Io Shirai to Return to Stardom, WWE Deal Dropped

Io Shirai will be returning to Japan’s Stardom after her potential deal with the WWE recently fell apart, according to the Wrestling Observer.

The Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported Shirai made a surprise return to Stardom during an August 30th show and announced she was participating in their upcoming Five Star Grand Prix tournament. Shirai was also reported to have contacted the owner of Stardom, Rossy Ogawa, on August 28th stating she was ready to return full-time for the company.

Meltzer stated WWE still being very concerned with the medical status of Shirai’s neck was likely the main reason why the contract offer was pulled. Even though she took time off to rest as requested by the WWE and was recently medically cleared by doctors, WWE management was still uncertain on officially signing her to a deal. WWE’s current rules against signing wrestlers with known concussion and/or neck issues also likely played a role in this decision.

Meltzer did state there is also the possibility of the WWE feeling they already have enough Japanese female stars and new female wrestlers overall from the Mae Young Classic that Shirai was no longer seen as a top priority for the company.