial artistry, and charisma. Starting in Japan’s Stardom promotion, she built a reputation as one of the best female wrestlers in the world before signing with WWE in 2018.
Her transition to NXT marked an immediate impact—showcasing elite-level matches with names like Shayna Baszler, Candice LeRae, Rhea Ripley, and Charlotte Flair. She captured the NXT Women’s Championship, holding it for over 300 days, establishing herself as a top-tier performer.
In 2022, she was repackaged as IYO SKY on WWE’s main roster and joined Damage CTRL with Bayley and Dakota Kai. She won the Money in the Bank 2023, and later cashed in on Bianca Belair at SummerSlam to become WWE Women’s Champion, elevating herself to main-event status.
In-Ring Style
IYO SKY is nicknamed the “Genius of the Sky” due to her:
- Aerial brilliance – moonsaults, springboards, suicide dives
- Crisp technical wrestling
- Strong-style strikes, inherited from her Japanese training
- Ability to sell, bump, and tell emotional stories in the ring
She’s among the most well-rounded female wrestlers of the modern era.
Character & Persona
IYO SKY blends:
- Mystique and confidence – often calm, yet explosive
- Intense focus and a warrior’s demeanor
- Speaks limited English on promos but delivers maximum impact with presence and in-ring storytelling
Her character thrives on action more than words, making her captivating across cultures and languages.
Damage CTRL (Faction)
- Bayley (Leader)
- IYO SKY (Aerial expert, former Women’s Champion)
- Dakota Kai (Tactician and tag partner)
- Occasionally assisted by Kairi Sane and Asuka in later iterations
Damage CTRL has been one of the most visible factions in WWE’s women’s division since 2022.
Notable Matches
- vs. Bianca Belair – SummerSlam 2023 (Cash-in title win)
- vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka – WWE Fastlane 2023 (Triple threat title defense)
- Candice LeRae – NXT TakeOver: Toronto (Street Fight classic)
- Sasha Banks, Bayley, Becky Lynch – Numerous high-level matches on Raw/SmackDown
- WarGames matches – Known for fearless spots from the cage
Background & Fun Facts
- Trained by Takashi Iizuka and the Sendai Girls dojo
- Former part of the high-flying “Triple Tails” faction in Japan (with her sister Mio Shirai)
- Highly decorated in Stardom, including top singles titles and tag titles
- Known for her flawless moonsault, considered one of the best in wrestling
- Ranked highly on PWI Women’s 100, often in the top 10
Social Media
- Instagram: @iyo_sky
- Twitter/X: @Iyo_SkyWWE
Suggested Fan Ranking Lists
- Top High-Flying Wrestlers in WWE History
- Best NXT Women’s Champions of All Time
- Top Women’s Matches of the 2020s
- WWE’s Most Stylish Finishers (Over the Moonsault!)
- Greatest Japanese Wrestlers in WWE History
- Best Women’s Faction Performers
Legacy and Impact
IYO SKY represents the next generation of international wrestling stars, combining elite in-ring ability with global appeal. Her seamless transition from Joshi Puroresu to WWE’s main stage has inspired many aspiring wrestlers worldwide. As a champion in both NXT and WWE, she continues to break barriers for Japanese female talent in the West.
